It sounds OK. Didn't go into it much. The only thing that statins do that other medications don't do better (it seems) is stabilize the plaque on the arteries. This is important as it is not hard fibrous plaque which is dangerous but the soft stuff that can rupture easily and without warning.
Whether or not Statins de-oxidize cholesterol is a mystery. It is only oxidized cholesterol that is dangerous as far as plaque formation. We do know that statins reduce total cholesterol, and that correlates well with reduced incidence of disease and greater comfort to artherosclerotic people. The reduction process must also do something else.
Unfortunately the most important factors, those of increased longevity and reduced death from all causes are not associate either with statin use, nor is reduced cholesterol!(associated with longevity) This is notwithstanding Dr. Cooper's data that correlated a much reduced incidence of heart attack and stroke from a reduction of cholesterol to about the 180 mg/dl level. Low levels of cholesterol however, which are not quantified in the quotes we hear, is not associated with sudden death from heart attack amongst older people.. say above the age of 60. 70% of deadly heart attacks occur to people who are low in total cholesterol. What other problems they may have may be more important however. High triglycerides, high c-reactive protein, high homocysteine, high alpoliprotein-a and high triglycerides however are very much associated with death by HA. Do these factors often correlate highly with LOW total cholesterol? hmmmmmmmmm
Some statins were patented originally with COQ10 added to their mix. None made it to market in that form. It was recognized that the reduction of liver enzymes by statin use was potentially dangerous. Supplementing with COQ10 or their precursors would appear to be a good idea if one using statins, guggulipid or even niacin. It might be a good idea to use phospatidyl choline and silymarin as well to support a healthy liver.
The medication that is most associated with longer life, extended benefits after cessation and decrease in triglycerides, cholesterol, apolipoprotein-a, homocysteine, and an increase in HDL, is niacin, or in its more effective form, inositol hexanicotinate. Since 1955, niacin has proven to be the most effective drug in terms of increasing longevity amongst heart patients. It should be noted that hard numbers with regard to repeat heart attack and stroke frequency amongst former heart attack and stroke patients vis a vis statins vs niacin/IH6 are not known to this respondent.
Does niacin stabilize the endothelium of the arteries as statins appear to do? If niacin/IH6 are associated with longer life, it might appear so, but specific data is need to draw conclusions. Cooper used to prescribe statins AND niacin, and that is a frequent prescription in this day and age.
BTW, regarding the effects of Total Balance, the increase in testosterone would not sit well with some workers. They might feel that this could increase the risk of prostate cancer.
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