Statins

mar ‘22 - Our results are in agreement with the existing evidence about positive association between statins, vascular calcification, and increase on oxidized phospholipids that are harmful to life.

feb ‘22-Here is an article that reviews several studies involving statins. The summary is that statins do not reduce mortality. They do reliably reduce cholesterol levels, but there is a major debate as to whether this is helpful for overall health, cardiovascular or otherwise. https://sebastianrushworth.com/2020/07/28/do-statins-save-lives/

They do, indeed, reduce negative outcomes (19% to ≤ ~33%, at the cost of “bruised” or damaged mitochondria. The inhibition of cellular synthesis triggers & the limited upregulation of the Apo-B (LDL-P)-Receptors (mainly hepatic) with a small, but limited reduction in Apo-B (LDL-P) a.k.a. the atherogenic particles, which is what is the core driver of the disease process.

This can predispose Brain/CNS tissue to damage, resulting in memory loss & a potential acceleration of dementia-Alzheimer’s. The brain/CNS has no Apo-B (LDL-P)-Receptors, so inhibiting synthesis leaves these tissues particularly vulnerable.

2 common lipid disorders [in my opinion] should never receive statin therapy:

- Elevated Lp(a)

- Elevated serum xenosterols (plant sterols/cholesterol)

Not only does statin monotherapy provide ANY benefit, the data shows a clear pattern of INCREASED CV risk. Both parameters, when measured, INCREASE substantially with statin use.

‘20 - It has long been controversial whether or not a longevist, even one who fully guards against the negative cardiovascular effects of high cholesterol levels, should still take statins or not. The main reason for the negativity of most longevists toward statins (including me) is because statins inhibit the mevalonate pathway which is the same pathway that produces CoQ10, a very necessary mitochondrial compound. Because of this I have always recommended to anyone taking statins that they should generously supplement CoQ10.

However, the following review is a very complete review of the anti-aging benefits of statins which has started to cause me to change my mind about them, as long as I continue to take ample CoQ10 at the same time.

Effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors on ageing: Molecular mechanismshttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2020.101024 Accumulating evidence has documented several pleiotropic
effects of statins in addition to their lipid-lowering properties. Recently, several studies have highlighted that statins may have the potential to delay the ageing process and inhibit the onset of senescence.

BUT A 2021 ARTICLE STATES THAT STATINS CAUSE HEART ATTACKS BY CALCIFYING ARTERIES! Our results are in agreement with the existing evidence about positive association between statins and vascular calcification. They enlighten to a certain extent the possible mechanisms through which statins may enhance calcium accumulation in arterial wall, namely, by inhibition of vitamin K dependent proteins and functions involved in vascular protection.

(see my essay on cholesterol with link to the statin paper)  https://www.nutritionconsensus.org/cholesterol