Is there a good alternative to statins? I was put on Rasusvastatin 10

Posted by cfbauer @cfbauer, Aug 26, 2023

I'm looking for an alternative to statins. I had an episode of dizziness ( a potential side effect) and fell 10 feet onto my head. I was fortunate to not break my neck. The result was a concussion and severe neck sprain with a lot of pain. I work around macchinery and at heights.

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Yes, several. Reduce carbohydrate intake to less than 130 grams daily. If at all possible. Less than 100 would be great. Also, increase aerobic exercise, again if possible, to get into zone 3-4 several times each week, and the ideal duration is at least for 30 minutes 'at pace'....that is, at the upper sustainable rate. This means excluding warm-up and cool-down, both of which should be part of your routine...along with some modest stretching.
Limit alcohol to one or two drinks each week. And, for some, take a statin.

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@gloaming

Yes, several. Reduce carbohydrate intake to less than 130 grams daily. If at all possible. Less than 100 would be great. Also, increase aerobic exercise, again if possible, to get into zone 3-4 several times each week, and the ideal duration is at least for 30 minutes 'at pace'....that is, at the upper sustainable rate. This means excluding warm-up and cool-down, both of which should be part of your routine...along with some modest stretching.
Limit alcohol to one or two drinks each week. And, for some, take a statin.

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I would argue the only way you will reduce your lipid profile sufficiently that your doc will buy into foregoing statins, you will have to work hard. And that means drastically monitoring all fats - with heavy focus on saturated fats and cholesterol. No red meat, no egg yolks, no butter or margarine, no cream, on and on.. really only grilled or Baked poultry and fish. Nothing fried. Steamed veggies.
And when you get the hang of that, turn your attention to carbs that will convert to fat if eaten in excess. I would say for a dude that means less than 50 grams of carbs. Not that hard these days that there are more “keto” options. But.. minimize white - wheat flour, white rice, white bread, or sugar of any color - unless you get the couple of good low carb options on the bread aisle. Nature’s Own brand has a white bread and a whole grain - very low carb.
And then there’s shifting to plant based options whenever you can - Violife makes awesome cream cheese (awesome) and cheddar slices (better melted) and onion dip. And I found a recipe that’s easy for plant based butter that’s good.

If it were easy millions of people wouldn’t be on statins. I’ve followed what I described reasonably well and am taking my 10mg Of same generic crestor you’re on every other day now. Doubtful I would ever be disciplined enough to overcome genetics. So that may be as good as I can do.

But there may be other brands your doc will
Want to try. You can’t go around filling out.

Good luck!!

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My reading on this topic suggests that plant oils, especially seed oils, are bad for us in the long run. They are saturated to make them more palatably interesting (enough that you'll continue to provide a market for the supplier), or they get rancid. Plant oils have a lot of linoleic acid (Omega-6) which tends to go rancid if not consumed quickly AND if not stored properly. Rancid plant oils cause the body to produce copious amounts of arachidonic acid, which the body uses for its inflammatory response. So, plant oils can, not assuredly, but CAN lead to a pre-inflammatory response in the body, which almost none of us needs, at least not to that extent.

Also, on low carb diets, you can indeed eat saturated animal fats. Yes, your total lipid counts will rise, but if you do adhere to a low-carb diet, you'll find the ratios very good and you won't need statins.

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Sadly my doc is after more than good ratios. He’s after reduced levels in cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipids.

I did low carb for over a decade. It’s harder than people think to get to a state of ketosis where you are burning fat - not your body’s first choice for fuel. But you have to give it too few carbohydrates to sustain without burning fat stores. And I did that successfully. But I couldn’t stay very low carb and reduce my lipids.

And of course seed and other plant oils can go rancid. Sort of how animal fats can go rancid. And either can be prevented from that - Refrigeration comes to mind 🙂

Everyone can make their own choice. There is no single “right”.

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Yes, both can go rancid, but the animal product is less inclined to do so at room temperature. Quite apart from rancidity, there is the problem with low essential nutrients in seed oils. This is a rather convincing presentation just a few weeks ago:

(I have no particular business, investment, managerial, or personal interest in the organization, nor with the presenter. I just watch these videos in an attempt to get a good handle on the latest thinking and findings.)

Here is a cardiologist, Dr. Nadir Ali, from Texas, who gives a short argument for higher cholesterol levels, especially when one watches the carbohydrates:

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@gloaming

Yes, both can go rancid, but the animal product is less inclined to do so at room temperature. Quite apart from rancidity, there is the problem with low essential nutrients in seed oils. This is a rather convincing presentation just a few weeks ago:

(I have no particular business, investment, managerial, or personal interest in the organization, nor with the presenter. I just watch these videos in an attempt to get a good handle on the latest thinking and findings.)

Here is a cardiologist, Dr. Nadir Ali, from Texas, who gives a short argument for higher cholesterol levels, especially when one watches the carbohydrates:

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LDL cholesterol does not necessarily increase on a low carb diet. During my LCHF diet, I lost 60 pounds and my cholesterol biomarkers improved. I was on statins before and during the diet. Everyone is different and "special". Each of us reacts uniquely to our diet and medications. That's why I am a firm believer in personalized medicine.

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My cholesterol level is 320 without statins. I have been trying to bring this down for 40 years without statins.

I recently started on a strict keto diet (25 grams per day) to fight cancer, and I only eat foods from the book “Eat to Beat Disease” I eat a vegetarian diet with a bit of cheese and nonfat yogurt. 80% of my calories are from fat - nuts and seeds ( 2 Tbsp. flax and 2 Tbsp chia seeds in NF yogurt), olive oil, and MCT oil (I have gallstones so I need to watch my my overall fat intake). MCT oil is metabolized directly to ketones in the liver. I eat lots of fiber and I only eat in a two hour window between 12-2.

My weight has dropped to my high school weight with a BMI of 20. My cholesterol surprisingly is now 180 on 10 mg of Rosuvastatin and my LDL is low. I am stopping the Rosuvastain to see if it stays under 200.

My doctor supports me on this diet. It takes time and careful monitoring to follow a very low carbohydrate diet. I check my blood sugar and ketones daily and take vitamin and mineral supplements.

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@gloaming

Yes, both can go rancid, but the animal product is less inclined to do so at room temperature. Quite apart from rancidity, there is the problem with low essential nutrients in seed oils. This is a rather convincing presentation just a few weeks ago:

(I have no particular business, investment, managerial, or personal interest in the organization, nor with the presenter. I just watch these videos in an attempt to get a good handle on the latest thinking and findings.)

Here is a cardiologist, Dr. Nadir Ali, from Texas, who gives a short argument for higher cholesterol levels, especially when one watches the carbohydrates:

Jump to this post

Well I’m not into seeds in any event. And to each his or her own. You do you. 🙂

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I’m 65 years old. I have been on statins for over 30 years, also Repatha this last year. No side effects. I have blood work every 3 to 4 months to check for organ damage.

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@janet23

My cholesterol level is 320 without statins. I have been trying to bring this down for 40 years without statins.

I recently started on a strict keto diet (25 grams per day) to fight cancer, and I only eat foods from the book “Eat to Beat Disease” I eat a vegetarian diet with a bit of cheese and nonfat yogurt. 80% of my calories are from fat - nuts and seeds ( 2 Tbsp. flax and 2 Tbsp chia seeds in NF yogurt), olive oil, and MCT oil (I have gallstones so I need to watch my my overall fat intake). MCT oil is metabolized directly to ketones in the liver. I eat lots of fiber and I only eat in a two hour window between 12-2.

My weight has dropped to my high school weight with a BMI of 20. My cholesterol surprisingly is now 180 on 10 mg of Rosuvastatin and my LDL is low. I am stopping the Rosuvastain to see if it stays under 200.

My doctor supports me on this diet. It takes time and careful monitoring to follow a very low carbohydrate diet. I check my blood sugar and ketones daily and take vitamin and mineral supplements.

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Myak,

Great on the dirt to lower weight, and increase overall health.

But, you've known of your circumstances for 40 years? And, didn't use statins until just recently? And, if you didn't have any side effects from statins, why would you stop taking them? I'm assuming you're wanting to get LDL and trig as low as possible, right?

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