Stopping Statins Part 3: Be Careful if you do this!!

[@Sewmore]

Can I take. Statins other than everyday? Like take it every other day or 2 x a week?

[@PrevMedHealth]

Yes. If it’s one with a long half-life, like Crestor. Many of my patients do exactly that.

[@Sewmore]

@@PrevMedHealth mine is Atorvastatin 40 mg

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

I was taking 10 mg every other day and my cholesterol went down to 72,

[@floyd5292]

There also seems to be major risk in STARTING statins.

[@e.miller8943]

When statins first came out my doctor prescribed some for me. I had pain in my legs and stopped the meds. This same event happened twice more in my long life. I recently had a heart attack, which is a very unpleasant event. I have started taking a low doseage of rosuvastatin with no side effects so far. Poking around the internet I have discovered that if you can't tolerate high doses of statins you may still benefit from low doses

[@williamtownsend4978]

I too had a stemi, no fun at all, I’ve reduced my rosuvastatin from 20 to 5mg, will see if it helps

[@douglasbriel6103]

It's crazy to me how doctors are so divided on so many subjects. Seems like scientific facts should be a fact.

[@luludesjardins]

Perhaps the best idea is not to start Statins in the first place. We needed more studies about the effect of statins which is not funded or otherwise connected to the pharmaceuticals which produce statins

[@truthsayer9847]

This guy confuses me. I watched one video in which he scared me into not taking statins anymore, but now he has scared me that I have stopped taking them!

[@PrevMedHealth]

Sorry you are confused. It’s not a simple picture. Most statin scripts are high dose Lipitor. Those probably do more damage than good. However, lose dose scripts of other statins do help. I hope that clarifies. If you have further questions, check in with Michelle at [e-mail]

[@truthsayer9847]

@@PrevMedHealth Thank you sir. The one I am prescribed, is 80m atorvastatin. Is this one of the more dangerous ones?

[@PrevMedHealth]

It is the one - and the dosage - that I avoid.

[@truthsayer9847]

@@PrevMedHealth Thank you so much for that. I won't hold it against you and am just asking as a friend, do you think I have done the right thing then? You said on your video that you don't recommend that your patients stop taking statins, but with my prescription, you would recommend that they did stop? Thank you once again.

[@PlayJewel]

Ford Brewer MD MPH is online or video consultation possible? Im from another country.

[@garyclark9807]

I had to stop mine. My doctor did. While I was taking crestor I has so much I couldn’t walk. Once I stopped it, she put me on coq10, fish oil, cholestoff. My labs dropped from 1700 to 1100 in 3 months. Tirglicerides were 40. Good cholesterol was much higher than bad.

[@funeralangel8262]

Look at the video about niacin and a vitamin K2 👌

[@aperson1181]

I went through so many docs w/ my family and it's sad the longer they are in their profession the more close minded they are. There is a ton of research published if they had taken a few hours opening their eyes and be willing to search for the cause, the patients would be thankful their entire lives.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Thanks. I agree.

[@marthinus8523]

blah blah blah, rather sit down

[@mariaq1328]

I had to stop taking statin it cause muscle weakness all over my body, from my throat, bladder and my hair stop growing for two months. I’m learning how to walk with the help of therapist. Still on wheelchair.

[@bassmaster1953]

I have been on a statin after open heart surgery(65yo). I am losing faith in their benefit. Why would I want to lower a naturally occurring lipoprorein the body needs? The plaque isn't the problem, it's the symptom. Inflammation caused by spikes in insulin is the problem. I've decide to eat less(once per day) and cut out carbs. Eat more fat, avocado, eggs and olive oil and some protein. I don't want to become diabetic and don't want to take powerful drugs.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Thanks for sharing your story. So few people understand the plaque and IR story.

[@6789uiop]

I agree 100% Must see; kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6HPnaKjnqmAjpI Dr Jason Fung

[@C02045]

Medicine should return to treating causes, not symptoms and certainly not try to suppress statistically minor risks where the suppression introduces debilitating side effects that are NOT statistically minor.

[@RonWagner]

I got to the point, at age 78, and having been on statins for about 15 years; that I developed pain that made my life miserable and slowly stopped taking it. First my cardiologist doubled it and that made me realize how much pain my normal dose had been causing. It is well known , in the literature, that as you get older the statin pain will increase in some people. I was never warned of this and if you don't figure it out for yourself you may never know why you are miserable and have brain fog, severe pain and maybe cramps. I have been taking COq10 all along and L-carnitine tartrate. My wife just quit too because of severe cramps. She is a retired nurse practitioner and I am a retired psych RN, MA.

[@michaelkingsbury1385]

I’m sure stopping statins can be dangerous. I had such horrible muscle pain and fatigue it made work hard. Had to stop.

[@floristkazisagar]

You stoped ? Now how you fell ?

[@nashvillain2010]

Sorry Doc, you didn't scare me! No to statins.

[@starrynight8007]

+David Cavazon, good! Dr. Brewer is showing just that 1 "report". I need to investigate "who" fundede it. At the rate of $30 Billion/yr. that Pharma Pfizer is pulling in, Each Year, I'm sure Pfizer can fund studies and have the outcomes they would like to see.

[@markcognetti4875]

Sttoping statins can be dangerous. Yes-- starting statins can also be dangerous

[@kasparsakmens3853]

ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?

[@judyconnors-holland3910]

Why can’t the medical professionals believe the patient when they complain of their whole body hurting and it is the statins . I am 78 yrs old ,trusted the medical professionals because I had an awesome G.P. From the time I was 16yrs old til I was 50 yrs old , was a non smoker ,non drinker , physically active mother of 4 , based my moral and ethical behavior on Albert Schweitzer and became an LPN when I was 35 years old ( a life long dream ) . Once I began taking statins due to high cholesterol per new physician instructions my life radically changed . It was a long while before I associated my physical pain with the statins . I tried them all and have developed very predictable symptoms that have been progressively exacerbated . My only desire in life now is to have the physicians realize this is a very serious reality. I do not want my children and grandchildren to have the pain I have suffered . All the money in the world is not worth the suffering of these patients who are having quality of life issues due to a lack of compassion and/or belief by their physicians .

[@Nicksonian]

Statins are big business and docs have been sold a bill of goods to the extent that they ignore the huge side effects of statins. Docs like to throw drugs at people to mask problems rather than cure them. Drug companies want people on statins the rest of their lives. Insulin resistance is usually the problem but docs aren’t nutritionists so they don’t prescribe a diet and lifestyle that will cure rather than mask. And no, there is literally no correlation between eating fats and bad LDL numbers. I took statins for a month and found the effects so debilitating that I stopped.

[@floyd5292]

If we follow the money, we'll find the answer. Peace 🕊️.

[@robinmullins6274]

I have a new doctor and asked him for my cholesterol screening numbers. He told me they weren't bad and didn't know why my last doctor started me on atorvastatin. I stopped atorvastatin over a month ago after being on it for over a year. I don't have mental confusion or body aches anymore. So far so good. The coq10 I'm just now hearing about? Should I have been taking coq10 with the atorvastatin all along?

[@mikeshoppe91]

Did you stop it cold turkey or you where winde off?

[@tobymichaels8171]

Is stopping statins more dangerous than never starting them in the first place? Is there a rebound or withdrawal effect that causes a transient elevation of risk?

[@BKMDano17]

I had a mild stroke and from what this doctor says I'm going to have another one or heart attack I'm only 65 scared to death

[@puramuk]

are there any longterm withdrawal symptomps of quitting statins? after around 7 years of use

[@lorettacaputo6997]

From when I worked in a medical lab, blood specimens were centrifuged with a substance called sure sep. This ensured that the serum was isolated from the cell layer completely. I can't imagine a lab that dosen't use this technique and leaves itself open to producing false values due to cell contamination.

[@eattolive1944]

I have a family member who at age 74 had been taking Lipitor 40 for about 15 years. His overall cholesterol was 108. The next month after this blood work showing 108, he had to have a quadruple bypass! Thank you, Lipitor!

[@PrevMedHealth]

Yep. High dose Lipitor lowers ldl somewhat, but rarely impacts the bigger issue, cv inflammation.

[@eattolive1944]

Thank you.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Thanks for your interest.

[@claybutler]

Lipitor didn't cause his heart disease, How do you know he would had died long before his bypass with no statin benefit. And i seriously doubt his cholesterol was 108. I think you mean LDL.

[@patdaley6249]

99

[@TalkingGIJoe]

I just quit them after 30 days of short term use... after being "diagnosed" with high blood pressure. Since I wasn't on them for long, I didn't need to wean myself off of them.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Good luck.

[@spqr701]

Dr. Brewer. What about the possible negative effects of statins? Especially if you have a family history of diabetes? The warning sheet provided with a prescription warns of worsening diabetes (if you're already diabetic) and developing diabetes (if you don't already have it). Also, there is a warning about taking statins if you have hypo-thyroidism.... There seems to be so much conflicting info on the net (no surprise here), I don't know who (or what) to believe......

[@PrevMedHealth]

Join Our Live Broadcast Every Wednesday! @11am EST. For more information please visit our website prevmedhealth.com/ & www.jubilee.health/. To learn more watch our videos on KZbin kzbin.info/door/moEsq6a6ePXxgZeA4CVrUw

[@SawmillerSmith]

Okay,here is my story. I'm 69 years old and have never been to a doctor for a checkup in my adult life. So I have no idea what all those lab numbers mean.. I eat what my parents ate and what my greatparents ate.The all lived into there 70-90s. I remember my farters mother ate lots of cottage chesse,she lived to 99,so I figure that must be healthy to eat. They are lots of pork they raised,chickens,milk right from the cow and eggs. One uncle was a coal miner who worked in the mines most of his life and he lived into his 80's. With all that said, without ever taking any drugs in my life I feel fine. Others in my family who do take drugs have all kinds of health problem,and they were much healthier than I when we were young. They never were sick,unlike I was. Back when I was young we didn't go to a doctor when sick like people do now days. So thats my story of my life and how I was raised.

[@PrevMedHealth]

+Sawmiller Smith Good story. It aounds like some good genes. And good lifestyle. And those two are more important than anything else. Anything. Thanks for sharing.

[@6789uiop]

Good genes and lifestyle for sure. Also whole food with more fat and less wheat & sugar, from the sounds of it.

[@bru1015]

Good for you, I wish I could claim that. 👩‍🌾

[@YO-DASISTMICH]

Love your story. Keep it simple, that's what a lot of people need to learn.

[@desertpair2]

Sawmill: It might have been the cottage cheese that made him a farter. :o)

[@w.7194]

All kinds of pain sfter put on crestor for only a small elevation in cholesterol and only a small area of plaque build up in two arteries after dye test......cardiologist says to stop the crestor.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Like most doctors, yours sounds focused on LDL. I think plaque & CV inflammation are more important.

[@w.7194]

I am already feeling less pain in muscles and joints after off crestor for two weeks. I eat healthy ,exercise ,etc..so hope to look after my health without statins.

[@robdavidson1876]

To statin or not to statin that is the question ,

[@funeralangel8262]

_HA !_ Yes for some they can be great. For others too many side-effects.

[@marthabutler9307]

Lower inflammation first, no sugar, wheat, dairy, lose weight, control BP. PER CARDIOLOGY.

[@christinepatrie1255]

KZbin IHMC episode 41 Dr. David Diamond "The Role of Fat, Cholesterol, then look up Dr. Stephanie Seneff who has studied Cholesterol for 30 years. THEN ask yourself...Are Statins Safe or needed at all.

[@PrevMedHealth]

See my video re: Dr David Diamond's episode 41. Then ask yourself if he really understands relative risk. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKnCoJmtiqyobtk

[@kindheart1188]

My previous PCP Doctor took me off Atorvastatin about 2 years ago now because I was in too much pain and experienced side effects. I was then put on a Colestipol 1 gm, but it's not lowering my bad cholesterol. Now my new PCP doctor wants me to try Rosuvastatin 5 gm to see if it will lower my bad cholesterol. I am in A LOT of pain. HELP!!!

[@DanygenieHair]

Get Nattokinase

[@williamtownsend4978]

I’m on 5mg rosuvastatin, I have pain in my upper arms when I use them

[@vinylbeatmachine2663]

Im scared. I dont want to take statins anymore. I have good days and bad days. Im assuming its the statin.

[@funeralangel8262]

Statins can mess with the brain - unfortunately. 💊💨

[@pauletteschiowitz8989]

Don’t they raise blood sugar also

[@MR..181]

starts with blood pressure medicine that destroys kidneys ..for dizzyness caused by being up days and night drinking coffee..

[@davidivers9295]

Aside from statins,are there any other medications or supplements that are effective in reducing arterial inflammation?

[@starrynight8007]

+David Ivers, Coconut Oil. Please read Dr. Bruce Fife's book, "The Coconut Oil Miracle". 10 pages ( 176 scientific ref. papers). The coconut oil or Medium-Chain Fatty acid does not get stored as fat, as it bypasses the pancreas fo Insulin the Fat storing Hormone. >> MCT's DO NOT OXIDIZE, because it has All the Hydrogen Atoms to it's Carbon Atoms, {brick house} no breaks in the links to oxidize. ".... Only oxidized fat ends up as arterial plaque." LDL is bad only if it has gone "rancid" oxidized.

[@ShOwStOpp3rr]

@@starrynight8007 thanks for that recommendation im gonna buy that book..

[@elementsofnature9141]

I take medium-chain triglycerides 20ml (MCT) Oil - C8 -C10 and eat OMAD ❤ Please..you must do your Research first! ❤

[@GraniteRoll]

Check out Aged Garlic supplements for reducing soft plaques - research is out there.

[@macariopacione4406]

Are you taking statin Ford Brewer M.D. ? According to what I have read, those who died of heart attack has normal cholesterol in accordance to medical doctor standard.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Yes. 5 of Crestor twice weekly. Yes. It isn’t usually cholesterol. It’s inflammation.

[@trespasser121]

@@PrevMedHealth Do you mean 5 mg twice weekly? My wife's doctor prescribed her 10mg/day which I think is way too much given her HDl is about 100 and LDL 130 and ZERO other risk factors, so I suggested she takes at most every other day. I am not a doctor, but from everything I read, I am concerned she might have problems with side effects and have to stop , which will be much worse in the end vs starting slowly.

[@jasontan697]

@@PrevMedHealth it is inflammation. cholesterol is there to heal. When there is fire, u would try to stop the fire not the firefighter (cholestrol) . So there is no point in eating statin, the problem is SUGAR

[@mist4926]

can a heart transplant stop statans years post t

[@Gr8Believer]

Is there any value of taking statins every 2nd day to wean yourself of them instead of going cold turkey?

[@autumnrose6370]

I noticed when you stop taking statin drugs- you will experience withdrawal and muscle weakness. I had my mom visit a Integrative health doctor.

[@Gr8Believer]

@@autumnrose6370 I've been off statins for 4 months. I did wean myself off over a period of a month. I did feel muscle joint pains. I took normal pain killers when nessessary. I don't have those pains anymore. Of course I did change my diet by not having sugars.

[@ShaneZettelmier]

The problem I have with looking at individual stories is that everybody has a different situation, if you took 100 people on statins and took them off to get different results in every test but when you have a .9% increase in a big study on people who are already suffering from severe heart disease From a clinical standpoint is that even valid? Usually they don’t even continue studies if there’s less than a 2% difference, because a natural anomalies could account for more than that, and we have no way of knowing if those people died because they took them off of statins they’re already suffering from severe heart problems. They need to do longer-term studies and see if those are consistent. From the studies I’ve been following on people who go on keto Paleo or carnivore or whole food diet illuminating inflammation causes about 80% of them. I had to go back and fix their high blood pressure and heart disease permanently and don’t need drugs mom over those who go to conventional doctors and just stay on statins forever. Well doctors keep telling them to eat unhealthy foods. :/ What we need is serious unbiased studies to check this out because what we have now are pharmaceutical companies trying to sell us statins testing people with severe heart disease who could jump around five or 10% in any test just because they already have serious heart disease and may die anyway. If we saw a jump of 10% or even 5%, that would be significant, but a .9% increase in one study is not really determinant of much. I think somebody’s just gonna sit around eating donuts and big Macs and pizza all day. Then maybe they should stay on the statins, but if people are going to eat healthy, get rid of seed, oil‘s grain products, altogether starches sugars, and processed foods and start eating Whole Foods and clean, healthy meats and vegetables, I’m guessing that that is astronomically higher in saving people. In some of the larger more recent test over the last couple years, you’re looking at about 27 to 30% decrease in heart disease, even without the statins. Those are numbers that speak volumes.

[@vincentmcclain9307]

I would like to know how many first heart attacks had high cholesterol

[@ezegbaka9941]

Sir, 2 months ago i did blood test. my total cholesterol was 6.5....HDL 1.9...Non-HDL4.6...LDL 4.3....TRIGLYCERIDES 0.7 and i have minimal kidney damage....Doctor put me on statin vascor 20mg. i started diet and exercise. 40 days later, which is yesterday my cholesterol came down to normal, pls sir i need your advice, how can i safely get myself out from statin? i am 43 yrs old

[@WayneCulverhouse]

well ive just stoped my statins couldn't stand the muscle soreness n dizziness. ive also been ok Vit k2 ubiquinone and hawthorn. and now on bergamet advanced to replace the statins. ive seen nataphaths and im hopping this is going to work. im feeling very confident in it. and going for a blood test in 2 weeks to see how i am. i also exercise 6 days a week and eat very healthy.

[@mickhal1681]

Hi doctor I don’t like medication My cholesterol was high 7.2 Sugar ok LDL was slightly high Gp gave me 10 mg satin I reduced it to 5 mg myself Now 2 month I did my test myself All are great LDL can be better But I’m eating well Time needed LDL is 107 mg 2.7mmo Previous was 5.3mmo -204 mg I’m running more And cut all my trans fat out And lowered my sugar intake My question is I want to stop satin drug Do you recommend I take 5 mg twice a week To be safe Or stop completes Thank

[@PrevMedHealth]

I don’t recommend starting a statin unless there is plaque. Then I don’t recommend stopping. I do recommend twice/week low dose Crestor. Or Livalo.

[@mickhal1681]

Ford Brewer MD MPH Thank for you reply How does someone no if their is plaque

[@PrevMedHealth]

CIMT. There aren’t a lot of those out there. Michelle at [e-mail] can help you find them.

[@jasontan697]

stopping statin and not changing lifestyle of healthy eating (less sugar), OF COZ the person will be at risk of having cardiovascular disease

[@PrevMedHealth]

Yes. Lifestyle is more important.

[@stevefowler2112]

Hi Doc, nice information. Can I ask your opinion of the over the counter anti inflammatory Zyflamend? I found it on youtube years ago recommended by a Harvard MD educated cardiologist. I take it consistently and it works every time I get on it, after just a few days to lower my shoulder/knee and hip pain (i am now 65 but my retirement hobby job requires LOTS of walking and I still do some now very modest distance running and like to lift weights). The Harvard MD recommended it for internal organ inflammation too and basically said almost evryone would benefit from taking it. Just curious what you think? P.S. I am also on rosvustatin and I believe I am experiencing muscle pain in my legs much more since being put on it a few years ago. I would like to get off it to see if my muscle pain goes away as I had never experienced it in my life (outside of extreme exercise events).

[@jimfisher3161]

They did an ultrasound in Feb on my carotid artery that said low plaque In December some plaque broke off from somewhere, moved to my heart and lodged against more plaque in a coronary artery. Guess what happened next......

[@PrevMedHealth]

Thanks for sharing that. I am so sorry to hear that! (Pardon the delayed response.)

[@thibod07]

I must be very slow at understanding those concepts as you just said that he major cause of hearth attack is irritation in the arteries which cause a plack build-up that is produced by the cholesterol. How can reducing the cholesterol reduce the risk of hearth attack? Wouldn’t reducing the level of cholesterol while not eliminating the cause of high cholesterol level lead faster to a hearth attack? Why not fixing the root cause of the problem which seems to be in the nutrition rather than yet adding another problem with tempering directly with the cholesterol production level and introducing many new issues at the same time? thank you for sharing your information as it contributes to our learning. I personally have high cholesterol and decided to verify my hearth and artery conditions and change what I eat instead of taking statins. My reason is very simple I like so much moving and doing physical activities that I do not want to change that, I would rather die and I mean it. I am 62 so I already had a very nice life so why changing this. A shorter high quality life is not such a bad thing when you think about it. Sheer!

[@thibod07]

Thank you for your quick reply. It is really well appreciated. It surely clarifies many things for me. I have reduced drastically my intake of carbohydrates and replaced it by more vegetables. I was surprised to loose 10 pounds in two weeks and about 1 inch and a half around my waist. I am 5 feet 11 and now weight 160 pounds so loosing more weight is not really an option any more. I had another blood test done last week so I should get the results next week I will decide on the next step based on the results. I never realized before how important a healthy diet was. I guess my wife was right!

[@PrevMedHealth]

Yes. Low carb is very effective, especially for middle aged people gaining weight. It’s usually due to hyper-insulinemia.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Thanks for sharing. It’s tough that you have to eat crow with your wife, though.

[@skinnydee1886]

@@thibod07 Lose and losing. NOT loose and loosing!

[@rab-cnesbit4181]

I dont know what to do I ve gone partially blind in one eye due to high cholesterol blocking a retinal artery , my dad had 12 strokes which paralysed his right side and destroyed his speech since I was four years old. . I'm taking artovastatin and aspirin but stopped statins because its Christmas and I've been drinking scotch whisky, I'm type 2 diabetic on metformin 2000 milligram slow release and on atenolol ,lisoprinkl , doxasosin , nexus , codeine , buprenorphine patches, I'm disabled in chronic pain.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Thanks for sharing. We’d want to look more deeply at your metabolism & lifestyle.

[@C02045]

Is there no analysis/evidence of causal link (or not) with the cessation of statins?

[@mohdasker]

I am 46year old male I had suspected couple of Tias with BP140/106 at that point.I hav strong family history of stroke They kept me on statins ,blood thinners,blood pressure meds Am a bit reluctant to hav statins I have lil kids my family is extremely worried. Please can u advice thank you How can I contact u please let me know

[@yuoiyuoi899]

Have no idea if any comments after 6 years are followed. I will spare you the book of my life and mention just a rather unique situation. At 80 years now, for about 15 years, off and on, but continual in the last 2 years, loud constant heartbeat in my ears. Ruined my sleep, not so bad in daytime. A year ago, I started Lipitor, 20 mg/10gm alternate days. Experienced tendonitis (nothing serious) above my wrists in both arms. However, after a few months (this was my only medication change in years) I noticed a change in ear heartbeat. Now, about one year into a statin, my heartbeat has virtually disappeared. Go figure.

[@williamtownsend4978]

I notice the heartbeat in my ears sometimes when I wake up to pee but it’s not real bad(I’m on 5mg rosuvastatin)

[@johnbutler3141]

Statins do not reduce inflammation. Change the diet which will reduce inflammation and plaque = No statins.

[@Nicksonian]

The large, buoyant LDL produced by the liver is actually highly anti-inflammatory and is the body’s first line of defense. It also is essential for carrying energy throughout the body. Your brain and muscles depend on LDL to function, so when you take a statin, it switches off all cholesterol production and your body begins to deteriorate.

[@kathleen.d.1231]

If you don’t start you don’t have to stop. Doctors who virtually announce they have to “dumb things down” irritate me.

[@irmasanchez5274]

Dr. Ford Brewer, thank you for the video. #1 we need more specifics on his lab changes. What changes, of any, occurred due to him stopping the statins. What test did you use to evaluate the increase in plaque? How much of an increase did you see? Also, how much Melatonin did you put him on. If you suspect the test was not done correctly, why was he treated with Melatonin? If the TMO comes down, you and the patient will not be able to determine if it was due to the melatonin or a test that was run correctly. Also, when I went on a modified Keto diet, my total cholesterol spiked tp 308. My doctor immediately tried to put me on a station. I, of course, advocated myself. I used a supplement for two months to help break down fat, I addressed frustrations/irritations in my life, I then ram out amd used Soy Lecithin granules for one month. My cholesterol went down to 248. My point, is that there are NUMEROUS ways to address an elevated cholesterol. A CoQ10 zapping drug with NUMEROUS, INDESPUTABLE side effects is NOT THE answer. The person needs to be treated, NOT a number or a single test. There are NUMEROUS herbs that can address an elevated cholesterol. There are ENERGY techniques that can address the plaque. It's time that medical doctos, AND PATIENTS wake up to thr fact that there are non-toxic, side effects free ways of addressing human health. There are a ton of quacks, both in the medical and alternative/complementary industry, but there are many excellent ones. Why us the body laying out plaque? Why do doctors focus in the HgbA1C. I think a better marker is a fasting insulin or even a Homa IR.

[@PrevMedHealth]

I have patients with diabetes & normal HOMA-IR.

[@irmasanchez5274]

@@PrevMedHealth Normal or within laboratory reference range? I've had a doctor tell a serum potassium of 3.7 and a magnesium level of 1.7 is "normal." Those values are within lab reference range but they are not normal and certainly not optimal. Numerous doctors have used the term normal to reflect a value that is within range, but I'm not sure of that's what you mean. Thank you. I know there are other more specific tests such as the GTT or a plasma glucose, but usually the tip off that there is a problem are a serum glucose and the HgbA1C. Homa- IR looks at the fasting serum glucose and fasting insulin. Do you mean that some of your patients (Diabetes) had an optimal fasting serum nsulin and serum glucose, that when calculated showed an optimal Homa-IR?

[@marthabutler9307]

Familial lipidema rebound after stopping 3rd statin w intolerable pain. CT calcium score 600+ w narrowing in one or more arteries. Entering 6th month of tendon/muscular pain second only to bone fx. Going to Cardiologist in 4 weeks. BP great on Irbesartan. No wheat, eggs, dairy. Losing the 20#. 1# a week. CKD 3A (NO. ASA) Repatha is popular. I'm not symptomatic. Gleaning.

[@BigFred458]

When I hear of these very low percentages that benefit from statins...1% mortality is disheartening. Do they also compare those who become so weakened that they fall, break a hip and pass away as comparative mortality ? Or those who stop exercising due to myopathy and suffer adverse quality of life or mortality ? Those who can no longer work due to either myopathy or thinking issues and this results in their being unable to afford health care ? Of that 1% who survive that take statins is that compared to cancer death rate or even diabetes complications or respiratory infection ? If you hack that 1% down with other positives, negatives besides the apple to apple comparison is there even a lesser percent overall or all cause mortality ? And finally, how about those who stay on statins and might have been better off dead due to cardiac events which lead to total disability either mental or physical ?

[@PrevMedHealth]

+Bambi Able kzbin.info/www/bejne/moKloIOiq8eAjNk kzbin.info/www/bejne/iom5qYWPgNd_hdE

[@barbaraloveday4615]

Bambi Able

[@dalehendrix6884]

Bambi Able n

[@kenrach9875]

Did he lower A1C with lifestyle or with drugs as well?

[@PrevMedHealth]

Almost all due to lifestyle. Even when they take meds, moderate lifestyle is far more powerful than meds. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZuopYynjd2dqLM

[@funeralangel8262]

@@PrevMedHealth ~ That is amazing actually. I doubt many people know this.

[@kindheart1188]

Why are sniffing and clearing your throat? Do you not feel well?

[@jameskantor0459]

Dr Brewer: For sleep, how much melatonin do to like to recommend.

[@floridalife-livinginflorid6882]

Zero it shuts down your bodies normal melatonin levels. The amount you are taking in just 3 mg is much higher than what your body sends out.

[@Fulrix00]

Doctor what if my cholesterol was a bit high they did a ct scan found 43 plaque in my left artery of the heart they put me on statins, I don’t believe I’ve had the inflammation test I will request it but what should the levels or results read? I am due for a stress test soon. I’m 40 and don’t want to be on the statins if it’s not necessary?

[@lyn-lyn1970]

Can I take simvastatin 3 times a week

[@bjft12]

Take a look at starting statins before a heart attack or stroke, going how long before a heart attack or stroke VS taking statins and having no heart attack and no stroke. Vs starting statins after heart attack or stroke..age? Weight? If dead what reason. I can't see a reason why statistics would be lying about these things and doctors not wanting to know. Does it add life or not?

[@dogma7911]

Do you have a list of labs that you recommend. For those who have had multiple MI's? Perhaps a panel of inflammatory markers,etc.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Yes. I do. It’s in the free digital course. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHSWlohmns6BpNE Start with that and an OGTT (or better yet - a Kraft Insulin survey). We are starting to take new patients now as well. You can get the information from Michelle at [e-mail]

[@BigFred458]

One other question/comment....I am taking Pravastatin 20 +10 mg Ezetimbe after being intolerant to other statins. I also take CO-Q-10, selenium 200 mcg every few days, Vit. D had been taking L-Carnitine because I enjoy weight lifting (of which I am doing less and less). Looking at the HMG CoAse Reductase chart....I see seleno-proteins, small molecules, prenylated proteins etc. with subsequent effects on mTOR and translation of proteins (in the cell) - Is there any step in the reduction where a 'supplement' that would limit these subsequent medication related deficiencies ? AND finally....have you done a video or looked at MK-4-MK-7 supplementation and extent of coronary calcium deposition ?

[@peggyberry202]

Bambi Able i

[@6789uiop]

He did one on heart calcification and K2. At the end he proffers the idea that uncovering plaque by stripping of calcification may not be good wrt stroke. I worked calves after just a few days on Atorvastatin, not red yeast rice, and couldn't walk. I quit statins and all my research says that was a good move. If I had Familiar Hypercholesteremia I'd take them. They show some benefit in preventing a secondary CV event but the NNT is high and the NNT for diabetes is 50 IIRC.

[@PlayJewel]

How does one tests or diagnose or scan for plaque?

[@PrevMedHealth]

A CIMT. & an inflammation panel.

[@ginliu7009]

Hi, Dr. Brewer thanks for another informative video series. I am going backwards to catch up. What are the reasons to suspect the MPO result false positive? What is the recommended melatonin dosage? Thanks.

[@stephenphillips4984]

Your video may assist medical students, but those of us wanting to get off statins need practical advice on which we can base a decision, not technical information that is irrelevant to the title of your video.

[@Nicksonian]

If you dive deep into how cholesterol works in the body you’ll know that LDL cholesterol as a whole is not the enemy and if you dive deep into how statins work you’ll understand that statins are horrible drugs that are slowly killing you. If your small particle LDL is high, it’s most likely because you have metabolic syndrome. Large, buoyant LDL produced by the liver is absolutely essential for life and in itself is anti-inflammatory. Statins deprive the body of essential, large, buoyant LDL which is essential for energizing cells especially in the brain and muscles. That’s why the major effects of statins are brain fog and muscle pain. One doctor described statins this way: “if our bodies weren’t so adaptive, statins would kill you within weeks.”

[@PrevMedHealth]

Thank You For Sharing That! Join Our Live Broadcast Every Wednesday! @11am EST. For more information please visit our website prevmedhealth.com/ & www.jubilee.health/. To learn more watch our videos on KZbin kzbin.info/door/moEsq6a6ePXxgZeA4CVrUw

[@wadetaylor3195]

How can I know if my plaque is stable enough to stop taking my statin?

[@PrevMedHealth]

I would not recommend that.

[@kindheart1188]

@@PrevMedHealth You would not recommend what???

[@llzbutton5608]

So many different opinions on this subject we're all confused and at the hands of our doctors decision, and even many of them are confused over this subject.

[@lucylu0615]

All I see about taking statins that it has caused debilitating pain in most people

[@ibperson7765]

Have you discussed using Vescepa instead?

[@wadetaylor3195]

Did he go back on Crestor?

[@nenadcubric2663]

If Crestor works for you, it doesnt mean it will work for others

[@justrusty]

I have a general comment on your videos. At first I'd watch and say "I disagree with this guy." then I took a step back and had to rephrase that: "Based on my much more limited knowledge base, I thought differently, but now I have more information from someone who knows more about it than me so I have to reconsider." So thanks, and keep posting. My statin story though is simple: I had no idea about side effects (other than potential muscle pain) and for several years couldn't understand why I felt so bad all the time and felt like I suddenly got old; I couldn't get work done at my job, was forgetful and was in a state of near constant mental confusion, which I was unable to articulate convincingly to my doctors. Eventually I realized it could be the statins. It was only then that I thought to turn to the Internet in general, and much later to KZbin itself and found that other people experienced some of the same things. So regardless of the benefits, I've simply had to stop taking them (we tried different types and different doses. Finally at age 59 I said enough was enough. No more.) I did manage through exercise and some dietary changes to get down to total 202 (highest measured ever was 289) and the Total/HDL ratio is still not the best, but I guess I'll just have to live (and die) without statins. However, I has similar symptoms on other non-statins like Zetia, which makes me wonder: was it the statins per se, or was it artificially lowered cholesterol that was the problem? Another general comment: though may people do not experience noticeable side effects, just my informal polling suggests that the percentage who do is a LOT higher than is reported, more like 15% or 20% (from conversations at work and about 50% have symptoms they consider unacceptable, but of course those who have no symptoms wouldn't even think to ever even mention it in casual conversation, so they remain "hidden" .)

[@PrevMedHealth]

Thanks. Hearing the progression of your reaction is especially helpful. For people with side effects to all other statins, Livalo (pitavastatin) often works. Yes, at least 20% have reactions. The question is whether they can get through them.

[@justrusty]

Thanks for the suggestion. Livalo was one I tried. Even at 2 mg I couldn't tolerate the side effects. So after going through Lipitor, Crestor, and Livalo, I've just given up on them. Even tried (with Dr's okay) every other day on Livalo. That didn't work either. In my line of work, I can't have the mental confusion I was having. I did things like left equipment powered on, endangering not just myself but others. Lucky I didn't get fired. Since being off them for a year, the difference is night and day.

[@amosytube]

I replaced statins with supplement Nattokinese after taking it for 15 years. It is really good.

[@Jollyprez]

If the main purpose of taking a statin is to reduce inflammation ( as opposed to lowering cholesterol ), what kind of doses are we talking about? I know that on your other videos you mentioned that you're taking 5mg of Crestor / day. A lower dose implies reduced or fewer side-effects - does that follow? Are there any studies on low-dose statins strictly for inflammation?

[@Jollyprez]

Yes, saw that video, I believe it has the old-ladies-licking-the-pills in it. :) Anyway, my cardiologist is very orthodox, and still wants statins for original purpose of lowering cholesterol. Mine is already at 142 and dropped to 122 when taking Lipitor 80mg/day post infarction. With side-effects I stopped it at the time. I am now following FB's regimen: 5mg/day Crestor, Niacin 2g/day, K2-M7 100mcg/day, etc. for now. I know the half-life of Crestor is 17 hours, so I take 1 5mg tablet every other day.

[@vinodparate]

​@@Jollyprezwhat's the LDL and hs CRP now? did you tell your physician that you are taking 5 mg now?

[@Jollyprez]

@@vinodparate My physician was more than happy to prescribe rosuvastatin. I don't have current numbers.

[@kindheart1188]

@@Jollyprez PLEASE read what I said about Rosuvastatin.

[@Jollyprez]

@@kindheart1188 I'm obviously not a doctor, but - I basically followed this channel's doctor's guidance. I've been doing that for 5 years, and I'm doing ok so far. Completely anecdotal, I know. I'm still using 2.5mg Rosuvastatin, 2g of Niacin, 200mcg K2-mk7, 5,000iu vitamin D, along with multivitamin. At 150, I'm not concerned about cholesterol at all. My problem was stress and very low vitamin D.

[@NK-tm6tf]

Sorry , am confused after watching video.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Unfortunately, I leave a lot of people confused. I focus on balance; providing BOTH sides of an issue. That makes it harder to follow than the typical KZbin vid.

[@bru1015]

Hi Dr., thank you so must for this series. I have to say I’m confused. I went back and rewatched #2 and have a few questions. To me it sounds like it’s better to not go on statins in the first place, because if you go on them then quite you’re worse off. Is this correct? What is acute coronary syndrome verses high cholesterol? What dose statins do to make plac instability stable? How do I tell if It’s safer for me to go off the meds.? Thanks, 👩‍🌾

[@PrevMedHealth]

Pardon the response delay. A lot of people of started on statins that don't need it. High LDL is the most common reason. But you should really start statins if you've got inflammation. That's a very different situation. Most docs don't even look for that. Consider a CIMT, inflammation panel, and an insulin survey.

[@bru1015]

Ford Brewer MD MPH , thank you for your thoughts. 😊

[@PrevMedHealth]

YW.

[@lleehome]

I took statins for a number of years and developed muscle/joint pain and fatigue, etc. I felt bad for almost a year before I realized the statins could be causing it. I have tried others and find the pain returns very quickly. I stopped taking them and my numbers elevated again. Last June I decided to go whole food plant based with my diet. My numbers dropped quite a bit but not enough to get me into safe numbers. Ex. LDL 187. So I re-evaluated what I was doing and I’m now doing no oil, no nuts no avocado to see if that helps. 3 weeks and my numbers went down but still not enough. Perhaps I need more time to get the full effect? Bottom line...I am at a loss as to what to do to get into healthier cholesterol numbers (all my other numbers look good). Any suggestions?

[@katherine9798]

Please don’t be focused on the numbers - they are an estimate at best.

[@PrevMedHealth]

?? He’s talking about dosages.

[@triceps1961]

Albert Einstein said, "question everything". I "highly" question the AMA numerical guide lines. I have been involved with the medical system since 1980 (renal failure) and have watched those "normal" ranges change dramatically since then. Are they being tampered with for profit? I just don't know in these "Bizarre" modern times where compassion has been lost and replaced with the "lust" for $$$. Very confusing indeed...

[@1700TRIUMPH]

Put DR Natasha Campbell McBride in the KZbin search bar. Various videos on cholestrol and loads of other advice. Hope this helps you.

[@whatifi4880]

I am now on the new shot call.Repatha...I cannot believe the way I feel.No more pills..

[@Akileshg1]

Hi doc I'm 23, with LDL of 173 My doc prescribed 10mg of Rosuvastatin daily I took them for a month and now it's 73 (LDL) Should I reduce the dosage to 10mg thrice a week? I am fit and eat relatively healthy, I don;t want to take pills for the rest of my life

[@techknowledgestuff]

Bro. My LDL is usually around 190. I am very health conscious. I am doing fine. I beat pre-diabetes. Have also lost 25 kgs of weight. Get off statins immediately and move to low carb diet or intermittent fasting or time-restricted feeding. You should make sure inflammation in your body is less. This can be done by ensuring that triglyceride to HDL ratio is less than 3. Make sure your BMI is always less than 25. You will be fine

[@itisme8610]

Hi Doctor, would you recommend crestor 10mg on alternate day to reduce side effects? I am a smoker and have 2 stents due to heart attack.

[@PrevMedHealth]

I’ve had many patients on 5 or even 2.5 qod (every other day). It’s not clear that 10 qod is significantly better than 5 daily. Here’s why; the half-life is 17 hours.

[@RamonaPereira-yg9uc]

If the test is so inaccurate, why run it.

[@condoguy710]

After my lipid panel came back with 198 LDL and 255 total cholesterol, the triglycerides were 105 and HDL 38, my doctor put me on 10mg of Crestor. Within a week I noticed an aching feeling in my liver. I just turned 57 and I did very well on my stress test and echo cardiogram. I do a lot of fast walking up and down hills My doctor seemed pretty insistent I not take EOD. My naturopath wants me to try Berberine. I have tried every diet there is and my LDL just kept climbing. What to do w sides, I think Crestor is a dangerous drug personally but I am not happy that this LDL is so high and possibly oxidizing because my liver is not reabsorbing it back from my bloodstream. thanks for any info

[@PrevMedHealth]

Re: the evidence that even once/week dosage impacts inflammation and cv risk. We have used it once weekly in several situations. And it worked. We use the every other day dosage often.

[@kingly71]

Ever try the berberine... or anything else for that matter? Niacin maybe? Your numbers are extremely similar to mine - though my HDL is higher. I'm 20 years younger however and fear the effects of high LDL over the coming decades (hopefully lol). I'm more focused on IR and inflammation which I think are much more important, but improving cholesterol ratios would be very welcome. I'd recommend a calcium score at some point. If you're good in that department then you can probably worry less about the lipoprotein numbers. Or at least reassess your priorities.

[@condoguy710]

Matt K my functional med internist is seeing success with Bergamot. So I’ve been supplementing with that. My cardiologist advised not to do calcium score based on my stress test I suppose. I can do without the extra radiation anyway. So basically I’m taking Crestor without any test confirming or disproving I have any plaque or calcification. I will see what my first lipid panel shows after taking statin.

[@yvonnecoo1]

Dont prescribe statins then you would have to come off them and then no risks coming off them ....sense or what

[@jeffdeal485]

Clogged arteries can be fixed. Kidney and liver failure, bye bye.

[@donstewart368]

opinions vary.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Thanks. Yes

[@paschaliskkaras8268]

no one should take statins they harm your body they attack the muscle and the heart is a big muscle so just think about it a little bit it is all about making money

[@funeralangel8262]

Very interesting. Always good education from this Doc. 👍💕

[@PrevMedHealth]

Thank you very much.

[@neilfrank1726]

Statins damaged my liver. So I stopped. Feel great on vegan diet.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Thanks for sharing

[@Nicksonian]

That’s what statins do, they shut down essential liver functions like creating essential cholesterol. You need large, buoyant LDL created by the liver to survive. If you have metabolic syndrome, the HDL that carries used up, small, dense LDL back to the liver can’t keep up the small, dense LDL builds up causing plaques and inflammation. But statins inhibit all cholesterol production, even HDL. Statins not only inhibit production of cholesterol, the added result is that the liver loses even more ability to process small, dense LDL exacerbating the problem. Statins, in effect, create a negative feedback loop. The better option is to cure metabolic syndrome which lessens fatty liver, which improves liver function. You can either fix your liver function through lifestyle changes, or go on a statin and destroy your liver.

[@skipbanks4fun1]

thank you

[@jacekkubiak3551]

I am careful ...

[@ranger053]

I wish I never took it, it alters your normalcy, it’s started to people too easy.

[@bernardcohen3245]

Mr personality

[@truhunk1]

OK Ford. But what about all these other findings that say cholesterol is actually good for you. That people with higher cholesterol tend to live longer. That high cholesterol does not cause heart disease. ? Do you agree with those statements ? Do you think those statements may be accurate ? Or are you not sure ?

[@PrevMedHealth]

As a practicing doc, I can tell you that ldl cholesterol does not usually drive the cv risk process. It’s cv inflammation. It’s a key reason for starting this channel 2 years ago. I’ve said it many times in many videos. Ldl cholesterol DOES make a difference when it’s extremely high. That occurs with FH, Familial Hypercholesterolemia. kzbin.info/www/bejne/emaQo2V-o7-KjLs kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIOwoX9soLCcldk kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYS4mGSAZtR4q9k

[@PrevMedHealth]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4C6d2OBibOoaMk

[@PrevMedHealth]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHzShqJ8hLqBbpI

[@charanjitdhindsa8740]

Watch dr biswaroop choudhary on statins. To know more.

[@plee288]

This guy is not a smooth talker esp at the beginning

[@stephenmulwitz378]

ALSO STATINS CONTROL INFLAMMATION AND INCREASE NITRIC OXIDE WHICH SUPPLY MORE OXYGEN!

[@starrynight8007]

other more natural approaches can do that = BEETS for NO. Inflammation = No refined sugar, processed foods, carbs., stress.

[@North49191]

I wish people who are plumbers and store clerks would stop giving medical advice in the comments.

[@funeralangel8262]

They are giving _opinions_ - not advice . 👍

[@Nicksonian]

There is plenty of advice out there by well respected cardiologists, doctors, and medical researchers who are nearly universally against the prescription of statins. I am perfectly capable of absorbing what they say and passing it along.

[@marionake5618]

When you decide to stop statins you must stop the meat and dairy . There's plenty of other great food out there .

[@Nicksonian]

Dairy probably, meat no. The long perpetuated myth that eating cholesterol raises your cholesterol has been debunked.

[@loramcclamrock5549]

not really helpful if you want to stay off.

[@andys2151]

Stop statins and see the changes in your health...I did.

[@PrevMedHealth]

Good luck! You might need it.

[@robertallain8966]

ha ha .. all you are wussies lol.. I had triglycerides at 3000 and everything else was good . been on statins for 30 years plus and one day just stopped cold turkey . yeah my scores are all over the board , been in the hospital once and bed ridden for days 3 times but im managing it . last year the blood person said she couldn't separate my blood in the spinner machine cause it was too fatty lol.. well im 49 and at 21 I was diagnosed with high triglycerides over 3000 for years now and im fine ..

[@kindheart1188]

So, you started taking statins at age 19???

[@robertallain8966]

@@kindheart1188 around age 20 .