Statin (cholesterol lowering) drugs can cause significant side effects.

In the past few years the reference ranges for cholesterol have been lowered and more people are being diagnosed with high cholesterol levels unnecessarily.  The drug of choice to lower cholesterol levels are called Statins.  You might recognize them by some of their more common names including Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor to name a few.  These drugs actually work by inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol.  This might sound like a good idea in some cases of very high cholesterol levels but their use comes with a price.  Many of these Statin drugs have significant side effects including severe muscle pain, fatigue, joint aches, liver dysfunction and depletion of CoQ10 levels in the heart tissue.  Physicians are required to monitor liver enzymes are a regular basis to ensure no damage is occurring.

There are many natural alternatives to lower cholesterol if it is truly a problem.  These include fiber, fish oils, plant sterols, red rice yeast extract, and pantethine to name a few.  The dosing varies depending on the severity of the problem and what other lipids are out of range.  It is best to work with a Naturopathic or Holistic Doctor in order to ensure the correct dose of these products and to have proper blood monitoring. 

If you are concerned about your cholesterol level and are looking for an alternative to Stain drugs, we can review your bloodwork and prescribe the appropriate nutraceuticals for you.

What I will address in the future is the fact that cholesterol is necessary in our bodies and is often not the underlying problem, but often a symptom of a more serious imbalance.  When deciding whether to lower your cholesterol with a drug or a natural agent, always discuss with your doctor other factors such as blood sugars, triglycerides, LDL, HDL and liver function.

Yours in good health,

Dr. Jennifer Wicher ND

Medical Director

Synergy Natural Medicine Clinic