By now we are all familiar with the class of cholesterol lowering drugs called statins. A recent study, which was actually looking to see if statins cause liver toxicity, found that not only were statins clearly correlated with increased liver enzymes, they were also associated with increased cancer risk.¹

Another trial was looking to find out if a newer combination drug for cholesterol lowering, called Vytorin, could prevent the progression of aortic heart-valve disease– they found out it did not. Other findings from the study were a mixed bag of good and bad, but of great concern was that more people taking the drug ended up getting cancer, compared to those on placebo — 40% more.²

A re-analysis of the data from some of these trials was done to see if the cholesterol lowering drugs really did increase cancer risk or if that occurred by chance — the authors came away convinced the increased cancer risk was a fluke. Interestingly though, a group of editors of the New England Journal of Medicine said in effect, “Not so fast,” because they calculated that the odds that this finding was just by chance could be as low as 7 in 1000.³

In the meantime, another study has suggested that it may not be the drugs that are increasing the cancer risk, but the low LDL levels (LDL is considered the “bad” type of cholesterol). This study followed Chinese patients with type II diabetes who had no previous history of cancer. Those with an LDL level of 107 had a 33% increased risk of cancer and death, and those with an LDL level of 87 had a 50% increased risk.⁴As the LDL decreased, cancer risk increased. It will be awhile before the issue is completely sorted out, and I am glad to see that at least some experts are concerned by these results.

But even with the increased risks, most of these researchers and medical organizations such as the American College of Cardiology are not suggesting that people who are on statins to manage heart disease stop taking them.⁵ Why? Because heart disease is a more immediate threat.

So what should you do? If you are currently being treated for serious heart disease, obviously you can’t just jump ship based on these headlines. But here is my take on it. If I had high cholesterol and my doctor was recommending I go on statin drugs to prevent heart disease, I would try other measures first.

I have always been leery of statin drugs due to their CoQ10 depleting effects. CoQ10 is a potent antioxidant, it shuttles energy-providing fatty acids into the heart muscle, and it helps reduce insulin resistance, the inflammatory condition that is at the root of most heart disease. So, CoQ10 has very heart protective effects. At the very least, I recommend taking extra CoQ10, if you are going to take a statin.

These new concerns give us yet another reason to think very seriously before deciding to use statins. In fact, I don’t know why it is so hard to believe that anything that lowers LDL so low could have such profound effects on our body. Remember, LDL is lowered because total cholesterol is lowered. Cholesterol is the raw material for many hormones in the body — our sex hormones included. Sex hormones do more than just create a sex drive; they are needed for numerous functions in the body including our insulin function, which is a key player in the health of our artery linings.

In most cases, I would consider cholesterol-lowering drugs only if all natural methods have been exhausted. At our clinic, we achieve very good improvements in lipid profiles by, first and foremost, aggressively addressing insulin resistance with the combination of our Metabolic Code diet, exercise, and specific supplements, like chromium, magnesium, and bitter melon. In addition, other supplements like aged garlic, fish oil, plant sterols/stanols, red yeast rice extracts, and niacin can provide a variety of benefits.

We pick and choose according to the person’s needs. Using a comprehensive approach, we also make sure to address the effects of stress on the body, to achieve adequate thyroid function, and to address all possible contributors to oxidative stress, such as heavy metals. The point is there are many avenues to investigate and address before giving up on natural approaches.

If statins are necessary, we recommend using them at the lowest dosage possible while making sure to supplement with CoQ10, which numerous studies have shown helps high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar regulation — all of which will further support your fight against heart disease.^6-9

And pertinent to this discussion, one study even found partial and complete regressions of breast cancer with CoQ10.¹⁰ And by all means I would not buy into the current medical thinking that “the lower the LDL, the better.” Research so far seems to show this is not the case.

References

1. Alsheikh-Ali, A. J Am Coll Cardiol., July 31, 2007; vol 50: 409-418.
2. Rossebo A et al. NEJM. Sept 25, 2008. 359 (13): 1343-56.
3. Drazen J, et al. NEJM. Sept. 25, 2008 359(13): 191398-99.
4. CMAJ. August 26, 2008; 179 (5). doi:10.1503/cmaj.071474.
5. http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/news/20070723/very-low-ldl-may-mean-more-cancer-risk.
6. Langsjoen P et al. Molec Aspects Med. 1994;15:s265- s272.
7. Marz W, Wieland H. HMG-CoA reducatse inhibition: anti-inflammatory effects beyond lipid lowering. Herz. 2000;25(6):117-25.
8. McCarty MF. Med Hypotheses. 2000;54(5):786-793.
9. Singh RB, et al. J Hum Hypertens. 1999;13(3):203-208.
10. Lockwood K, et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun.1994;199(3):1504-1508.

[Ed. Note: James LaValle is the founding Director of the LaValle Metabolic Institute, one of the largest integrative medicine practices in the country. Dr. LaValle is the author of the bestselling book Cracking the Metabolic Code: 9 Keys to Optimal Health and is the Executive Editor of THB's The Healing Prescription. To learn more, click here.]

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