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Must you change your diet if statins are doing the job?
Why must one eat healthier if statins are working? If one is fit, active, with good BP and cholesterol numbers, is diet modification really necessary from a medical standpoint to decrease risk of heart attack or stroke?
Is there some other measure besides cholesterol that tells you "hey, lay off the pizza and pick up the broccoli?"
I would think that as long as all your indicators for health are doing well, diet details shouldn't matter.
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I'd have to see more than one video to be convinced that what this guy says is true and my two cardiologists -- not to mention other sources -- don't know what they are talking about.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/expert-answers/cholesterol/faq-20058468
and
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/are-eggs-risky-for-heart-health
and
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/eating-12-eggs-a-week-didnt-raise-cholesterol-levels-new-study-finds
etc
Not really, during my recovery and regenerative phase. Long story short. I had an extensive list of support medications in addition to immunosuppressives for my recovery and regeneration post-heart and kidney transplant. I've struggled with many ups and downs through the initial 14 months post, 4 months ago, I made gains with PRIMARILY plant-based nutrient choices and continued to refine while continuing my medication and food safety and transplant team directions. During the last four months I concentrated on my exercise (mostly walking and indoor cycling) and hydration for blood volume and kidney. At 17 months, my health appears very solid. I think I have fair case for discontinuing my statin. We shall see during my 2nd annual in 3 months!
I have been having horrible stomach pains for months, as well as neuropathy in feet and legs. I have read these are often side effects to statins. My annual bloodwork came back a few weeks ago with cholesterol at 139. I have maintained a healthy diet for sometime now, largely because my stomach hurts so often I don’t feel like eating anything but the most basic foods. I am wondering if anyone has stopped taking their statin and if so, was it necessary to do a step down or were you able to just stop taking it? I have a doctor’s appointment soon and will be asking him, but I’d like to know what to expect. Any help is appreciated!
You can cease taking statins any time you need to, and you can do it cold.
Are you relating the stomach pain to the statins? Which statin and which dosage are you taking?
While those issues are noted as side effects of some statins, have you been assessed for other issues?
Cholesterol (which?) at 139 doesn't provide the components? LDL, HDL, total, triglycerides?
I am hoping the stomach pain is statin related as it’s potentially The only easy fix for its cause. My recent endoscopy and colonoscopy both came back fine, with the exception of a small peptic ulcer. That ulcer was treated for over four months with medication, and although I did not have a second endoscopy, the doctor gives me a clean bill of health in that area. I have a tough time with a lot of medication and stomach problems. Now that I am down to 50 mg Losartan and 5 mg of Rosuvastatin daily. I’m truly hoping it’s the statin. My total cholesterol is 139. My HDL is 62, my LDL is 54, and my triglycerides are 146. If that information tells you anything, please share!
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1 ReactionThanks ... it tells me your lipids are pretty good! Trigyclerides could be lower, but LDL is really good and HDL is fine. The really good LDL number likely related to the statins.
There are injectables a substitute for statins ... try, perhaps?
Losartan is for high bp ... hypertension?
Get an advanced lipids panel and see if consistent?
You've had stress tests? With echo?
Yes, I have hypertension, but it is under control now. I was taking 100 mg of Losartan and it was dropped to 50 mg. I was also taking 5 mg of bisoprolol which they dropped down to 2 1/2 and finally took me off of it completely a few months ago. Yep, I see those triglycerides are just a few points below the desirable number, and the HDL could be better also. I would like to see those lower, but in comparison to what they used to be, they are pretty good now, so I’m moving in the right direction. I’m looking back at where these numbers used to be four and five years ago and wondering why I’m still upright! I have had stress tests as well as my annual CT coming up and had echo in May. I have an ascending aortic aneurysm that’s at 4.1 cm., so it’s at the “watch” state. I just read a little about PKS9 Inhibitors (??? name may be a little off??). I have to look more into it, but it’s on the list for my doctor. I don’t think it’s in the cards that I’ll be able to eliminate medication in this area completely, but I’m hoping to find something easier on the body that works. Any more insights? I really appreciate your help!
Higher (within reason) HDL (good cholesterol) is better.
Lower LDL (bad cholesterol) is better. Many folks target around 50.
Triglycerides should be almost as low as possible - below 100 is recommended, but many (myself included) try to get to about 50.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17583-triglycerides--heart-health
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20049357
As I consider the conversation about plaque and diet. This convinced me to once again to change and improve my eating habits. These are pictures of plaque rapturing and forming thrombosis.
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.114.302721.