How Much Longer Do You Live on Statins?

What are the pros and cons of relative risk versus absolute risk versus number-needed-to-treat versus average postponement of death taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs?
New subscribers to our e-newsletter always receive a free gift. Get yours here: nutritionfacts...
This is the last in my four-part series on statins. If you missed any installments, check out:
• Who Should Take Statins? (nutritionfacts...)
• Are Doctors Misleading Patients About Statin Risks and Benefits? (nutritionfacts...)
• The True Benefits vs. Side Effects of Statins (nutritionfacts...)
I previously produced a related series on stents, including:
• Do Angioplasty Heart Stent Procedures Work? (nutritionfacts...)
• Why Angioplasty Heart Stents Don’t Work Better (nutritionfacts....)
• The Risks of Heart Stents (nutritionfacts....)
• Angioplasty Heart Stent Risks vs. Benefits (nutritionfacts....)
• Do Heart Stent Procedures Work for Angina Chest Pain? (nutritionfacts....)
• Why Are Stents Still Used If They Don’t Work? (nutritionfacts....)
• Heart Stents and Upcoding: How Cardiologists Game the System (nutritionfacts....)
All of these videos are available in a digital download of a webinar I did last year, which also includes the stent series. You can find it here (drgreger.org/c....
Have a question about this video? Leave it in the comment section at nutritionfacts.... and someone on the NutritionFacts.org team will try to answer it.
Want to get a list of links to all the scientific sources used in this video? Click on Sources Cited at nutritionfacts.... You’ll also find a transcript and acknowledgements for the video, my blog and speaking tour schedule, and an easy way to search (by translated language even) through our videos spanning more than 2,000 health topics.
Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM
Captions for this video are available in several languages; you can find yours in the video settings. View important information about our translated resources: nutritionfacts...
NutritionFacts...
• Subscribe: nutritionfacts...
• Donate: nutritionfacts...
• Podcast : nutritionfacts...
• Facebook: NutritionFacts.org
• Twitter: nutrition_facts
• Instagram: nutrition_facts_org
• Books: nutritionfacts...
• Shop: drgreger.org

[@joetrolo7076]

And if it gives you Alzheimer's, who wants to live longer? In most cases, a diet change could solve this problem. My goal is to be on no pharmaceutical drugs on a daily basis. Almost all the problems with People's Health in this country start with too much sugar and bad diet.

[@kayallen7603]

Taking statins = diabetes, muscle and joint problems, memory loss, and yes, Alzheimer's and dementia. So then you're in home which slowly bankrupts your family - just to drop your cholesterol which as of 2018 the AMA has said is NO LONGER A CRITERION OF CONCERN because your total cholesterol is under genetic control regardless of how much any one eats.

[@MrTantriq]

He said it was protective against Alzheimer’s.

[@earlr2992]

And also taking too many drugs with a bunch of side effects. Doctors prescribe drugs like candy especially prednisone.

[@jukerdanz]

Statins do not give you Alzheimer’s disease. You are more likely to get Alzheimer’s if you have high Cholesterol.

[@williammorgan7769]

@@MrTantriqhe’s wrong. Statins cause dementia.

[@arkrainflood]

every statin i have taken had negative side effects. so my risk benefit calculation: 100% chance of brain fog/flatulence/joint stiffness/muscle weakness vs a small possibility of life extension.

[@gregwilvert]

Or eat healthy every day and enjoy a longer, healthier life.

[@kayallen7603]

Stop taking statins, they do more harm than good. The AMA no longer considers your cholesterol to be of any concern because your level is being controlled by your genes.

[@zeroedout]

Assuming we take statins at 40 and the average death is at 80, I'd rather risk dying 3years earlier than live with the side effects for 40 years on statins

[@prosewat99]

You can’t know side effects until you take them. The incidence of side effect is low 2-3%. There are currently 90,000,000 people on statins in the US alone. It is the most prescribed medication in the world. If you take out immunizations and antibiotics they are arguably saving and extending life for more people than any other human intervention. If you are struck by side effect there are PSK-9 inhibitors that work great too with no known side effects. But $500-$1000 per month vs $5 per month. The data is hard to ignore if you can wade through the endless ego battles of diet fundamentalism.

[@humblecourageous3919]

My husband and I have been 100% vegetarian for 49 years. We are both in our early 70s now. I had a CAC scan in 2017 and it was 107 (not good). My husband's score was zero (perfect!). We ate essentially the same diet. I took a statin for 2 years due to that CAC scan but it made me limp around everywhere. Also the plaque in my arteries increased 85% in that two years. My new CAC score was 193. I stopped the statins. The limp went away. I continued to take K2, D3, magnesium and aged garlic. In two more years, the plaque in my arteries decreased 18% for a CAC score of 164. My conclusion is that for some people statins can increase the arterial plaque. My last cholesterol test was 249. My new doctor is allowing me to try turmeric for that. I also added lecithin which is supposed to decrease cholesterol. I won't know until 6 months. Regardless, the K2, D3, magnesium reduced plaque. I know the calculations of HDL and total cholesterol can say you have a very bad chance of a heart attack. I just don't know why if plaque is being reduced or like my husband, if he has no plaque. (I should add that I have absolutely no body pain anywhere. I also exercise 5 days a week.) EDIT: LECITHIN LOWERED MY CHOLESTEROL TO 199, BUT MY NEXT CAC SCAN WAS 297. I AM NOT TAKING LECITHIN ANYMORE. Turmeric gave me gallbladder attacks. Whenever Iower my cholesterol the arterial plaque increases. I now think arterial plaque may be gut related.

[@kayallen7603]

You have to eat fat in order to use K2 effectively.

[@humblecourageous3919]

@@kayallen7603 I take lecithin. Lecithin is a fatty acid. It helps break down fats. It is a fat emulsifier.

[@charlestait5303]

The ONLY thing to look at on your results are your triglycerides to HDL ratio!

[@humblecourageous3919]

@@charlestait5303 I would say the only thing to look at is the plaque decreasing in my arteries despite high cholesterol. Having said that, my cholesterol lowered 31 points in 4 months of 1 tablespoon of sunflower lecithin powder daily. I'm now also using amla.

[@tzenophile]

"Also the plaque in my arteries increased 85% in that two years." I call bullsh!t on this. By what measures, for starters??? Stop making sheet up

[@johnborges5938]

If you can manage to lower your cholesterol by diet and lifestyle changes, that's great -- as long as you actually do it. But for those of us with congenital defects that make it impossible to get cholesterol numbers down to safe levels without drugs, I'm happy to have statins.

[@francinebarr1204]

I’m Off Of Them ❤️

[@EvanDeitrich9]

Woohoo!

[@dontworrybehappy5139]

From what I've researched (I am not a doctor, nor a medical professional), if you have been diagnosed with active heart disease this may not be a wise move. Statins work in helpful ways other than just reducing LDL-C. A WFPB diet is not necessarily a replacement for statins for someone with active disease. I'm pretty certain I've heard Dr. Greger and other WFPB doctors state this in the past.

[@ooo789456123]

Great choice, stay on a whole foods plant-based diet, keep fats low and you're good. My LDL is now 68 and 10 years ago it was 135.

[@garyradley5694]

Look for information about the former ABC ( Australian Broadcasting Commission ) medical investigational journalist Dr. Maryanne Demasi , who attempted from 2013 to initiate debate about the use of statins. She ended up being silenced by by her employer with a gag order, and her TV program "Catalyst" was cancelled, with all members from the executive producer down all sacked. Her very logical and extensive investigation showed that it was impossible to gain access to any of the statin research. She was continually told that the research shows that statins were safe and that you will just have to trust us on that. The only problem is that the authorities holding the statin research were financed by the pharmaceutical industries! No different to a drug carte saying that fentanyl is completely safe to use.

[@gkrishnan4829]

By the way when a medical body has declared that fat is not substance of concern, meaning the entire story from fat causes heart attack (as declared by the then surgeon general when a president got a heart attack and he loved his fries) to cholesterol to lipids to HDL and LDL and good fat and bad fat is big fiasco, whether statins need to be prescribed at all. Go to the basic question, whether lipids in blood need to be reduced at all. Apparently yes because all these pharma companies and pharmacies will go bankrupt and pharmacists will end jobless if docs stop prescription of statins. Apparently that seems to be the bottom line.

[@markshipley560]

Exactly! If the food industry were to stop making us sick, then big pharma couldn't sell us all these drugs. You know the drugs with all those side effects that require additional medications. Hmmm... how convenient!

[@pbziegler]

"unless you are willing to change your lifestyle." I favor that alternative.

[@67daltonknox]

But getting people at risk to change their diets, exercise or stop smoking is extremely difficult, whereas taking a pill is relatively easy.

[@jancerivet9745]

Statins are terrible

[@jasonclark901]

I have two questions/problems with taking statins: 1. Do we reduce cholesterol so much that we cannot make Vit. D from sunlight effectively? 2. Dr. Gregor hasn't discussed the issue of higher incidence of diabetes among statin takers here. I've read it's significant. A further issue is that the benefits of statins are not evenly distributed: some may live several years longer, others only a few months or not at all.

[@purpleblueunicorn]

1. No, most people will still have a higher cholesterol than WFPDieters that have 50mg/dL will produce adequate Vit D from sun. 2. Better having diabetes and than being dead. We know statins have a ton of bad side effects, that wasn't the point of the video. I thought he described the asymmetry with the babies vaccine analogy.

[@masterchief4868]

The main side effect of statins is depletion of CoQ10, which you can solve by supplementing it 100-200 mg daily. Cheers.

[@l21n18]

@@purpleblueunicorn Some people might question that, but then again having diabetes also has a detrimental effect on one's lifespan from what I understand and itself is a risk factor for heart attacks. That's not to say the benefits don't outweigh the risks for certain people, it's just that I know people that are on all these drugs for cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and it feels frustrating because it's like the doctors just give them a bag of pills, even if they extend their life , these conditions still have a very detrimental effect on quality of life, it would be like if they developed a drug to prevent lung cancer from smoking so people who smoke won't die from it, I think we'd all agree that there are many other reasons to not smoke besides dying from cancer. Having said this I think Dr. Greger is his best to be fair, not being ideological in and trying to get pulled into a drugs vs. diet war.

[@purpleblueunicorn]

@@l21n18 Usually doctors will prescribe statins or other medication according to the country's guidelines. They have tables for risk factor, so for instance if you turn 60, bmi not optimal and cholesterol a bit on the high side, even if normal range, they will give statins. I don't think there's any corruption here, based on statistics, they will improve mortality and I guess they weighted the cost benefit with morbidity. Most people will chose pills versus better diet and exercise, but it's true a lot are not informed. Although informing someone of a better SAD diet won't help and that's the only think doctors know.

[@l21n18]

@@purpleblueunicorn its not about corruption, its about this kind of practice, just look at the guidelines give em the pills.

[@EvanDeitrich9]

Oatmeal is my statin. I take it everyday

[@aaronsands4846]

Same. With 3-5 different berries and flax and chia and banana and walnut and spices etc. Underrated.

[@andrewjones5973]

Okay.... Good for you?

[@SilverMusik333]

Some say steel cut oats have benefits. I love them BUT others say oatmeal is from a grain and grains are carbs and carbs turn into sugar. Hmmmm

[@SET12DSP]

Grains are highly inflammatory no thank you!

[@snehalkrishnan618]

@@SilverMusik333carbs are the bodies fuel source, you can’t live an active lifestyle without carbs.

[@delbeveridge7291]

There is also evidence that statins can lead to type 2 diabetes. This is an issue to consider as well

[@stx7389]

How does 5 years = 10 days, translates into whole life or lets say 50 years = 10 years?

[@harveywarne9030]

You do not point out the diabetes it causes, the increased insulin resistance and the muscle damage....there are other adverse effects as well. Yoir credibilty has taken a hit with me.

[@DavidStern-j7x]

This "truthy" statement is why I rely on Dr. Gregor, not randos with a POV.

[@KJSvitko]

Every doctor visit should include nutrition information. There are too many obese adults and children these days.

[@davidl6715]

Not only include but also make the first recommendation rather before than drugs.

[@earlr2992]

You never really see doctors who are in good shape. Doctors themselves need to be taught about nutrition. Most doctors don't have any training in that area at all. All they are taught in medical school is how to diagnose diseases and give you the proper drugs for the disease.

[@paulmaxwell8851]

I know three women, all in their thirties, who stopped going to the doctor because their doctor wanted to address their obesity-related problems. These days, some fat activists call any and all discussions about fat "fat shaming'. It's really too bad they fall for this ideology, as all three will die years too soon.

[@abc_cba]

Statins destroy CoQ-10 and that's just why I quit it. Niacin not only boosts NAD+ levels but cuts down Lp(a) and small-LDL particles. I chose that.

[@stx7389]

Take coq10 and statins, what you take is not always enough

[@forsdykemontague1017]

The 6 year SPARCL study on statins where 15k people split into roughly two groups of 7.5k. The statin group had 20 deaths due to cardiovascular events and 40 in the placebo group showing a claimed 100% improvement. However that’s after excluding deaths from Kidney failure, Liver failure and Myopathy! Including these, then the statin group was 43 and placebo group 20 😂 These numbers are so small I would suggest it’s statistical “noise” and conclude statins are of no use whatsoever other than very slightly increasing your chances of Live/Kidney failure.

[@redjetsen1002]

statins messed my Dad up.

[@marypiver4040]

A patient cured is a customer lost!!!😊

[@adrianbulfon8430]

Sounds like a well-balanced approach; take your statin if indicated and switch to a plant-based diet. Surely the benefits would be even higher when combined.

[@mgfatso]

The benefits would probably be so great that you should be careful not to push cholesterol too low.

[@trevorregay9283]

LOL! We will all live to be 110 years old

[@carl13579]

@@mgfatso There's no evidence that there is a "too low". There is a point of diminishing returns, though.

[@EibaProductions]

This is the actual recommendation in every guideline, which adresses hypercholesterinemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, etc.

[@matkagrogan5251]

😂😂😂

[@GregariousAntithesis]

If i had continued on statins i would at the very least be in a wheel chair. I question if my pre diabetes and especially the POTS was caused from the statins because i did not have any of these issues prior.

[@MR..181]

Nope you would have had a new perscription caused stroke coma caused by new perscription shutting down your kidneys called stroke from whatever the new perscription was supppose to care for, and likely be paralysed if you survive...???

[@EagleMann-z5g]

With the side effects, you're not really living while taking the drugs you're pushing.

[@tom95521]

65 yo. I eat whole food plant based, exercise, and have been on 20mg statin for about 15 years. Doc says it's preventative to keep my LDL low. Not diabetic or overweight. Fingers crossed.

[@kayallen7603]

65, ketovore, refused to take statins, not diabetic, almost underweight (hovering circa 18.5) no health issues and no plants, thank you very much!

[@tom95521]

@@kayallen7603 Whatever works. My wife is slender (5'7 112lbs) but healthy eating just vegetables and sometimes salmon.

[@l21n18]

how low does it need to be?

[@robertclary1718]

​@Kay Allen that me, 67, refused statins, not even close to diabetic, mostly ketovore but will slip in the occasional vegetable. No health issues and I'm at my high school football weight with 29 " waist. I have friends who have been vegan for 30+ years ALL are on numerous medications, ALL take enormous amounts of supplements and most are overweight, some morbidly so. And yet they refuse to admit the lunacy of their diet.

[@tom95521]

@@l21n18 My HDL is 45 and my LDL is 50. Not super high HDL but my LDL is low.

[@JohnnyCatFitz]

yes, if you are like most middle class, live longer and increase your chances of dying alone and neglected in a nursing home while the state forces the sale of your home upon your death to recoup some of the expense. well done America!

[@OurResistance]

First of all let me say, that I find all of the numbers given to us by big pharma and their cronies to be suspect. I have found personally that drugs can have severe side effects which are not even known about! Statins cause my legs to ache very bad, and therefore I can't really take them. Besides, who knows what other bad things they might do. I will try to naturally reduce my cholesterol, but it will probably take time!

[@karimaogden3875]

They also cause diabetes, cataracts, Rhabdomyolisis and cognitive decline.

[@MR..181]

And 300$ to reperscribe is something good?

[@SET12DSP]

People the best thing I ever did was going on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol. It has reversed my CAC by 30%. I'm on no drugs.

[@jojomayone2903]

Information is dated, plagued with errors and not relevant in September 2023.

[@abetterlivedlife]

Is there a study out there yet comparing life expectancy and health difference between similar LDL reductions from statins vs diet?

[@aaronsands4846]

Thank you, Dr. Greger. This is the kind of honest look at drugs and lifestyle that people need to see and understand.

[@jrstf]

I'm quite certain that my plant based diet (cereal and bread primarily) is responsible for most of my health problems.

[@earlr2992]

Cereal and Bread are not a plant based diet.

[@SET12DSP]

Grains bad news. Reversing my CAC with the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol so far by 30% in 20 months.

[@jrstf]

@@earlr2992 - What ingredients in cereal and bread are not from plants?

[@earlr2992]

@@jrstf Oil, butter from cows milk in bread and in cereal there are also other additives that are not vegan. Bread in general is not something you should eat a lot of also because of high carbohydrates. Read your labels

[@jrstf]

@@earlr2992 - I do read labels. Just finished a loaf of pumpernickel. Only possibly non-plant based ingredient is lactic acid. That is, almost the entire loaf is plant based.

[@sonicwoofer2008]

Thank u for sharing ur info in details i have read this in other website that cholesterol is not the culprit of plaques, its calcium and sugar intake causing it all

[@SET12DSP]

Your pretty much correct. The problem is really focal vitamin C deficiency. I'm on the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol reversing my CAC coronary artery calcium artery calcium score from 660 to 458 in 20 months.

[@hkohn7003]

It's not true tha you can lower your LDL just by nuts and vegetables - many people with high LDL already eat relatively healthy, dont smoke or drink and cant make an impact by eating even more healthy. You will make an impact by eating significantly less or fasting plus working out - but how long can you stick to it?

[@NewEarthWellness]

Do the side effects make the quality of life not worth the extra time? What other desease is created by the drug that would make life not worth living? Standing the drug side by side with lifestyle changes that have no bad side effects would be where the truth is.

[@paulasusan63]

I totally agree with you! Why risk the side effects?

[@SET12DSP]

Absolutely why risk it! When the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol is reversing my coronary artery calcium score by a huge 30% in 20 months.

[@stavross3321]

Statins caused diabetes to my mother. We stopped statins after watching many youtube experts and her diabetes reversed in 3 months. Also her memory and the ability to communicate was declining and after quitting the pills her cognitive function partly recovered. Her cardiologist was telling lies to her that she must lower her cholesterol although she had no other risk factors.

[@jp7357]

I e been on a statin for 20 years, at 66yo cac:0, ct.a: no vessel disease, and I’m plant based, you’d have to pry my statin out of my cold dead fingers.

[@hangoutwithabhi]

First comment. Love and respect from India for Dr. Gregor.

[@mskdnejwuibwiunsgertrhjdhrudke]

bullshit

[@smkudva]

Watching this video, I was reminded of an old Mark Twain joke which went something like "I was reading a German mystery novel, and I was completely lost about who the murderer was until I got to the last page, where I found all the verbs". I thought Dr. Greger had changed careers and started shilling statins for big pharma, until the last few seconds when he came back a full circle to the benefits of plant based diets. Phew!!

[@dontworrybehappy5139]

Statins work in other ways than just reducing cholesterol. I don't think Dr. Greger's message is that someone with cardiovascular disease should replace statin therapy with a WFPB diet but rather that a WFPB diet can provide very beneficial changes for cardiac health. Someone with heart disease should be using all the tools that they can in fighting their disease which would include both statins, exercise and a WFPB diet.

[@Oregon696969]

Steak!

[@jonathanduncan2218]

If the side effects make you miserable is it worth it? Doctors do not explain these things. How many people die because they dismiss their heart attack to statins side affects?

[@NutritionFactsOrg]

Hi, Jonathan Duncan! You can find everything on our site related to heart disease here: nutritionfacts.org/topics/heart-disease/ Everything related to statins may be found here: nutritionfacts.org/topics/statins/ I hope that helps! -Christine Kestner, MS, CNS, LDN, MPH, NutritionFacts.org Health Support Volunteer

[@keithbajema2358]

For childhood vaccines the benefit also comes from having the disease suppressed in the whole population.

[@geoffreygo1686]

haha what a new twist ? pharma influence?

[@georgeblackley6028]

I believe the real culprit is not cholesterol but gunk.

[@nicktaylor7680]

Very good summary except for the quote by John Pippin which leaves viewers to believe that a plant based diet can replace statins in all casesand fails to take into account Familial hypercholesterolemia.

[@paulmaxwell8851]

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a rare exception. For the vast majority of people, a plant-based diet can and does lower cholesterol and thereby increase longevity.

[@jenniferjones1825]

Talk about the slow reveal…

[@charlestait5303]

Quit statins, went ketogenic, saved my life!

[@charlestait5303]

@Bladerunner2043 Why?

[@karend.9218]

Same, added my quality of life back thru low carb living. Cheers,

[@paulasusan63]

What were your readings if I may ask and how long have you been eating this way? I heard it made your LDL go higher...

[@charlestait5303]

@@paulasusan63 LDL is no longer a concern! All the newest research says LDL doesn’t matter! In fact if your in your 70s high cholesterol leads to lower all cause mortality! Your only concern on your lipid panel test numbers is your triglycerides to HDL ratio.

[@pbziegler]

Are you suggesting starting children off with statins so they add years to that child's life? That's nuts

[@paulmaxwell8851]

Watch the video. The whole video. Dr. Gregor is simply presenting the facts. He then goes on to point out that a plant-based diet is the best choice.

[@main___name___main___name]

You will live -20 years longer on statins.

[@kasparsakmens3853]

Minus or 20 year longer?

[@SET12DSP]

Consider this....your coronary artery calcium if you have an issue can double every 5 years at a rate of 15% year. Go on a statin and that rate can go up to 30% per year. All in the name of plaque stabilization. What ever your level is it could be 16 times higher after 20 years if you live that long. Just by taking a statin. Or you can look forward to more meds and procedures like stents and bypasses. The choice is yours personally I prefer the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol approach as I have already reversed my CAC by 30% in 20 months.

[@ericjohnson6665]

Moderator waits until the very end, to point out that fresh raw fruits and vegetables are far better than statins. A conclusion I concur with.

[@wadepatton2433]

Michael Greger, MD is his name. Yup, the ZINGER is at the end-but many of us who know him were expecting exactly that. The breakdown of the numbers was good too.

[@ericjohnson6665]

"taking statins can enable one to live years longer"... so we have a missing comparison here... for someone like myself, who does well with Policosanol, what are the relative time-frame benefits of one vs the other? But perhaps more importantly, what are the relative side effects of each? Statins cause muscle weakness in many people, myself included. The immunosuppressants I'm on, also cause muscle weakness, so combining them together, makes it very hard to exercise. This whole video just reminds me of the line in school... how to lie with statistics. Too much is ignored (conveniently) by the story teller.

[@wadepatton2433]

You may have missed the concluding remarks that indicate a whole-food, plant-based diet is most likely better than any drug therapy and that WFPB-life only has wonderful side-effects, rather than negative. Dr. G is not pushing pills here.

[@dontworrybehappy5139]

@@wadepatton2433 You may have missed that Dr. Greger never said that a WFPB diet was a replacement for statin therapy, especially for someone diagnosed as high risk or with active disease. It is a dangerous message to have folks with active heart disease thinking that they can ditch their statins and replace them with a WFPB diet. It literally can end up killing someone.

[@NutritionFactsOrg]

Hi, Eric Johnson! The point made in the video was that, for those unwilling to change their diets, statins can increase lifespan, but that switching to a plant-based diet is more effective, and the side effects are positive. You can find everything on our site related to statins here: nutritionfacts.org/topics/statins/ I hope that helps! -Christine Kestner, MS, CNS, LDN, NutritionFacts.org Health Support Volunteer

[@jeffblalock3010]

You don't.

[@Battery-kf4vu]

I believe the problem is OXIDIZED LDL, especially when it interacts with CRP, it is not LDL per se. LDL is important for a lot of things. Several foods can lower oxidation of LDL and/or lower RCP.

[@tzenophile]

can you link any research to support this belief?

[@Battery-kf4vu]

@@tzenophile I suggest you google on the subject there's good data supporting this. Studies have also shown that a low LDL increases all cause mortality.

[@Battery-kf4vu]

@@Brian-gk1cd It's up to you to make the research dude. It's not my job to do everything for you, you should understand that.

[@tzenophile]

@@Battery-kf4vu Nonsense. You make a specific claim, but without substance. We take you seriously enough to ask about your source. It is your choice whether to lose face or not. Seems you lost it.

[@Battery-kf4vu]

@@tzenophile I have already helped you enough, bye.

[@tonykelpie]

Statistics can be misrepresented and often are. The point about length of follow up - and in consequence the need to use an intervention long term - is very important. NNTs are very often quoted by people who don’t understand the effects of duration of treatments. When one person dies from a problem, that person is 100% dead.

[@zeroedout]

1:19 doesnt it have the same risk over time? The risk doesnt add up, it will be the same per year

[@AlexRivera-ri2th]

So I have to take a stand for the rest of my life so I can gain a couple years.

[@peanutnutter1]

Another good pro-statin video kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGepeJSIbNuCfs0

[@Joseph1NJ]

But at what point does the diminished risk become irrelevant? LDL of 60? 50? How about 40? In other words, how low an LDL below which there are virtually no benefits?

[@tzenophile]

If you can get down to 50 there is probably no reason to worry about getting even lower. But the real question is, can you?

[@Joseph1NJ]

@@tzenophile thank you for the reply.

[@dontworrybehappy5139]

Lowering of LDL-C isn't the only cardiac benefit from statin usage. It is extremely important that anyone with active heart disease work with a trusted medical professional to plan out a treatment. The choice doesn't need to be an either/or decision.

[@Joseph1NJ]

@@dontworrybehappy5139 I've read, "statins may encourage the body to reabsorb existing cholesterol," but that's misleading. If you get your cholesterol low enough, your body does the work for you. Statins could just help you get there, but the drug itself does not "adsorb cholesterol."

[@dontworrybehappy5139]

@@Joseph1NJ From Cleveland Clinic: "Statins have additional benefits beyond lowering cholesterol levels (pleiotropic effects); they also help the lining of the blood vessels work better (improved endothelial function), enhance the stability of atherosclerotic plaques, reduce the amount of inflammation and damage done to cells through oxidation (oxidative stress), and keep blood platelets from clumping together (platelet aggregation), thereby reducing the risk of a blood clot (thrombus)."

[@johnbutler3141]

It does not give a time frame on its %. Its only %.

[@tonykelpie]

Dietary changes are not an alternative to medication. Comparative studies of dietary modifications versus medication have been done. The best option appears to be to use a number of complementary methods- exercise, moderation of alcohol, zero smoking, as well as diet, weight control, and medication for people with particular levels of risk

[@SET12DSP]

You can have the meds when the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol has reversed 30% of my heart disease verified by CAC.

[@brucecampbell6133]

Dr. Gregor is a fanboy for the food pyramid: eat excessive carbs/sugars (juices), breads, pastas and too many fruits (fructose) and avoid healthy fats (as a larger part of total daily calories). My own health has improved significantly and I reversed pre-diabetes/metabolic syndrome /fatty liver with a ketogenic diet rich in leafy green vegetables, root vegetables low in carbs/high in fiber, some colorful vegetable fruits, small servings of meat and fish and plenty of healthy oils and fats (e.g. EVO), and occasional small portions of colorful fresh fruit in season. My triglycerides plummeted, my HDL raised to a healthy level and my small LDL dropped to a healthy range. My gut health improved and my allergies went a away. Statins lower all cholesterol at the expense of proper/optimal function of the body. My observation is the Dr. Joel and the AMA have no concept of food as medicine and are stuck in their roles as purveyors of pills for big pharma; good at addressing trauma but short sighted in getting to prime causes and cures of disease.

[@SET12DSP]

The only proof that it all works is by getting a CAC Score. I am reversing my coronary artery calcium score with the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol so far by 30% in 20 months.

[@byNetak]

Hello where is the study from plant food based diet and the LDL on it

[@NutritionFactsOrg]

Hi, Netak Rap Music! There are many studies on whole food, plant-based diets and LDL, so I am not sure which one you mean. You can find everything on our site related to cholesterol here: nutritionfacts.org/topics/cholesterol/ Links to the studies featured in the videos on our site may be accessed by clicking the "Sources Cited" link below the viewing window. You may be interested in this video, if you have not already seen it: nutritionfacts.org/video/plant-based-atkins-diet/ I hope that helps! -Christine Kestner, MS, CNS, LDN, NutritionFacts.org Health Support Volunteer

[@johnfausett3335]

Every year you take the drug compounds the likelihood of the side effects either killing you or making life a living hell. The question is how much money does Merck make if you stay on statins?

[@gallectee6032]

Majority of the side effects can be reversed with cessation of the drug. Death can't.

[@johnfausett3335]

@@gallectee6032 Problem is that these side effects often don't reverse even after cessation of the drug.

[@gallectee6032]

@@johnfausett3335 What are you basing this on?

[@Birtee229]

@@johnfausett3335 my short term memory loss reversed. I’m considering ezetimibe because I have to eat no oil cause on a whole food vegan diet to keep my LDL down below 100. SO hard for me.

[@johnfausett3335]

@@gallectee6032 50 years of medical practice

[@JW-iz6mv]

Had Quadruple bypass surgery exactly 5 years and was put on 5mg Crestor at that time.I have not noticed much side effects, maybe some aches,soreness, etc now and then but that could be from getting older? I eat fairly healthy and exercise frequently.67 years old.Just got lab tests back a few days ago---Cholestrol 140, Triglycerides 100,HDL 60,LDL 60. So should I stop taking the Crestor 5mg ?

[@fragitude]

Your cholesterol numbers look good and if it was me I would keep taking them to maintain that. I would only stop the statin if you dropped the numbers in half again.

[@paulasusan63]

Actually too low LDL is bad for you...Dr Ken Berry

[@SET12DSP]

See what CAC says if they would allow it. A statins job is to calcify plaque all in the name of stabilization. Personally I am reversing my calcification with the Linus Pauling Heart Protocol so far by 30%.

[@vanamarkarian]

What are statins ??

[@Brockdorf]

Finally! Thank you!

[@wadepatton2433]

Apparently many commenters didn't complete the video or ignored the conclusion where WFPB eating is noted at being superior in many ways. I don't think Dr. G is pushing pills here, just giving some breakdown of these numbers that are shoved at us, without explanation in most cases.

[@george-stathopoulos]

REALY? Statins? O well

[@wadepatton2433]

Seems everyone skipped the conclusion.

[@catecurl3790]

The struggle is real Dr Greger. But clearly so are the results.

[@kayallen7603]

Yes, ask him about the NNT/NNH values for those statins he loves so very much. Rovastatin's are NNT=218 and NNH=68. NNT number needed to treat before 1 person gets any benefit from the taking the drug while the rest of them (217) don't. NNH number risking harm from taking the drug (67) before 1 person successfully avoids a stroke or heart attack. If NNT > NNH, the drug isn't worth taking - because statins come with horrible side effects - such a becoming a type2 diabetic, Alzheimer's, dementia, permanent joint and muscle damage just to do something the AMA says is NOT IMPORTANT and, btw, never was important.

[@malemlasiz5844]

As much as not eating meat

[@pixiegardner8094]

Hooray for plants!

[@lindapb6529]

💜

[@PhilinWaterloo]

Kudos to those that prepared this video. It certainly wasn't sponsored by the statin industry.

[@markbrad123]

Thanks Dr Greger. Your channel should be mandatory in Biology or Physical Education lessons.

[@thedoc5848]

Is this a joke?

[@HeyYall398]

This will create a serious broccoli addiction pandemic.

[@KJSvitko]

You are what you eat. Obesity in children and adults is rising across the world. Eat a healthy plant based diet and exercise regularly. Reduce or eliminate cows milk, eggs, cheese and meat. Eat more salad greens, beans, fruit and vegetables. Every adult and child should own a bicycle and ride it regularly. Regular exercise will help you sleep better. Yoga is a great stress reducer. Obesity is all too common today. Get off the couch. Get off the phone, ipad or video game. A variety of stretching and other exercises help with increased mobility. Ride to work, ride to school, ride for fun. Every city should be a bicycle city. Speak up for bicycles in your community

[@workinprogress1822]

Have you considered looking at human health related evidence for cholesterol effects of cyclodextrins (specifically i believe 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin)? Came across this through a TED talk by Hugh Hempel who had gotten access to this for his daughters' rare genetic neurological disease...

[@NutritionFactsOrg]

Hi, Workin' Progress! This TEDx talk (not the same thing as a TED Talk, by the way) is more about cannabis than it is about cyclodextrins. You can find everything on our site related to cannabis here: nutritionfacts.org/topics/cannabis/ If there is evidence to support it, I am sure that cyclodextrins will be covered on NutritionFacts at some point. I hope that helps! -Christine Kestner, MS, CNS, LDN, NutritionFacts.org Health Support Volunteer

[@kbkesq]

This is the best video you’ve ever done. The ironic thing is your other videos created the impression that statins were more bad than good. I am splitting the difference and am taking crestor 5mg 2x a week and also after any particularly heavy meal like a party or thanksgiving.

[@AngelChristinaaa]

Are your levels going up with just 2 days a week use? Or are they staying down ?

[@stargazerbird]

I note that dietary interventions in that paper say they work ‘including plant based’ so other dietary interventions also work. We have seen that with the Mediterranean diet. Seems that it’s the inclusion of a lot of vegetables and some fruit in any diet lowers disease, avoid processed foods and you increase the effect. There is also the conflation with weigh loss as vegans have a lower BMI. Hunter gatherers across the world all eat meat but the vast majority also eat a lot of plants and all of it unprocessed and don’t stuff themselves to the point of overweight. They have very low CVD. I think you have to be careful not to push the idea that vegan diets are the only way you can have robust health through diet. It’s simply not true.