Hi again Kieran-Telo
Two articles I’d seen which had a decent level of detail. They are both from the Epoch Times.
The first highlights the problem of insulin resistance caused by statins and makes a case for niacin (vitamin B3) instead which may have the pluses without the minuses. I’m not sure if the situation of secondary prevention has been considered separately though.
The second puts forward 3 natural products from a cardio viewpoint, as told by alternative/natural practitioners. According to whom (if I’ve read it right that is; the take home message is…stay at home and read it. Please don’t rely on my attempts to pot it! 
) inflammation rather than LDL cholesterol is in the van as the pathway to heart attacks.
The three products already have pedigree in cardiovascular-related areas away from the pharma world; nattokinase is advocated by FLCCC as one of the first lines for long covid/long vaccine which overlaps with clotting etc. (I’m not medical so neither are my overlaps). Berberine has ancient history in TCM, and has a growing shout among cancer researchers, and of course patients. I don’t know anything about bergamot except the claims made here.
ED
Statins: The Lesser-Known Dangers, and a Good Alternative
By Vance Voetberg
8/12/2023Updated: 10/21/2024
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For decades, statins—the most common cholesterol-lowering medications—have been recognized as a lifesaver for those with heart disease. Although statins have positively revolutionized heart health, some studies highlight the lesser-known concerns of the medication: energy-sapping, increased diabetes risk, and, for many people, muscle pain.
Puzzling Link Between Statins, Insulin Resistance
A recent systematic review of 11 epidemiological studies with nearly 47 million participants found associations between statin use and decreased insulin sensitivity, and increased insulin resistance—both significant factors for developing Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, statins were found to reduce glycemic control and elevate fasting glucose levels.
Experts are uncertain about the precise mechanism through which statins might affect insulin resistance, considering their advantages, such as lowering inflammation, decreasing oxidative stress, and enhancing endothelial function—all of which improve insulin sensitivity rather than diminish it.
A 2021 study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology also found that statins can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, but how was unclear. Despite the risks, most researchers and health care professionals still believe statins are more beneficial than harmful.
“It is generally viewed that the strengths of lower cholesterol by a lot outweigh a modest increase in insulin resistance,” Michael Snyder, a genetics professor and chair of the Genetics Department at Stanford University School of Medicine, told The Epoch Times.
But the double-sided nature of statins remains unclear to researchers, according to Dr. Snyder, who has coauthored multiple studies investigating the correlation between statin usage and insulin intolerance.
Lifestyle factors such as obesity also play a major role in insulin resistance, and people can reduce body weight to potentially offset statins’ effects, Dr. Snyder said.
Why Do Statins Drain Energy?
Fatigue and muscle pain seem to be common with statin use. A study of more than 350 statin users found that 93 percent reported muscle pain and fatigue, while 85 percent reported weakness.
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“This is of no surprise because of the well-documented effects that statins have on coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10), which is a primary cofactor for mitochondrial function,” Dr. Node Smith, a board-certified naturopathic physician, told The Epoch Times. Mitochondria create energy for the entire body at the cellular level. Therefore, statins can deplete the body’s cellular energy by depleting CoQ10, he added.
A letter to the editor published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology noted that people taking statins who also supplemented with CoQ10 were less likely to experience chronic fatigue.
Dr. Smith said many of his patients who have taken statins long-term have reported experiencing persistent muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, and brain fog.
“Some of these patients are avid athletes and simply are confused why they can no longer work out,” he added.
“If I see this presentation in someone on a statin medication, I will almost always assume the statin is at least a contributing factor and discuss with the patient its removal and replacement with another therapy.”
Vitamin B3 a Potential Alternative
Statins are commonly used alongside niacin (vitamin B3), which has been recommended for more than 40 years to prevent heart disease because of its positive effect on lipid levels.
Niacin is the most common and effective treatment that replaces statins, according to Dr. Smith.
“Of all the pharmaceutical medications I’ve helped people get off of, statins are the easiest, least concerning, and patients typically have the best results with—because it is not uncommon for them to feel almost instantly better.”
Niacin decreases LDL cholesterol, which can build up plaque in arteries when levels are too high. It also increases HDL cholesterol, which absorbs other forms of cholesterol in the bloodstream and carries it back to the liver for removal, according to a clinical trial of more than 300 people. Additionally, niacin lowers triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood.
Optimized niacin therapy costs patients $15 to $30 per month and is worth trying before statins, Dr. Smith said.
Studies have found that combining niacin and statins may outperform statins alone. Dr. Smith has observed similar results in his practice, although some studies suggest otherwise.
Niacin fell out of favor because of the side effect of niacin flushing, which produces a slight prickly heat sensation for about 30 minutes and can be uncomfortable and concerning for some people, he said.
About 15 years ago, wax-coated niacin tablets were developed. They allow high doses of niacin to be delivered while reducing flushing for most people, according to Dr. Smith. Side-effect management methods such as taking niacin with food or baking soda can also help.
However, Dr. Smith cautioned that people with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic disorder, may need more aggressive therapies, potentially including statins.
Vance Voetberg
Author
3 Alternatives to Statins Might Target the Root of Heart Disease
Mar 12, 2024
(The second article)
3 Alternatives to Statins Might Target the Root of Heart Disease
Explore the potential of natural supplements as alternatives or complements to statins for heart health.
Berberine supplement capsules. Anna Hoychuk/Shutterstock
By Vance Voetberg
3/12/2024Updated: 7/27/2024
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Statins have been the go-to treatment for preventing heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, for decades. But they may not be the cure-all they’ve been made out to be.
These cholesterol-lowering drugs fail to address what experts say is one of the key root causes of cardiovascular issues: inflammation from oxidized blood lipids.
Mounting research indicates that natural supplements such as berberine, nattokinase, and bergamot are nutraceuticals with effects that may succeed where statins fall short.
Understanding the Root of the Problem
Oxidized blood lipids refer to fats in the bloodstream that have undergone oxidation, a process in which molecules lose electrons. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly known as “bad” cholesterol, can become oxidized because of various factors, including smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high levels of other reactive substances in the body.
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When LDL cholesterol is oxidized, it can contribute to plaque formation in the arteries. This plaque can narrow the arteries and restrict blood flow, leading to atherosclerosis, which is the thickening or hardening of the arteries and can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The nutraceuticals described below can help, but it’s important to know that none of these can replace a healthy lifestyle or negate harmful habits, such as smoking, that can cause disease.
The Chinese Super Berry: Berberine
Berberine has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Primarily found in the Chinese barberry plant, berberine is a plant compound that boasts multifaceted benefits ranging from enhanced cognitive function to controlled blood glucose levels to fortifying the immune system.
“There’s a lot of quality data on berberine and a good safety profile,” Dr. Jack Wolfson, a board-certified cardiologist, said.
Berberine is a compound that can be found in barberry plants. amtiko/Shutterstock
Cardio Benefits
A recent meta-analysis of 44 studies found that berberine improved blood lipids, inflammation, and atherosclerosis with minimal risks. It also outperformed statins in reducing factors such as stroke risk and artery plaque buildup.
Anti-Diabetic Benefits
One-third of people with Type 2 diabetes also have cardiovascular disease, according to a review published in Cardiovascular Diabetology. The two metabolic diseases are often interconnected. People with diabetes have a doubled risk of developing heart disease or experiencing a stroke in comparison to those without diabetes.
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Emerging research also highlights berberine’s anti-diabetic potential. Studies show it may lower blood glucose, triglycerides, and insulin. One 2009 paper called it the “ideal medicine” for treating Type 2 diabetes, and a 2023 report found that berberine outperformed metformin, a drug that lowers blood glucose levels, in treating obesity and controlling blood lipids.
“If someone needs both lipids and glucose lowered, berberine is my first go-to,” Angela Sadlon, a licensed naturopathic physician, told The Epoch Times. But high doses may cause cramping or loose stools, she noted, adding that working with a holistic doctor can prevent side effects.
The Japanese Superfood: Natto
Natto is a traditional fermented soybean dish widely consumed throughout Japan for thousands of years. Nattokinase, an enzyme from the fermented soy food natto, has been researched for its potential cardiovascular benefits.
“Nattokinase is an enzyme that breaks down unwanted blood clots in the blood circulation,” Gitte Jensen, research director at NIS Labs, a contract research laboratory, told The Epoch Times. Nattokinase can break down problematic blood clots by “digesting” fibrin, a protein that plays a central role in blood clotting.
“Fibrin is a molecule that is only wanted when we have a wound and we need to repair the wound,” Ms. Jensen said. However, when the body is inflamed, clumps of fibrin can form, contributing to atherosclerosis, she said.
Natto is a traditional fermented soybean dish widely consumed throughout Japan for thousands of years. beauty-box/Shutterstock
Studies since the 1980s have explored whether nattokinase supplements could help prevent cardiovascular events and strokes.
While some studies found nattokinase didn’t provide meaningful cardiovascular protection, more recent research found higher-dose nattokinase improved biomarkers in people with atherosclerosis and high blood lipids.
One 2022 study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine found that supplementing nattokinase for a year effectively managed atherosclerosis and high lipid levels. Another study showed nattokinase reduced plaque buildup by 36.6 percent compared to 11.5 percent for statins.
Nattokinase prevents plaque buildup, a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, according to Dr. David Brownstein, a board-certified family physician. Statins are often ineffective for this, he said.
A Mediterranean Moment: Bergamot
Grown mainly along the coast of Italy, bergamot is a lime-like citrus fruit that Italians have prized for centuries. Its medicinal use as an anti-infectious agent dates back to at least 1688. This century, bergamot has shown promise for managing blood lipids and promoting heart health.
Researchers attribute these potential heart-protective effects to bergamot’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Bergamot is a lime-like citrus fruit that Italians have prized for centuries. ISEN STOCKER/Shutterstock
One study on 80 people with high cholesterol found that six months of bergamot supplementation significantly lowered levels of small, dense LDL particles—the type most prone to oxidation.
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Bergamot can effectively reduce triglycerides and total LDL cholesterol, a 2019 systematic review published in Food Science and Nutrition concluded. However, the authors noted that research on bergamot is still limited and that more studies are needed to determine its efficacy and optimal dosing fully.
The Complete Solution
While the above foods and supplements can help, true reversal of heart disease requires comprehensive changes, Dr. Wolfson told The Epoch Times. Eating a wholesome diet and avoiding inflammatory foods is essential, he said.
While nutraceuticals may help lower biomarkers for heart disease, they don’t address the root lifestyle causes that lead to cardiovascular issues in the first place.
Regular exercise, adequate sleep, sun exposure, and minimizing environmental toxins also contribute to optimal heart health in the long-term.
“Eat well, live well, think well” is Dr. Wolfson’s mantra.
Vance Voetberg
Author
