There were an estimated 13 million Americans on statin drugs in 2006. There is a good chance that you or someone you know is using them now. One common symptom reported by those on statin drugs is described as “weakness, tenderness, or pain in the muscles”. Even the website for LIPITOR (the best seller of them all) states that it can cause those problems. A RED LIGHT should come on if you (or someone you know) is taking statins and there are corresponding muscle complaints.
Perhaps you have seen the study results (and if not, that is why I am sharing the results with you now!) released on July 6, 2009 and published in the July 7 issue of CMAJ. It was found that of the patients with statin-related myopathy (muscle problems), they found on biopsy that 57% had muscle fiber damage, however (and here is what surprised the researchers) only one of the 44 myopathy patients in the study had abnormal creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels. Prior to this, muscle pain related to statin therapy hadn’t been given much credence and the patient even though complaining of muscle pain was kept on the statin if the CPK levels didn’t exceed 10 times the upper limit of normal (1950U/L) – WOW!
This study shredded those recommendations from the AHA and AC of Cardiology. The study researchers basically said that even with normal CPK levels you cannot exclude statin-associated muscle injury. They were also surprised to find that there was muscle fiber injury even if the patient had discontinued their statin use. Also, the severity of damage was not correlated with duration of statin use or with higher doses. Why would these patients with muscle fiber damage complain of pain, weakness or tenderness??? How about this – the study says they averaged damage to 9.05 -9.5% of muscle fibers. Sooo, almost 10% of the fibers have been damaged – no wonder people are complaining. Don’t overlook the possible statin correlation.
Perhaps the most amazing statement in the conclusion summary at the end of the study was this “Alternative treatment strategies for patients with muscle symptoms need to be evaluated” (my emphasis).
Right now let’s look at possible “Alternative Treatment Strategies” that the researchers mentioned above.
As we know it starts with lifestyle. These are my recommendations and the one by Fallon and Enig might be a little controversial:
1. Minimize any refined sugar intake and fructose, especially high fructose corn syrup.
2. Don’t eat anything that comes through a window. (Drive thru window!)
3. Minimize (and try to eliminate) intake of hydrogenated/trans fats and oils. This means you will need to read ALL labels.
4. Sally Fallon and Mary Enig, PhD recommend plenty of good saturated fats, which they state encourage production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (coconut oil).
5. Avoid dairy, especially reduced fat milks (unless it is raw).
6. Diet high in vegetables, fruits, raw, germinated nuts and seeds, eggs (not overcooked), as many raw foods as possible, good protein intake, plenty of good water, etc. (Sound familiar?!)
7. Appropriate exercise for your body type – especially cardio.
Knowledge is power!
Regards,
Dr. E.
