Statin Intolerance: What did you do?

More on Dr Esselstyn ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldwell_Esselstyn

Yes, I understand. I’m not disputing the research. It’s the research that informs the “guidance” from the Preventative Services Task Force that’s mention in the link you provided.

“ The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends low- to moderate-dose statins in adults ages 40 to 75 who have one or more risk factors for heart and blood vessel disease and at least a 10% chance of having a cardiovascular disease event in the next 10 years.”

I meant that because of the guidance from the task force (prompted by the research) many physicians will recommend a statin for any patient who meets those criteria, without necessarily considering the totality of the patient (any other co-occurring conditions other than those listed, response to previous statins, religious beliefs, anything really).

My family has personally experienced this because time and time again, physicians, especially new providers and when my father was in the hospital would default recommend a statin, without considering why he isn’t taking a statin—because the first statin he took triggered an autoimmune response (a rare, but nonetheless real risk of statins) and the second causes acute liver damage within 2 weeks (which was confirmed during his hospital stay).

I am really glad statins exist because they help so many, but what frustrates me about the guidance from the Federal Services Task Force is when it’s used as a blanket instruction. My family has felt pressured, especially by those in the hospital, or even guilt-tripped about statins when while they’re the correct solution and lifesaving for many people, but they aren’t or weren’t for my father. Everyone’s different though; the recommendation to him from the specific specialists who know his history and case differ from the “guidance,” and could be for other people. I don’t want anyone to feel belittled the way we did, and I felt less so when I understood where the guidance they kept referring to, came from.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statins/art-20045772#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Preventive%20Services%20Task%20Force%20recommends%20low%2D%20to%20moderate,in%20the%20next%2010%20years.

Dr. Esselstyn who was one of the first ones (along with Dr. Dean Ornish ) to show you can reverse or halt heart disease to eat no more than three fruit a day. I belong to a support group who follows Dr. Esselstyn's way and folks that eat more fruit their triglycerides go up with additional fruit. Also be careful of dried fruit.

In reply to @emo, @hopeful33250, @rochelle369, and @mayoconnectuser1.
I do eat lots of fruits and vegies daily via salads and green vegs with lunch and dinner, snacking on celery in between. I don't eat refined carbs regularly, but break over to having a few crackers now and the, usually gluten free made with almond flour. I've been on a special diet protocol since Jan 2023 to reduce inflammation in my body and lose weight, which was successful, and I've continued to follow the diet but am adding raw nuts, whole grains, and fruits like red and green apples, bananas, berries, melons, citrus, avocados, etc. into my diet along with more wild-caught fish.

I have not taken any statins since the three I tried caused a multitude of side effects making it impossible to function at all. I am checking with my heart doctor about the Cholesto-pure. That may be a possibility to investigate.

Sounds like you’ve been doing great with your exercise and making adjustments to your diet.

My dad was in a similar situation—his cholesterol was normal but triglycerides were high. We learned that the “guidance” is if your numbers hit a certain amount, they’re medically supposed to recommend a statin to lower risk. He didn’t fare well on statins either, yet doctors keep saying, “statins, statins, statins,” just because of the formal “guidance.” I think it has to do with Medicare or federal guidelines.

He does a fiber supplement daily and we tried plant sterols (Cholesto-pure by Pure Encapsulations).

All oils damage the lining of the arteries as well as all the animal products you are eating— thats why your cholesterol is high. The more plant based u eat the better your numbers the evidence based science shows. The foods you are eating are causing inflammation in your body

@pb50, I don't eat any sugary products like donuts so that wouldn't even tempt me! I agree, the lipid test should be done when fasting.

I cook with a little avocado oil from time to time and never eat fast food. Only cook from scratch. If I have any healthy grains like brown or wild rice, I may add a little homemade ghee or avocado oil, but mostly I'm eating an egg for breakfast, skinless chicken breast, skinless turkey, fish (salmon, cod, mahi mahi, shrimp), lots of greens, vegetables, berries, and green apples. I rarely eat beef or pork, except maybe once every 2 weeks. Periodically, I have a piece of homemade gluten-free toast. I have even stopped drinking alcohol except maybe a glass of bourbon once a week. No wine right now because of the carbs. So I'm at a loss as to why my cholesterol would be high, unless it's genetic. My dad had high cholesterolpb50 avocado oil from time to time and never eat fast food. Only cook from scratch. If I have any healthy grains like brown or wild rice, I may add a little homemade ghee or avocado oil, but mostly I'm eating an egg for breakfast, skinless chicken breast, skinless turkey, fish (salmon, cod, mahi mahi, shrimp), lots of greens, vegetables, berries, and green apples. I rarely eat beef or pork, except maybe once every 2 weeks. Periodically, I have a piece of homemade gluten-free toast. I have even stopped drinking alcohol except maybe a glass of bourbon once a week. No wine right now because of the carbs. So I'm at a loss as to why my cholesterol would be high, unless it's genetic. My dad had high cholesterol.

@hopeful33250, Thank you for that suggestion and link. I will check it out and ask my cardiologist about it. He's more open to using supplements vs. my family doctor who does not like supplements and prefers to prescribe FDA-approved drugs. I understand. He's a medical doctor, as is my cardiologist. But I am very sensitive to side effects from all the statins he's prescribed and prefer natural, alternative solutions. I don't have any blockage in my carotids and my triglycerides are normal. It's just the LDL that is high (over 250). I learned that eating more fish and drinking green tea are both natural approaches to lowering cholesterol and I have been drinking matcha green tea for more than a month now. I still have coffee from time to time, but not every day. And I get an hour of aerobic exercise in daily between the stationary bike and walking. I've also dropped 60 pounds which has helped with other aspects of my health.