Lipitor and other similar statin drugs are causing neural and muscular cell degeneration by over-restricting the production of cholesterol. This is a very serious matter indeed. There are almost twenty million people in the U.S. on Lipitor alone, and millions more on other statin drugs (Zocor, Pravachol, Mevacor, Altocor, Lescol, Crestor, etc.). Many millions more are now having statin drugs recommended to them by their medical doctors. Are they all going to become victims of cell membrane degeneration and nervous system problems?

Very few long term studies have been published on this.  A question we need to ask….Why not?

Numerous adverse side effect reports have implicated Lipitor and other statin drugs as a probable cause for severe neuromuscular degeneration. Some people who have been using Lipitor for as little as two months report serious muscle weakness and pain. Some who have taken it longer report much more serious symptoms, similar to Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis or ALS - Lou Gehrig's Disease - in which they are losing neuromuscular control of their bodies or losing significant muscle mass. Others have reported serious liver and kidney damage. Still others have been told that they have nvCJD, the human equivalent of mad cow disease.

The problem is this: cholesterol is essential in your body for many functions. It forms part of what is called the cell membrane - the semi-permeable outer layer of every cell in your body. It also transports essential fatty acids (EFAs) to cell membranes throughout the body. Without enough cholesterol there is an insufficient supply of these EFAs, and eventually nerve cells and neurons die. In addition, our tissues are constantly being repaired and replaced with new cells, and without sufficient cholesterol this cellular repair and replacement cannot continue.

Lipitor also blocks the production of an essential micronutrient called Co-Q10, necessary to maintain heart muscle health, and Lipitor has no effect on lipoprotein(a), the actual sticky protein that constitutes heart disease "plaques." So instead of preventing heart disease, Lipitor may be increasing heart disease risk!

Studies comparing individuals on Statin Meds versus no treatment have shown that the individuals in the no treatment group outlive the group on drugs.  How is this?  Drugs have serious side effects.  Every drug has many side effects most are associated with liver and kidney damage.  

We are a society that has stopped focusing on health.  We focus on the symptoms.  High cholesterol like high blood pressure or a fever is a symptom.  Instead of simply chemically modulating the symptoms, let us ask "Why?" again and again and not simply accept a cover up to one of America's leading causes of death.

Yours in Health,

- Dr. M