Quick clarifications: -Many viewers are asking for an in-depth video on lp(a). We have one covering the basics ua-cam.com/video/-WRRyG8il4g/v-deo.html but will make an updated one soon because this field has been exploding lately - Statins don't lower lp(a). They can even raise it a bit. Statins lower ApoB overall, so this is 1 strategy to lower risk in people with high lp(a), lowering ApoB overall so risk is offset. There is currently no therapy to specifically lower lp(a). Note: Niacin can lower lp(a) to some extent but most niacin trials have not shown risk reduction so niacin is generally not recommended - Statin *dose* is a big factor. Side effects are much more common at high doses. High doses are much less prescribed nowadays and when further lowering is necessary combined therapy is often used (adding a different drug to the statin, like Zetia or PCSk9 inhibitors)
Lp(a) is a pretty challenging thing since I don't see much to really lower it. I did come across an article indicating aspirin could be very effective. Is this true?
After watching your channel for the past few years I have changed my diet to lower my marginally high cholesterol (about 3 years ago). I am 63 year old male not taking any medication. My latest Lipid Panel (12/21/24): Total Cholesterol 163 LDL Cholesterol 85 HDL Cholesterol 68 Triglycerides 48 Non-HDL cholesterol 95 Apolipoprotein A 17 Apolipoprotein B 76 Thank you for creating this channel.
@@manarsamad7378 Most days... Breakfast: Steel cut oats M-F, 3 eggs w/Ezekiel toast, S&S. Lunch: chicken or lentil soup. Dinner: broiled salmon or a white fish, a green vegetable or large salad with olive oil and vinegar dressing. Snacks: yogurt, cottage cheese, apples, blueberries, and blackberries. A few times a month I may have bison, pasta, and yes the occasional desert. It was a slow process of finding better nutritional foods and swapping them. I normally only cheat on the holiday's or on vacation.
How did you get your apoB tested? It's like pulling teeth getting that done out where I live... No doctor will ever prescribe anything outside of the regular testing
I am 74 and have been on a plant-based diet most of my life. Had very high lipid levels while at the peak of my career due to poor exercise and an inconsistent diet. However, after retirement some 10 years ago, I changed my lifestyle to regular exercise and a balanced diet with portion control, dramatically lowering my weight and lipids and even getting rid of my sleep apnea. This is by far one of my most trusted sources for both dietary as well as highly evidence-based advice on key health issues for me
Found out my lp(a) is 120nmol/L and would absolutely love a video covering lp(a), what it is, what it does, and how much it really increases CVD risk. Social media is all over the place with this topic!! I have more questions than answers.
Great suggestion! But in the meantime, the reason statins are often prescribed for those with elevated LP(a) is because this is a significant risk factor for CAD, and we need to be extra vigilant about reducing other modifiable risk factors like high LDL so as not to add insult to injury (so to speak). As a side note, PCSK9i have an off-label benefit of lowering LP(a) a bit, but not enough to make a tremendous difference. I'm 71 and have elevate LP(a) and take a PCSK9i and a very low dose statin to get my LDL way down (which it now is). Also, I eat a largely whole plant diet and exercise. Good sleep? I try🥺.
I’ll add my request for a video on Lp(a) since I recently found out that I am positive at 237 nmol/dL. My understanding is that 20% of the population is positive, though in the U.S., most people are not tested (a blood test) , so they are unaware of the atherosclerotic danger Lp(a) can pose. Thanks so much for your commitment to clarity and scientific education.
I am on 140mg Repatha every 2 weeks and LDL 31mg/dl without statins. I eat mostly plants. Had I eaten mostly plants from childhood, I probably would not have suffered heart disease. IMO of all the influencers on UA-cam, Dr. Carvalho is absolutely top tier...Anecdote but probably all too common, "I take a statin and eat whatever I want." Quote from a fellow who died a few years later from colon cancer. Yes, he had colonoscopy every 5 years. Key comment by Dr. Carvalho: "some individuals". Totally refreshing to hear intellect, logic, compassion and reasonableness on social media.
I love your focus on well-designed study results and perspective on anecdotal claims. I would also like to hear more about Lpa and your decision to take a statin. Please keep the videos coming, thank you for what you do!!
also, I've love you make a video on this topic. "Statin use in middle-aged adults has also been shown to block cardiorespiratory and mitochondrial adaptations expected with aerobic exercise training". apparently multiple studies have shown this. This is why I personally chose to take ezetimibe + bempedoic acid
I took them for a few months and noticed memory issues. I lost my pills for a few weeks while I moved from one house to another and noticed my memory improving almost immediately. When I found them again, I started taking and, sure enough, started noticing the memory issues. I quit taking altogether. I know it's an N of 1, but I'd rather die young but with my faculties than old and demented.
You do know that there are a) different kinds of statins, and for some they will find that affects from one aren't noticed in another, rght? Also, there are other options aside from "die young" or "take a statin." IE, there are lifestyle changes, and other medications, like Ezetimibe, and PCSK9 inhibitors. Why totally give up on maintaining good heart health after just trying one medication?
I was caught in that debate by different sides of the dieting social media world, lol! For many years I was low-carb and in that world Cholesterol is talked about as a "myth" and statins were vilified as at best useless to patients and at worst just a way to deplete your money while giving you terrible side effects. After I developed heart disease after listening to that (and maintaining an elevated LDL level for years without medication), I started to take a statin after being diagnosed with heart disease and having to get a stent placed. But after a couple of years, I started getting a bit sloppy about my diet, and additionally I think all the social media about muscle problems and statins got to me as I started feeling every ache or pain was due to that, so my cardiologist let me go down to one dose per week. My LDL went back up to the 80s, and within a year or so my angina came back. At that point I got scared and went 180 degrees with diet to a low-fat vegan (WFPB) diet, but still kept mostly off the statin. LDL initially dropped into the 50s, but then slowly went back into the 70s and within a year and a half I had an NSTEMI. Since then (6 years), I've been diligently taking a statin daily, keeping my saturated fat low, still plant-based, but not as low-fat as Esselstyn. No issues thankfully in those 6 years. I've never had issues with brain fog, memory, etc. with statins, and I haven't had any more muscle issues either. I know that some people have very obvious (to them) effects with statins, but I definitely feel like I experienced a nocebo effect due to being influenced by social media, so I do think that's possible. The question to me is, how do you get around that? I guess getting off social media, lol!
Nice presentation. My personal experience is as follows: For many years, I was taking 10mg of Rosuvastatin. About 3 years ago, I had an angiogram, which revealed a moderate level of calcified plaque.I was 62 years of age then. My LDL was around 120mg/dl. The cardiologist increased the statin to 20mg and added ezetimibe. At the same time, I changed my diet to completely plant based. Within 2 months, my LDL went down to 44mg/dl. APOB was 80mg/dl. I stopped taking the ezetimibe and retested three months later. My LDL was 55mg/dl. I also began daily walking 3 miles and my weight decreased from 98kg to 85kg within a further 6 months. I had no side effects from the statin.
My brother-in-law started lipitor and within a day he had a fever, red face, headache and malaise. Dr. stopped his lipitor, waited two weeks then started again; same symptoms returned so he is one person who cannot/should not take a statin.
That’s not a good conclusion. Atorvastatin (was brand named Lipitor) is an old statin and not really preferred. Rosuvastatin is generally better, but individual results will vary. Atorvastatin gave me shoulder blade pain, in a very specific location, interestingly. Rosuvastatin has no noticeable side effects (for me).
Not THAT statin. There are others, especially Crestor which is not as likely to cause these issues. You can’t just ignore the reason he was originally told to take a statin. They lower inflammation and can be used strategically to lower inflammation which causes plaque
I think that is the wrong conclusion... "he is the one person who cannot/should not take a statin." There are several types of statins. Many people who can't tolerate one, can do just fine on another. Strange that his doctor would just give up without trying a alternative. Look up several others, not just atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. (Lipitor and Crestor are the brand names of those two. Several others available. Ask the doctor instead of just throwing out the entire class of statins.
Thank you for clearing this up Dr. Carvalho. I have seen the studies indicating "hypocholesterolism" could contribute to dementia. I had an MI 12 years ago, got my act together including losing about 30 pounds, exercising vigorously, eating a protein and green veg diet with little to no carbs or processed foods and started taking a statin (Lipitor). Only 6 months after my MI my total serum cholesterol was down to 97 (from 190), LDL down to 48 (from 102) and, even better, my A1C fell from 6.4 to 5.1. So pretty healthy overall, no more BP or other issues, no symptoms of pre-diabetes or otherwise. Hearing the low cholesterol and especially LDL is likely not causative of dementia is great to hear.
Yes please, make a video about lp(a) and how to deal with it when your value is super high. In my case, I am 65 year old with low cholesterol and low ApoB (78 mg/dL) but my Lp(a) is > 175 mmol/L. I just started taking statin to reduce the other risk factors. I thought my heart was super healthy until I got a CT Calcium scan and the result was 534. After panicking for a couple of days (ok maybe longer :) ), I found your channel and it has been a Godsend gift. I have learned so much and it has really helped me change my lifestyle and also helped me weed thru so many YT channels talking non-sense. Again, Thank you for all your content.
I am much like you with a decent APOB, but just like you a high LP(a), so I too am seeking answers. But the 2 cardiologists I have spoken to have little to offer in advice. Maybe the third one will be the charm.
+1 for video on Lp(a). I (45) have a hereditary risk for cvd, so my doctor checks my lipids. My cholesterol was high, but I got it down somewhat with lifestyle changes. I asked him about Lp(a)? He said as it can't be changed, why check. I left it at that, but I guess I'd like to know after all - especially after hearing from the fact that you take statins to offset the higher risk from Lp(a) yourself.
I would be interested in hearing what drove you to go on statins for Lp(a). I am an overproducer of cholesterol *and* I have high Lp(a). Lifestyle changes (exercise and plant based Mediterranean diet) have made me healthier, and lowered trigs, but did almost nothing to my cholesterol. Plant sterols and a "whiff" of statins (1/2 of the lowest dose, every other day) have lowered my cholesterol, but I was under the impression that statins didn't help lower Lp(a). Do they help in some other way that is beneficial?
right, they dont lower lp(a), they may even increase it a bit, they lower ApoB overall to try to offset lp(a)-mediated risk. it's a bit counterintuitive :)
I thought there was a new medicine coming out to target Lp(a) , maybe still in trials or approval stage ( no huge prevalence of cardiac conditions in extended family , so never checked mine )
@@nimblegoat Medicines for LP(a) reduction are still in trials, but nearly done. They will probably come out in a year or two. But definitely within the next five years.
Statins had a horrible effect on me. I had only positive notions of statins when my doctor prescribed them - stating my triglycerides were through the roof (I was in my 50s). Fairly rapidly, I went as white as a sheet (my niece remarked on it when we met up for a Darwin exhibition); skin was peeling off my knuckles; my ears itched like crazy. I was used to running 10k and 20k for exercise but could barely mange 20 mins before feeling exhausted (no muscle pain or cramps though). There were other symptoms too and my doctor put me through three different types of statin but eventually I got exasperated with the experimentation. I called my sister (who was a cardiac nurse at the time) and she suggested my endrocrine system was suffering. The effects were so marked that it was recorded on the so-called "yellow card" system here in the UK. I stopped the statins and the symptoms cleared up fairly quickly. I'll never go near them ever again (and 20 years later, after some minor changes in diet, my bloods are good to reasonable). I often wonder if the original numbers were recorded incorrectly or were for someone else!
Thanks a lot Dr. Gil for all the efforts that you put into this channel. It is really a light in the dark and a beacon of high quality information. Wishing you and your family a good start into the new year and may it be a year full of health and happiness for you and your loved ones!
Hi Gil from Australia, your channel is absolutely fantastic, clear concise information based on scientific data. I recently decided to drop my 5mg of Crestor for the next 3 months to see if I can control my LDL with a strict diet and exercise, all the best and keep the great videos coming.
Dr. Gill, I too have high lp(a). I also had a calcium score of 121 at 43. In order to get my LDL below 50, I am on 40 mg of Rosuvastatin and Rapatha. No side effects. Love your videos, thank you for what you are doing
Great vid on statins. Lipator however caused me lower back pain. trigger finger and shoulder soreness as well as raising my blood sugar(and liver readings) making me pre diabetic (5.9) in less then a year. all of which disappeared when I stopped lipator..
Lower dose or switch to Crestor which has been shown not to be as likely to cause these issues. Arbitrarily stopping a statin for these reasons is ill advised if there was a reason to take it. You should not just ignore that.
Anecdotally, I’ve been on Repatha for a little over a year, and believe I am experiencing a mild cognitive impact. Not enough to cause issues with day to day life, but enough to notice I’m a bit slower with recall, etc. But it has reduced my LDL from over 200 to sub-60. Worth the trade, I think.
My auntie took cholesterol lowering drugs. Made her forget memory and caused her confusion. She came off it and is fine. She said she would never go on them again.
Love your channel. It’s so confusing these days and I just heard about a study linking a category of statins to a higher risk of dementia (eg. Lipitor). Had family members that experienced various symptoms decades ago and it was horrible seeing it. They got better after stopping the statins. I think most people are statin-averse because most doctors (mine for sure) will not talk about any thing but a statin. I recently requested Niacin RX, but it was not easy. I know there are issues with it but they scare me less. Thanks for your great talks.
Please do a separate video on lp(a). I got my results back, and my number is shy high. I've managed to keep LDL and ApoB under control through diet and lifestyle, but my doctor is still concerned about my long-term outlook with a high number. He says that since it's genetic, there isn't much that can be done right now except to control all other risk factors. What really worries me is the potential blood clotting effect of lp(a).
Thank you so much for the sanity you bring to these topics and helping people make informed decisions! I have an Lp(a) of 470 nmol/L + borderline high LDL and Apo B. My HbA1c is 5.6-5.9. From everything you have said it sounds like I should talk to my cardiologist about taking a statin - maybe Pravistatin? I am 58, had a mitral valve replacement Sept. 2022 and at that time my coronary arteries were ‘pristine’ I walk/hike regularly and do resistance training 3x per week. My main meals are whole food and healthy the majority of the time. Snacking before and after dinner is my downfall. My BMI is 22-23 but I think I am one of those low fat tolerant people…
Thanks for another great video, doc! Any particular reason you didn’t start PCSK 9i like Repatha given your elevated Lp(a)? I know that even PCSK9is only lower it up to 30%, but that’s better than nothing or even slightly elevated Lp(a) on a statin…
I've had only a handful of patients over the years who have complained of the "statin fog" or "statin stupid" and in most when we stopped it or started it again after they stopped it themselves there wasn't any convincing association between the statin and their symptoms. But as always, if someone is having side effects it's best to reassess, make some changes, and go from there.
Another vote for a video on using statins in the setting of elevated Lp(a); why not just a PCSK9 inhibitor, which may lower Lp(a) a bit, as opposed to statins, which can raise it?
I was on Atorvastatin and suffered from a kind of brain fog and generally not feeling with it. I then changed to Rasuvastatin and have no side effects. Along with diet changes my LDL is now 1/3 of my previous was. My fitness has improved has also improved.
Dr GIl, thank you so much for an in depth diving into this topic! I'm also very curious about lp(a) as have it on a pretty high point as well. Will greatly appreciate a vid/article about that.
I am a hyper absorber of cholesterol so even plant foods make it go up. I started using ezetimibe 3 months ago and lowered my LDL by 100 points! And increased my HDL by 10 points. Oh, and I only took 5 mg a day. I had zero side effects. Edit: And yes, plant 'sterols' can make one's cholesterol go up.
I’m so curious about your comment, I have high cholesterol and whether I eat no fat at all, or no carbs, or paleo or vegan, it’s is always high. Interesting to hear that’s not unheard of. I’ve taken a statin for years, and they just upped it. It really bothers my joints. I’ll look into ezetimibe. Would love to eliminate the side effects. Thank you!
Curious why you take a statin when you already have low LDL and statins have been shown to increase Lp)a)? Asking for myself because my Lp(a) is over 300 nmol/L.
Thanks for the video as usual. You caught my interest when you mentioned Statins and Lp(a). I thought that statins wouldn't really touch those levels effectively? I thought that Lp(a) levels were mostly influenced by heredity? I have heard the PCSK9 inhibitors can reduce Lp(a) some 30% though. Thanks again!
Gil. I’m 56 5’11 weight is 280 pre diabetic. Right on the verge of 6.5 A1C. Last LDL was around 110. Never had APO B tested. Trigs are about 170. Hesitant about low carb and too much saturated fat and red meat. Should I be worried about that?
-2:07 Gil, I am on low dose statin and have high Lp(a). I have a healthy life style but my LDL still gets slightly high without a statin.. I read statins do not reduce Lp(a). They actually raise Lp(a) by 10-12% and my labs show this. Curious why you take them involving high Lp(a) ?
There are a number of people who report mental issue side effects (and muscle soreness) while taking statin drugs. Is it possible that some people have adverse effects from the drug while the general population does not?
That's basically what he said in the video! However, there's also a possibility of the "nocebo" affect for some. I believe I experienced this when I first went on a statin. Or it could also be different statins have different levels of side effects for some. I experienced them with Lipitor, but have experienced zero issues with Crestor. But people tend to lump all statins together because it's easier, just as they tend to lump a lot of things together. It's easier on the brain to stereotype and make generalizations than it is it recognize there is nuance about everything...
I'd like to see a study that explores if people who watch these kind of videos YT and attempt to make lifestyle changes based on them live longer and healthier.
Thanks for the info. I didn’t think loss of cognitive function was from reduction of cholesterol in the brain. I thought it was from cholesterol lowering drugs depleting CQ-10 in the brain. Limiting CQ-10 from its use in memory. When CQ10 is adequate in the brain. No issues on statins. If depleted, then statins might cause memory loss.
I am on Ezetimibe and Red Yeast Rice because I have horrible side effects from prescription statins. I’m hopeful that this will be the magic bullet. Will find out soon after I have the next blood work done.
To the extent red yeast rice works it's because it includes a statin type substance. The general problem with RYR is that it isn't regulated, so you don't know what you're getting and how much you're getting. Ezetimibe is good.
I recall reading a study that looked at a meta analysis of the statins and dementia issue, breaking down pre-treatment cholesterol levels into high vs low. Overall, the effect of the development of dementia was lower with statins, which was heavily stressed in the results. The higher the pre-treatment cholesterol, the lower the dementia outcomes. However, those with low cholesterol had increased development of dementia when placed on a statin. I have very low total cholesterol (130), most likely due to having been vegan for 20+ years. I was placed on a statin for a cryptogenic stroke as there may be independent vascular benefits that might reduce the risk of a second cva. However, my mother and her 2 sisters all had dementia so this is a concern for me. Have you seen this study and are you aware of any increased risks in persons such as myself? I prefer not to have dementia OR a second stroke (although one can lead to the other).
I just started a pcsk9i. I am extremely curious about any and all research done on people who naturally have the pcsk9 gene turned off. Can you do some research and do a video on it? For example did they look at IQ, rates of cancer, respiratory illness, diabetes, cataracts, all cause mortality. Since these people naturally exist in the wild it must be extremely helpful to study them as we then effectively have 80+ years of data for each person. For instance if these people all die 10 years earlier on average or develop some specific illness or are cognitively impaired in some way it should show up in the data. It would be immensely helpful if you could research this.
I tried Rosuvastatin twice and got some pretty bad muscle aches that kept me awake at night. But honestly I don't always trust the science because of my experiences with doctors and my diagnosis of Hashimoto's.
After having a problem with rosuvastatin, how many of the other types of statins did you try? Seems so many people try one, have a problem, then just give up. They are different and many people do fine after trying a new one. At least try one of the other statins... and also many of the other non statins that can have a significant effect.
What do you make of the fact that some people see dramatic reductions in desmosterol levels (proxy for cholesterol synthesis in the brain) from statin use, just use Zeta + low dose statin? Attia and Dayspring dive deep into it. I hope PCSK9i become generic soon...
Gil my Lp(a) is high ish, of course hereditary. I was under the impression this was a fixed number and no meds can alter it. You say you’re on a statin for it. Can you give a little more info on this?
Thank you for your video. You said you take statins to lower something other than cholesterol. I did not catch why you are taking it. Could you please tell me? Appreciate.
Statins make me intensely nauseous. I tried Zetia instead and that makes me so dizzy I can't function. Even when I was a vegan I couldn't get my total cholesterol below 200. So I guess we're going to try yet another drug.
In medicine like in many other fields, there is too much focus on trial-and-error instead of solid deep understanding, which can be cultivated, but it needs people to teach it. We are blind chickens when we could be grand masters. Capitalism drives mass scarcity, which drives quantity-over-quality, or superficiality instead of depth.
Weirdly after I started my statins, I became super irritable doc. Everything was triggering and thats not the normal me. I eventually had to stop. And within about two days, my emotional regulation went right back to normal. I HEARD this is a rare effect? Is there any understanding as to why?
@@NutritionMadeSimpleyup. About a week of trying, I had ridiculous effects like near flying in to a rage my eggs weren’t cooking right in the pan. I knew it made zero sense. Went away after stopping.
People have told me the same. Recently, we traveled to Ireland with people we've known for years. The husband was impossible, aggressive, nasty, negative on everything. He recently started statins. I've heard the story of statin irritability multiple times. It's a real thing for many.
@@shkotayd9749 Is it possible you were nervous about taking a statin and that was creating generalized anxiety? Statins get such bad press especially online that it's reasonable to be worried/fearful/anxious when starting it. I was. But thanks to scientists like Dr. Carvalho my fears have been put to rest.
Since my heart attack this year I’ve been taking statins and Zetia. I have genetic hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol and high triglycerides, 270 ldl and 650 triglycerides while eating WFPB no oil diet and a 20 bmi. Now on the drugs my cholesterol is 44 and my triglycerides are 148. But I worried about how my brain was getting enough cholesterol to function. So good to hear my brain makes its own cholesterol. I had some cognitive changes 20 years ago when I tried the 1st statins. So I stopped them, haven’t noticed them so much with this newer brand. But definitely more muscle aches. Everything is give and take ,trying to learn how to accept and embrace my elder body ❤
Love your channel. It’s so confusing these days and I just heard about a study linking a category of statins to a higher risk of dementia (eg. Lipitor). Had family members that experienced various symptoms decades ago and it was horrible seeing it. They got better after stopping the statins. I think most people are statin-averse because most doctors (mine for sure) will not talk about any thing but a statin. I recently requested Niacin RX, but it was not easy. I know there are issues with it but they scare me less. Thanks for your great talks.
Look up PEER Simplified Cardiovascular Decision Aid. This information in this calculator is based on leading studies and it decides more accurately if statins are needed.
Quick clarifications:
-Many viewers are asking for an in-depth video on lp(a). We have one covering the basics ua-cam.com/video/-WRRyG8il4g/v-deo.html
but will make an updated one soon because this field has been exploding lately
- Statins don't lower lp(a). They can even raise it a bit. Statins lower ApoB overall, so this is 1 strategy to lower risk in people with high lp(a), lowering ApoB overall so risk is offset. There is currently no therapy to specifically lower lp(a). Note: Niacin can lower lp(a) to some extent but most niacin trials have not shown risk reduction so niacin is generally not recommended
- Statin *dose* is a big factor. Side effects are much more common at high doses. High doses are much less prescribed nowadays and when further lowering is necessary combined therapy is often used (adding a different drug to the statin, like Zetia or PCSk9 inhibitors)
@@NutritionMadeSimple would the reverse be possible….low LP(a) offsets some risk of higher APoB?
Im on 5mg/day of statin. No side effects at all.
Hello, could you talk more about Zetia in future videos? Thanks, Alex
Lp(a) is a pretty challenging thing since I don't see much to really lower it. I did come across an article indicating aspirin could be very effective. Is this true?
Why in the world would anyone want to block the Melvonate pathway? We know why bp wants to block it. $$$$$$$
After watching your channel for the past few years I have changed my diet to lower my marginally high cholesterol (about 3 years ago). I am 63 year old male not taking any medication. My latest Lipid Panel (12/21/24):
Total Cholesterol 163
LDL Cholesterol 85
HDL Cholesterol 68
Triglycerides 48
Non-HDL cholesterol 95
Apolipoprotein A 17
Apolipoprotein B 76
Thank you for creating this channel.
what do you eat?
@@manarsamad7378 Most days... Breakfast: Steel cut oats M-F, 3 eggs w/Ezekiel toast, S&S. Lunch: chicken or lentil soup. Dinner: broiled salmon or a white fish, a green vegetable or large salad with olive oil and vinegar dressing. Snacks: yogurt, cottage cheese, apples, blueberries, and blackberries. A few times a month I may have bison, pasta, and yes the occasional desert.
It was a slow process of finding better nutritional foods and swapping them. I normally only cheat on the holiday's or on vacation.
You're doing pretty well IMHO.
Your ApoB is what really matters, and that seems GREAT. I'm so glad Gil has helped you so much ❤.
How did you get your apoB tested? It's like pulling teeth getting that done out where I live... No doctor will ever prescribe anything outside of the regular testing
I am 74 and have been on a plant-based diet most of my life. Had very high lipid levels while at the peak of my career due to poor exercise and an inconsistent diet. However, after retirement some 10 years ago, I changed my lifestyle to regular exercise and a balanced diet with portion control, dramatically lowering my weight and lipids and even getting rid of my sleep apnea. This is by far one of my most trusted sources for both dietary as well as highly evidence-based advice on key health issues for me
But this UA-cam channel doesnt give medical advice.
Plant based?? Poor diet
Found out my lp(a) is 120nmol/L and would absolutely love a video covering lp(a), what it is, what it does, and how much it really increases CVD risk. Social media is all over the place with this topic!! I have more questions than answers.
Gil, I have high LPa but thought that there was no known treatment. Would you please make a video discussing your rationale for taking statins?
Great suggestion! But in the meantime, the reason statins are often prescribed for those with elevated LP(a) is because this is a significant risk factor for CAD, and we need to be extra vigilant about reducing other modifiable risk factors like high LDL so as not to add insult to injury (so to speak). As a side note, PCSK9i have an off-label benefit of lowering LP(a) a bit, but not enough to make a tremendous difference. I'm 71 and have elevate LP(a) and take a PCSK9i and a very low dose statin to get my LDL way down (which it now is). Also, I eat a largely whole plant diet and exercise. Good sleep? I try🥺.
Yess
Yes Please all UA-camrs discuss cholesterol without an asterisk for lil a.
Agreed!
He clarified in the pinned comment, saying there is indeed no treatment.
I’ll add my request for a video on Lp(a) since I recently found out that I am positive at 237 nmol/dL. My understanding is that 20% of the population is positive, though in the U.S., most people are not tested (a blood test) , so they are unaware of the atherosclerotic danger Lp(a) can pose. Thanks so much for your commitment to clarity and scientific education.
I am on 140mg Repatha every 2 weeks and LDL 31mg/dl without statins. I eat mostly plants. Had I eaten mostly plants from childhood, I probably would not have suffered heart disease. IMO of all the influencers on UA-cam, Dr. Carvalho is absolutely top tier...Anecdote but probably all too common, "I take a statin and eat whatever I want." Quote from a fellow who died a few years later from colon cancer. Yes, he had colonoscopy every 5 years. Key comment by Dr. Carvalho: "some individuals". Totally refreshing to hear intellect, logic, compassion and reasonableness on social media.
I love your focus on well-designed study results and perspective on anecdotal claims. I would also like to hear more about Lpa and your decision to take a statin. Please keep the videos coming, thank you for what you do!!
also, I've love you make a video on this topic. "Statin use in middle-aged adults has also been shown to block cardiorespiratory and mitochondrial adaptations expected with aerobic exercise training". apparently multiple studies have shown this. This is why I personally chose to take ezetimibe + bempedoic acid
Yes please make a video regarding this!
I took them for a few months and noticed memory issues. I lost my pills for a few weeks while I moved from one house to another and noticed my memory improving almost immediately. When I found them again, I started taking and, sure enough, started noticing the memory issues. I quit taking altogether. I know it's an N of 1, but I'd rather die young but with my faculties than old and demented.
You do know that there are a) different kinds of statins, and for some they will find that affects from one aren't noticed in another, rght? Also, there are other options aside from "die young" or "take a statin." IE, there are lifestyle changes, and other medications, like Ezetimibe, and PCSK9 inhibitors. Why totally give up on maintaining good heart health after just trying one medication?
I was caught in that debate by different sides of the dieting social media world, lol! For many years I was low-carb and in that world Cholesterol is talked about as a "myth" and statins were vilified as at best useless to patients and at worst just a way to deplete your money while giving you terrible side effects. After I developed heart disease after listening to that (and maintaining an elevated LDL level for years without medication), I started to take a statin after being diagnosed with heart disease and having to get a stent placed. But after a couple of years, I started getting a bit sloppy about my diet, and additionally I think all the social media about muscle problems and statins got to me as I started feeling every ache or pain was due to that, so my cardiologist let me go down to one dose per week. My LDL went back up to the 80s, and within a year or so my angina came back. At that point I got scared and went 180 degrees with diet to a low-fat vegan (WFPB) diet, but still kept mostly off the statin. LDL initially dropped into the 50s, but then slowly went back into the 70s and within a year and a half I had an NSTEMI. Since then (6 years), I've been diligently taking a statin daily, keeping my saturated fat low, still plant-based, but not as low-fat as Esselstyn. No issues thankfully in those 6 years.
I've never had issues with brain fog, memory, etc. with statins, and I haven't had any more muscle issues either. I know that some people have very obvious (to them) effects with statins, but I definitely feel like I experienced a nocebo effect due to being influenced by social media, so I do think that's possible. The question to me is, how do you get around that? I guess getting off social media, lol!
Be great to hear more about your reason for taking statins.
REQUEST!!! Do Hot Dogs cause cancer? Not much on UA-cam from any creditable sources. Love the work!!!
I find this information very useful, thank you.
Nice presentation. My personal experience is as follows:
For many years, I was taking 10mg of Rosuvastatin. About 3 years ago, I had an angiogram, which revealed a moderate level of calcified plaque.I was 62 years of age then.
My LDL was around 120mg/dl.
The cardiologist increased the statin to 20mg and added ezetimibe. At the same time, I changed my diet to completely plant based.
Within 2 months, my LDL went down to 44mg/dl.
APOB was 80mg/dl.
I stopped taking the ezetimibe and retested three months later. My LDL was 55mg/dl.
I also began daily walking 3 miles and my weight decreased from 98kg to 85kg within a further 6 months.
I had no side effects from the statin.
My brother-in-law started lipitor and within a day he had a fever, red face, headache and malaise. Dr. stopped his lipitor, waited two weeks then started again; same symptoms returned so he is one person who cannot/should not take a statin.
That’s not a good conclusion. Atorvastatin (was brand named Lipitor) is an old statin and not really preferred. Rosuvastatin is generally better, but individual results will vary. Atorvastatin gave me shoulder blade pain, in a very specific location, interestingly. Rosuvastatin has no noticeable side effects (for me).
Not THAT statin. There are others, especially Crestor which is not as likely to cause these issues. You can’t just ignore the reason he was originally told to take a statin. They lower inflammation and can be used strategically to lower inflammation which causes plaque
I think that is the wrong conclusion... "he is the one person who cannot/should not take a statin." There are several types of statins. Many people who can't tolerate one, can do just fine on another.
Strange that his doctor would just give up without trying a alternative.
Look up several others, not just atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. (Lipitor and Crestor are the brand names of those two.
Several others available. Ask the doctor instead of just throwing out the entire class of statins.
@@judyculang3766statins can cause calcification?
Never disappointed with your presentations. Always straight to the point, objective, and delivered without drama or hyperbole.
Agreed
Thank you for clearing this up Dr. Carvalho. I have seen the studies indicating "hypocholesterolism" could contribute to dementia. I had an MI 12 years ago, got my act together including losing about 30 pounds, exercising vigorously, eating a protein and green veg diet with little to no carbs or processed foods and started taking a statin (Lipitor). Only 6 months after my MI my total serum cholesterol was down to 97 (from 190), LDL down to 48 (from 102) and, even better, my A1C fell from 6.4 to 5.1. So pretty healthy overall, no more BP or other issues, no symptoms of pre-diabetes or otherwise. Hearing the low cholesterol and especially LDL is likely not causative of dementia is great to hear.
Yes please, make a video about lp(a) and how to deal with it when your value is super high.
In my case, I am 65 year old with low cholesterol and low ApoB (78 mg/dL) but my Lp(a) is > 175 mmol/L. I just started taking statin to reduce the other risk factors.
I thought my heart was super healthy until I got a CT Calcium scan and the result was 534. After panicking for a couple of days (ok maybe longer :) ), I found your channel and it has been a Godsend gift. I have learned so much and it has really helped me change my lifestyle and also helped me weed thru so many YT channels talking non-sense.
Again, Thank you for all your content.
I am much like you with a decent APOB, but just like you a high LP(a), so I too am seeking answers. But the 2 cardiologists I have spoken to have little to offer in advice. Maybe the third one will be the charm.
not the hard calcium that will kill its soft plaque, they need to test that, hopefully you had neck ultrasound and the CTA - with contrast dye.
+1 for video on Lp(a). I (45) have a hereditary risk for cvd, so my doctor checks my lipids. My cholesterol was high, but I got it down somewhat with lifestyle changes. I asked him about Lp(a)? He said as it can't be changed, why check. I left it at that, but I guess I'd like to know after all - especially after hearing from the fact that you take statins to offset the higher risk from Lp(a) yourself.
You are my go to source for evidence based nutrition info! Thanks!
I would be interested in hearing what drove you to go on statins for Lp(a). I am an overproducer of cholesterol *and* I have high Lp(a). Lifestyle changes (exercise and plant based Mediterranean diet) have made me healthier, and lowered trigs, but did almost nothing to my cholesterol. Plant sterols and a "whiff" of statins (1/2 of the lowest dose, every other day) have lowered my cholesterol, but I was under the impression that statins didn't help lower Lp(a). Do they help in some other way that is beneficial?
The general recommendation for high Lp(a) is to reduce other risks as much as possible, even if statins don't do much for Lp(a).
right, they dont lower lp(a), they may even increase it a bit, they lower ApoB overall to try to offset lp(a)-mediated risk. it's a bit counterintuitive :)
If you’re a hyperabsorber of cholesterol the plant sterols may be the wrong thing to be taking.
I thought there was a new medicine coming out to target Lp(a) , maybe still in trials or approval stage ( no huge prevalence of cardiac conditions in extended family , so never checked mine )
@@nimblegoat Medicines for LP(a) reduction are still in trials, but nearly done. They will probably come out in a year or two. But definitely within the next five years.
Statins had a horrible effect on me. I had only positive notions of statins when my doctor prescribed them - stating my triglycerides were through the roof (I was in my 50s). Fairly rapidly, I went as white as a sheet (my niece remarked on it when we met up for a Darwin exhibition); skin was peeling off my knuckles; my ears itched like crazy. I was used to running 10k and 20k for exercise but could barely mange 20 mins before feeling exhausted (no muscle pain or cramps though). There were other symptoms too and my doctor put me through three different types of statin but eventually I got exasperated with the experimentation. I called my sister (who was a cardiac nurse at the time) and she suggested my endrocrine system was suffering. The effects were so marked that it was recorded on the so-called "yellow card" system here in the UK. I stopped the statins and the symptoms cleared up fairly quickly. I'll never go near them ever again (and 20 years later, after some minor changes in diet, my bloods are good to reasonable). I often wonder if the original numbers were recorded incorrectly or were for someone else!
some people are indeed intolerant, it's possible it's your case, glad you found other ways to optimize your metrics!
Amazing work! I’ve been looking for natural ways to improve digestion, and this was so informative. Any more tips on this topic
Thanks a lot Dr. Gil for all the efforts that you put into this channel. It is really a light in the dark and a beacon of high quality information.
Wishing you and your family a good start into the new year and may it be a year full of health and happiness for you and your loved ones!
Hi Gil from Australia, your channel is absolutely fantastic, clear concise information based on scientific data. I recently decided to drop my 5mg of Crestor for the next 3 months to see if I can control my LDL with a strict diet and exercise, all the best and keep the great videos coming.
Dr. Gill, I too have high lp(a). I also had a calcium score of 121 at 43.
In order to get my LDL below 50, I am on 40 mg of Rosuvastatin and Rapatha. No side effects.
Love your videos, thank you for what you are doing
This pod is always well researched and insightful.
Great vid on statins. Lipator however caused me lower back pain. trigger finger and shoulder soreness as well as raising my blood sugar(and liver readings) making me pre diabetic (5.9) in less then a year. all of which disappeared when I stopped lipator..
Lower dose or switch to Crestor which has been shown not to be as likely to cause these issues. Arbitrarily stopping a statin for these reasons is ill advised if there was a reason to take it. You should not just ignore that.
Info about LP(a) would be greatly appreciated
Anecdotally, I’ve been on Repatha for a little over a year, and believe I am experiencing a mild cognitive impact. Not enough to cause issues with day to day life, but enough to notice I’m a bit slower with recall, etc.
But it has reduced my LDL from over 200 to sub-60. Worth the trade, I think.
Same. Been on Repatha (no statins) for over a year. I have noticed brain fog, and I'm a little less motivated.
Would you mind also giving the European figures in your videos please?
My auntie took cholesterol lowering drugs. Made her forget memory and caused her confusion. She came off it and is fine. She said she would never go on them again.
Exactly - same result here.
That is so vague that it is hard to find any sense from it. And there are dozens of different medications.
She "forgot memory"? 🤔
@@joerenner8334 I'd love to give you all the details. But it's a comment section. I don't want to write an essay either. Take it or leave it.
@@dannyspitzer1267 you know what i mean, lol.
Yes video on Lpa.
there was a study on people with dementia where introducing a statin made it worse, temporarily, until statin was removed. This wasn't mentioned here.
feel free to link below. anything we find that significantly changes the landscape re: what's discussed here will be reflected in future content. tks
Love your channel. It’s so confusing these days and I just heard about a study linking a category of statins to a higher risk of dementia (eg. Lipitor). Had family members that experienced various symptoms decades ago and it was horrible seeing it. They got better after stopping the statins. I think most people are statin-averse because most doctors (mine for sure) will not talk about any thing but a statin. I recently requested Niacin RX, but it was not easy. I know there are issues with it but they scare me less. Thanks for your great talks.
Please do a separate video on lp(a). I got my results back, and my number is shy high. I've managed to keep LDL and ApoB under control through diet and lifestyle, but my doctor is still concerned about my long-term outlook with a high number. He says that since it's genetic, there isn't much that can be done right now except to control all other risk factors. What really worries me is the potential blood clotting effect of lp(a).
Please make a video about nattokinase. It needs to be discussed as much as statins.
Thank you so much for the sanity you bring to these topics and helping people make informed decisions! I have an Lp(a) of 470 nmol/L + borderline high LDL and Apo B. My HbA1c is 5.6-5.9. From everything you have said it sounds like I should talk to my cardiologist about taking a statin - maybe Pravistatin?
I am 58, had a mitral valve replacement Sept. 2022 and at that time my coronary arteries were ‘pristine’
I walk/hike regularly and do resistance training 3x per week. My main meals are whole food and healthy the majority of the time. Snacking before and after dinner is my downfall. My BMI is 22-23 but I think I am one of those low fat tolerant people…
Hi Gil, appreciate all your work. Would love you to make a vid on lp(a)
Thanks for another great video, doc! Any particular reason you didn’t start PCSK 9i like Repatha given your elevated Lp(a)? I know that even PCSK9is only lower it up to 30%, but that’s better than nothing or even slightly elevated Lp(a) on a statin…
I've had only a handful of patients over the years who have complained of the "statin fog" or "statin stupid" and in most when we stopped it or started it again after they stopped it themselves there wasn't any convincing association between the statin and their symptoms. But as always, if someone is having side effects it's best to reassess, make some changes, and go from there.
Regarding your comment at 2:07: As far as I know, statins do NOT lower LP(a). Did you mean you're on a PCSk9 inhibitor?
Another vote for a video on using statins in the setting of elevated Lp(a); why not just a PCSK9 inhibitor, which may lower Lp(a) a bit, as opposed to statins, which can raise it?
Probably due to cost. So far, the FDA has not approved PCSK9 inhibitors to specifically lower LP(a). GO FIGURE.
I was on Atorvastatin and suffered from a kind of brain fog and generally not feeling with it. I then changed to Rasuvastatin and have no side effects. Along with diet changes my LDL is now 1/3 of my previous was. My fitness has improved has also improved.
Dr GIl, thank you so much for an in depth diving into this topic!
I'm also very curious about lp(a) as have it on a pretty high point as well. Will greatly appreciate a vid/article about that.
Why not take PCSK9s for Lp(a)? They can lower Lp(a) by 20-30% based on what Perer Attia said in a podcast.
I am a hyper absorber of cholesterol so even plant foods make it go up. I started using ezetimibe 3 months ago and lowered my LDL by 100 points! And increased my HDL by 10 points. Oh, and I only took 5 mg a day. I had zero side effects.
Edit: And yes, plant 'sterols' can make one's cholesterol go up.
I’m so curious about your comment, I have high cholesterol and whether I eat no fat at all, or no carbs, or paleo or vegan, it’s is always high. Interesting to hear that’s not unheard of. I’ve taken a statin for years, and they just upped it. It really bothers my joints. I’ll look into ezetimibe. Would love to eliminate the side effects. Thank you!
Very good advice and honest.
Curious why you take a statin when you already have low LDL and statins have been shown to increase Lp)a)? Asking for myself because my Lp(a) is over 300 nmol/L.
Thanks for the video as usual.
You caught my interest when you mentioned Statins and Lp(a). I thought that statins wouldn't really touch those levels effectively? I thought that Lp(a) levels were mostly influenced by heredity? I have heard the PCSK9 inhibitors can reduce Lp(a) some 30% though.
Thanks again!
What is the medical definition of "fuzziness" and how is it tested for?
Thank you for decluttering these topics for us. Wish you a very happy 2025.
I'd definitely be interested in your statin for lp(a) if you're willing to discuss.
Gil. I’m 56 5’11 weight is 280 pre diabetic. Right on the verge of 6.5 A1C. Last LDL was around 110. Never had APO B tested. Trigs are about 170. Hesitant about low carb and too much saturated fat and red meat. Should I be worried about that?
what about apoe4 / risk of dementia and statins/pcsk9 inhibitors?
-2:07 Gil, I am on low dose statin and have high Lp(a). I have a healthy life style but my LDL still gets slightly high without a statin.. I read statins do not reduce Lp(a). They actually raise Lp(a) by 10-12% and my labs show this. Curious why you take them involving high Lp(a) ?
see pinned comment
what about the nervous system throughout the body? may that benefit from blood cholesterol?
There are a number of people who report mental issue side effects (and muscle soreness) while taking statin drugs. Is it possible that some people have adverse effects from the drug while the general population does not?
That's basically what he said in the video! However, there's also a possibility of the "nocebo" affect for some. I believe I experienced this when I first went on a statin. Or it could also be different statins have different levels of side effects for some. I experienced them with Lipitor, but have experienced zero issues with Crestor. But people tend to lump all statins together because it's easier, just as they tend to lump a lot of things together. It's easier on the brain to stereotype and make generalizations than it is it recognize there is nuance about everything...
Gil, can you speak to statins increasing risk and onset of type 2 diabetes?
we have a whole video on it, search "statins" on the channel page
@@NutritionMadeSimple thanks! Watched it and I can’t imagine a better analysis! 👍 thank you! 😊
I'd like to see a study that explores if people who watch these kind of videos YT and attempt to make lifestyle changes based on them live longer and healthier.
Please cover Lipo a!
Thanks for the info. I didn’t think loss of cognitive function was from reduction of cholesterol in the brain. I thought it was from cholesterol lowering drugs depleting CQ-10 in the brain. Limiting CQ-10 from its use in memory. When CQ10 is adequate in the brain. No issues on statins. If depleted, then statins might cause memory loss.
I am on Ezetimibe and Red Yeast Rice because I have horrible side effects from prescription statins. I’m hopeful that this will be the magic bullet. Will find out soon after I have the next blood work done.
To the extent red yeast rice works it's because it includes a statin type substance. The general problem with RYR is that it isn't regulated, so you don't know what you're getting and how much you're getting.
Ezetimibe is good.
I recall reading a study that looked at a meta analysis of the statins and dementia issue, breaking down pre-treatment cholesterol levels into high vs low. Overall, the effect of the development of dementia was lower with statins, which was heavily stressed in the results. The higher the pre-treatment cholesterol, the lower the dementia outcomes. However, those with low cholesterol had increased development of dementia when placed on a statin. I have very low total cholesterol (130), most likely due to having been vegan for 20+ years. I was placed on a statin for a cryptogenic stroke as there may be independent vascular benefits that might reduce the risk of a second cva. However, my mother and her 2 sisters all had dementia so this is a concern for me. Have you seen this study and are you aware of any increased risks in persons such as myself? I prefer not to have dementia OR a second stroke (although one can lead to the other).
hadn't seen it but will look, tks
I just started a pcsk9i. I am extremely curious about any and all research done on people who naturally have the pcsk9 gene turned off. Can you do some research and do a video on it? For example did they look at IQ, rates of cancer, respiratory illness, diabetes, cataracts, all cause mortality. Since these people naturally exist in the wild it must be extremely helpful to study them as we then effectively have 80+ years of data for each person. For instance if these people all die 10 years earlier on average or develop some specific illness or are cognitively impaired in some way it should show up in the data. It would be immensely helpful if you could research this.
Excellent video def helps dissuade some of my negative statin sentiments thanks dr c
Another Excellent Review
Hi gil could you do a whole video on lpa I need information my cardiologist does not know about it.
Taking a statin for Lp(a)?
to lower overall risk to offset the lp(a)-mediated increase
@@NutritionMadeSimple. could you please do a video on this!
Great video🎉
So grateful to Gil for his hard work and thoroughness. Great educator. Thanks Gil!
I tried Rosuvastatin twice and got some pretty bad muscle aches that kept me awake at night. But honestly I don't always trust the science because of my experiences with doctors and my diagnosis of Hashimoto's.
After having a problem with rosuvastatin, how many of the other types of statins did you try?
Seems so many people try one, have a problem, then just give up. They are different and many people do fine after trying a new one. At least try one of the other statins... and also many of the other non statins that can have a significant effect.
Gil can you cover what you are doing with Lp(a) and statins? Vegan here, keeping cholesterol in check with diet but also have elevated Lp(a).
I take a statin and got leg cramps at night. My doc corrected with Magnesium and cramps evaporated.
As someone who is healthy ? with a calcium score of 648 and takes statins THANK GOD I found your channel.And thanks for the information
Have you gotten a CIMT scan? It actually looks at the arteries in your neck. Shows soft and hard plaque. cost around $200 and takes 10 minutes
That's scary. What's your LDL (or better yet, ApoB), now?
I thought statins had no effect on Lpa - the only that has worked for me (to lower Lpa) is slow release niacin.
What do you make of the fact that some people see dramatic reductions in desmosterol levels (proxy for cholesterol synthesis in the brain) from statin use, just use Zeta + low dose statin? Attia and Dayspring dive deep into it. I hope PCSK9i become generic soon...
what do you think about a raw vegan diet??
Gil my Lp(a) is high ish, of course hereditary. I was under the impression this was a fixed number and no meds can alter it. You say you’re on a statin for it. Can you give a little more info on this?
see pinned comment
What if statins raise lp(a)?
Hi from south africa, great video useful informative, information _thanks.
Thank you for your video. You said you take statins to lower something other than cholesterol. I did not catch why you are taking it. Could you please tell me? Appreciate.
Hey Gil , i eat Fish (Fried) 5 days a week.no other non veg.Still i have 140 ng LDL.
Does fish increase LDL ?
Great Video!
Of course we're interested in LPA, that's why we watch your videos!
Statins make me intensely nauseous. I tried Zetia instead and that makes me so dizzy I can't function. Even when I was a vegan I couldn't get my total cholesterol below 200. So I guess we're going to try yet another drug.
Saudações do Porto. Obrigado pelo esclarecimento desta questão.
lp(a) please!
if lipoproteins do not cross bbb ,then how do fats get into the brain
It makes its own.
In medicine like in many other fields, there is too much focus on trial-and-error instead of solid deep understanding, which can be cultivated, but it needs people to teach it.
We are blind chickens when we could be grand masters. Capitalism drives mass scarcity, which drives quantity-over-quality, or superficiality instead of depth.
So helpful!!!
We need to study the statin-susceptible population, at least to verify its existence, then to protect it from the harm.
my ldl has been 10 for the last year with ezetimibe and creator and i feel great.
Weirdly after I started my statins, I became super irritable doc. Everything was triggering and thats not the normal me.
I eventually had to stop. And within about two days, my emotional regulation went right back to normal.
I HEARD this is a rare effect? Is there any understanding as to why?
interesting, hadn't heard that yet! :)
@@NutritionMadeSimpleyup. About a week of trying, I had ridiculous effects like near flying in to a rage my eggs weren’t cooking right in the pan.
I knew it made zero sense. Went away after stopping.
People have told me the same. Recently, we traveled to Ireland with people we've known for years. The husband was impossible, aggressive, nasty, negative on everything. He recently started statins. I've heard the story of statin irritability multiple times. It's a real thing for many.
@@shkotayd9749 Is it possible you were nervous about taking a statin and that was creating generalized anxiety? Statins get such bad press especially online that it's reasonable to be worried/fearful/anxious when starting it. I was. But thanks to scientists like Dr. Carvalho my fears have been put to rest.
Since my heart attack this year I’ve been taking statins and Zetia. I have genetic hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol and high triglycerides, 270 ldl and 650 triglycerides while eating WFPB no oil diet and a 20 bmi. Now on the drugs my cholesterol is 44 and my triglycerides are 148. But I worried about how my brain was getting enough cholesterol to function. So good to hear my brain makes its own cholesterol. I had some cognitive changes 20 years ago when I tried the 1st statins. So I stopped them, haven’t noticed them so much with this newer brand. But definitely more muscle aches. Everything is give and take ,trying to learn how to accept and embrace my elder body ❤
Love this channel!
The guy (btw. What's his name) doesn't want to sell you any lies or products, while even our parents want to sell us something...
Yup, me too! Best on UA-cam IMHO.
Love your channel. It’s so confusing these days and I just heard about a study linking a category of statins to a higher risk of dementia (eg. Lipitor). Had family members that experienced various symptoms decades ago and it was horrible seeing it. They got better after stopping the statins. I think most people are statin-averse because most doctors (mine for sure) will not talk about any thing but a statin. I recently requested Niacin RX, but it was not easy. I know there are issues with it but they scare me less. Thanks for your great talks.
Look up PEER Simplified Cardiovascular Decision Aid. This information in this calculator is based on leading studies and it decides more accurately if statins are needed.
Thank you.
Is there some type of bias when you wish something that you do to be positive for you?
yes! placebo effect. quite powerful