Not an MD, but my question is, why do you think a statin will help you reduce your risk for CVD? I’d suggest you apply critical thinking to this problem, which I have found, is often lacking within the medical profession. Critical thinking has 3 components: 1. Challenge Assumptions, 2. Reason through Logic. 3. Get diversified opinions.
I would challenge the “Lipid Hypothesis”, that elevated cholesterol causes heart disease. In fact, from what I have read, this hypothesis has been proven false. The correlation between elevated LDL and total cholesterol and heart disease is not convincing. For those that are metabolically healthy, a triglyceride to HDL ratio of close to 1:1, and normal fasting blood glucose, and other factors, there is even lower correlation. In a recent discussion between Dr. Peter Attia and Dr. Thomas Dayspring they discussed that heart disease is, “multi complex, multi factor.” It’s not just cholesterol. As the physicist Richard Feynman would say, if your prediction does not match your experiment, your hypothesis is false. It’s just that simple. In fact, lowering LDL can have many negative health side effects.
The hypothesis that I have found to be most supported by data is that insulin resistance is a driver of heart disease, not elevated cholesterol. Interesting that Type 2 diabetics are 60% more likely to develop heart disease.
I would suggest you listen to a recent podcast discussion with the Cardiologist Dr. Nadir Ali, on the “Fat Emperor Podcast”, Episode 60 (march 16, 2020). He does a far better discussion of this than I can.
Why do I care about this. In my late 30’s and early 40’s, I was doing 15 to 20 hours of endurance exercise, and eating a high carb, low fat diet, because the “experts” said you need carbs and you shouldn’t eat animal meats and fat. I had a physical. BP 140 over 90. Triglycerides over 150, HDL below 40, and fasting glucose above 100. MY PCP wasn’t that worried, because “you exercise and eat healthy”. However, I ended up seeing a cardiologist, and I had something thickening of my septum, and as a result, I was put on BP medication and he said, “I might want to put you on a statin”. I never went on a statin.
At that time, a friend sent me an essay on “Evolutionary Fitness” by Art De Vany. This started me down the path of a paleo diet. I also did less endurance training and more weight training and high intensity training (i.e. sprinting). About two years ago, after a soft tissue injury, I met a guy who went on the “carnivore diet” after rotator cuff surgery.
Cut to the chase. My hypothesis is that the epidemic of chronic disease, heart disease, obesity, Type 2 diabetes is being driven by processed food. Grains, sugar, and processed vegetable/seed oils (canola, vegetable, etc…) are the primary culprits. If you want to be healthy, those should be eliminated. If man made, don’t eat it.
My N=1 results. 18 months ago I went on a 90% carnivore diet, primarily, red meat (lots of it), organ meats, fish, some chicken, eggs, a little dairy, lots of bone broth. The other 10% is the occasional vegetable, fruit or treats (ice cream, cake, pizza once a month). This is also a low carb diet, so I am now “fat adapted.”
My wife and kids thought I was crazy. They said wait until your next physical or colonoscopy. Here are the results: BP went from 130’s over high 80’s to no higher than 120 over 80. HDL from 45 to 56 (good). Triglycerides from 129 to 76 (good). TRI/HDL ratio from 2.86 to 1.35 (good). Fasting glucose from 101 to 92. LDL from 118 to 148 (I don’t see this as bad). As for the colonoscopy, I’m in my 50’s and have one every 5 years because of family history. My doctor said, “looks great, even better than last time”. So much for needing fiber (that hypothesis is just wrong). The thickening in my septum has resolved. I am on NO meds.
Other benefits, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, stubborn belly fat has melted away, and at my last eye appointment, my eyesite had actually improved. Since I’m fat adapted, I don’t need food to have energy and can easily go all day without eating. Lastly, the “morning wood” is more common than it used to be.
I’m not telling you to NOT take a statin. I don’t know your details. But I do know this. I was told from a very good cardiologist at one of the best hospitals in the country that I would be on BP medication for the rest of my life, and that my septum would likely never normalize. WRONG. 4 primary care physicians and 3 cardiologists only offered me medications, none told me how to actually determine the root cause and cure the problem.
I used critical thinking. I tend to be skeptical. I do my own research. When I have an acute injury, I have confidence in my doctors ability to fix it. But when it comes to “chronic” health conditions, the medical industrial complex is failing us. As Chris Rock would say, “they don’t cure shit. They get you on the comeback.” Follow the money.
I suspect I will get a bunch of doctors accusing me of spreading disinformation. They’ll point to this study, or that study. But I know how that game works. Everything I’ve said here is what I’ve learned from doctors, who are actually using critical thinking. At the end of the day, all I know is this, I’m healthier in my mid 50’s than I’ve ever been, and compared to most 20 year olds, and getting better everyday. I strongly urge you to investigate alternatives. I doubt you will regret it.
I will say it again. No grains, no sugar, no vegetable/seed oils.
Good luck. I hope you find a good solution that works for you, and keeps you healthy.
