Info Tips: 2013

Statins increase the risk of diabetes in kidney transplant patients

2013 Nov 26

Study title and authors:

HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitor Treatment Induces Dysglycemia in Renal Allograft Recipients.

Choe EY, Wang HJ, Kwon O, Cho Y, Huh KH, Kim MS, Kim YS, Ahn CW, Cha BS, Lee HC, Kang ES.

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24285338

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of statins on the development of dysglycemia in kidney transplant patients. (Dysglycemia is defined as diabetes and impaired fasting glucose). The study included 394 patients without previously known diabetes or impaired fasting glucose who had undertaken kidney transplantation. Patients were grouped into the two groups according if they used statins (245 statin users and 149 nonusers).

The study found:
(a) Statin users had a 208% increased risk of dysglycemia compared to non users.
(b) The time to development of dysglycemia after transplantation was shorter in the statin group (38.8 months) than in the control group (47.2 months).

Choe concluded: "Statin treatment is associated with an elevation in fasting plasma glucose and in the development of dysglycemia in renal allograft recipients (kidney transplant patients)".

High saturated fat diet reduces the prevalence of heart disease by 77%

1997 Mar;95(3):67-9, 83

Study title and authors:

Association of dietary ghee intake with coronary heart disease and risk factor prevalence in rural males.

Gupta R, Prakash H.

Department of Medicine, Monilek Hospital and Research Centre, Jawahar Nagar, Jaipur.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9212571

The aim of the study was to determine the association between intake of dietary fat, specifically Indian ghee, and prevalence of coronary heart disease. (Ghee is similar to butter, basically both are made from the fats of whole milk, both are usually 80% milk fat or greater in terms of their composition, and about two-thirds of that fat is saturated fat). The study included 1,982 men aged 20 years and more. The men were classified into two groups;
(i) Group one: Consumption of over 1 kg of ghee a month (high ghee consumption).
(ii) Group two: Consumption of less than 1 kg of ghee a month (low ghee consumption).

The study found:
(a) The high ghee group consumed significantly more saturated fat compared to the low ghee group.
(b) The high ghee group had a 77% reduced prevalence of heart disease compared to the low ghee group.

Long term statin use increases the risk of basal cell carcinoma by 30%

2009 Jul;61(1):66-72

Study title and authors:
Statin use and risk of basal cell carcinoma.

Asgari MM, Tang J, Epstein EH Jr, Chren MM, Warton EM, Quesenberry CP Jr, Go AS, Friedman GD.
Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, USA. maryam.m.asgari@kp.org

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19464071

The objective of the study was to examine the association between statin use and basal cell carcinoma risk. (Basal cell carcinoma is known as non-melanoma skin cancer. Non-melanoma skin cancer refers to a group of cancers that slowly develop in the upper layers of the skin). The study included 12,123 patients, average age 64 years, who had been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. They were followed for an average of 4.25 years and 6,381 patients developed a subsequent basal cell carcinoma during follow-up.

The study found:
(a) Those that used statins had a 2% increased risk of subsequent basal cell carcinoma compared to those that did not use statins.
(b) Those that used statins for five years or more had a 30% increased risk of subsequent basal cell carcinoma compared to those that did not use statins.
(c) Those that used other cholesterol lowering drugs (such as gemfibrozil, niacin, cholestyramine, colestipol, niacinamide and fenofibrate) had a 10% increased risk of subsequent basal cell carcinoma compared to nonusers.

The association between margarine and allergies in young adults

2005 Mar;15(3):207-13

Study title and authors:
Margarine consumption, asthma, and allergy in young adults: results of the German National Health Survey 1998.

Bolte G, Winkler G, Hölscher B, Thefeld W, Weiland SK, Heinrich J.
Department of Epidemiology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. gabrielbolte@lgl.bayern.de

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15723766

This study of 7,124 adults examined whether frequent intake of margarine or butter is associated with allergy prevalence in adults.

The study found in young adults aged 18 to 29:
(a) Those who had a frequent intake of margarine had a 133% increased risk of currently having asthma compared to those who had a frequent intake of butter.
(b) Those who had a frequent intake of margarine had a 15% increased risk of having hay fever compared to those who had a frequent intake of butter.
(c) Those who had a frequent intake of margarine had a 17% increased risk of having atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema) compared to those who had a frequent intake of butter.

Statins deplete levels of vitamin A, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10

2002 Feb 6;287

(5):598-605

Study title and authors:

Effects of diet and simvastatin on serum lipids, insulin, and antioxidants in hypercholesterolemic men: a randomized controlled trial.

Jula A, Marniemi J, Huupponen R, Virtanen A, Rastas M, Rönnemaa T.

Research and Development Centre of the Social Insurance Institution, Peltolantie 3, FIN-20720 Turku, Finland. antti.jula@kela.memonet.fi

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11829698

This study investigated the effects of statins on men with cholesterol levels of at least 232 mg/dL (6.0 mmol/L). The study included 120 men, aged 35 to 64 years, who were randomly allocated to a habitual diet, or dietary treatment group, and each of these groups was further randomised to receive simvastatin or placebo, each for 12 weeks.

The study found:
(a) The alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) levels of men taking simvastatin decreased by 16.2%.
(b) The beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A) levels of men taking simvastatin decreased by 19.5%.
(c) The ubiquinol-10 (ubiquinol-10 is the active form of coenzyme Q10) levels of men taking simvastatin decreased by 22%.
(d) The insulin levels of men taking simvastatin increased by 13.2%. (High insulin levels are associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, cancer and polycystic ovarian syndrome).

High saturated fat consumption associated with a 36% reduced risk of pancreatic cancer

2013 Sep;23(9):571-5

Study title and authors:

Dietary fat intake and risk of pancreatic cancer in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial.

Arem H, Mayne ST, Sampson J, Risch H, Stolzenberg-Solomon RZ.

Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA. aremhe2@mail.nih.gov

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23890797

This study investigated the association of dietary fat and the risk of pancreatic cancer. The study included 111,416 participants, aged 55 to 74 years, who were followed for 8.4 years.

The study found:
(a) Those who consumed the most dietary fat had a 30% reduced risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those who consumed the least dietary fat.
(b) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 36% reduced risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat.

Statin use is associated with a 60% increased risk of interstitial lung abnormalities in smokers

2012 Mar 1;185(5):547-56

Study title and authors:

Statins and pulmonary fibrosis: the potential role of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Xu JF, Washko GR, Nakahira K, Hatabu H, Patel AS, Fernandez IE, Nishino M, Okajima Y, Hunninghake GM

Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22246178

The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between statin use and interstitial lung disease in smokers. The study included 2,115 subjects who were smokers and had had a CT scan. (A CT (computerised tomography) scan uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body).

The study found, that in people that smoke, statin users have a 60% increased risk of interstitial lung abnormalities compared to those who don't take statins.

Xu concludes: "Our findings demonstrate that statin use is associated with interstitial lung abnormalities among current and former smokers".

Stroke patients with low cholesterol have an 87% increased risk of death

2013 Oct 5. pii: S1052-3057(13)00338-8

Study title and authors:
High Cholesterol Levels Are Associated with Improved Long-term Survival after Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Markaki I, Nilsson U, Kostulas K, Sjöstrand C.
Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: ioanna.markaki@ki.se.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24103674

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cholesterol levels on death rates in patients that had suffered an ischemic stroke. (Ischemic stroke occurs when an artery to the brain is blocked). The study lasted for seven years and included 190 patients. Patients were classified as having high cholesterol, above 4.6 mmol/L (178 mg/dL), or low cholesterol, below 4.6 mmol/L (178 mg/dL).

The study found that ischemic stroke patients with low cholesterol had an 87% increased risk of death compared to ischemic stroke patients with high cholesterol.

Statins can make asthma worse

This study was presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting: Abstract 30. November 6, 2011.

Study title and author:
Statins can make asthma worse
Safa Nsouli, MD
Danville Asthma and Allergy Clinic in California.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/753504

This statins investigated the association of statins with asthma. The study, which lasted 12 months, compared 20 patients with asthma who were taking statins with 20 matched patients who were not taking statins.

The study found:
(a) In statin patients the forced expiratory volume in 1 second decreased by an extra 21% compared to patients not taking statins. (Forced expiratory volume in 1 second is the amount of air which can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs in the first second of a forced exhalation).
(b) In statin patients the peak expiratory flow decreased by an extra 28% compared to patients not taking statins. (Peak expiratory flow rate is the maximum flow rate generated during a forceful exhalation, starting from full lung inflation. Peak flow rate primarily reflects large airway flow and depends on the voluntary effort and muscular strength of the patient).
(c) The use of beta-agonist rescue inhalers was 63% higher in the statin group than in the nonstatin group.
(d) In statin patients the incidence of night time wakening increased by an extra 28% compared to patients not taking statins.
(e) In statin patients the incidence of daytime asthma symptoms increased by an extra 32% compared to patients not taking statins.

Dr Nsouli concluded: "Patients with asthma who are prescribed statins should be informed that, because of the adverse immunomodulatory effects that statins produce, their asthma might get worse".

Low cholesterol levels are associated with higher death rates

2013 Sep;31(3):172-80

Study title and authors:
Association of lipoprotein levels with mortality in subjects aged 50 + without previous diabetes or cardiovascular disease: a population-based register study.

Bathum L, Depont Christensen R, Engers Pedersen L, Lyngsie Pedersen P, Larsen J, Nexøe J.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Slagelse Hospital, Region Zealand, Denmark. lbat@regionsjaelland.dk

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23941088

This study aimed to investigate the association of cholesterol levels with death rates in men and women free from diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study included 118,160 subjects, aged 50 and over, and lasted for nine years.

The study found:
(a) In men aged 50 - 60: Those with cholesterol levels between 6 - 7.99 mmol/L (232 - 309 mg/dL) had a 32% reduced risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels below 5 mmol/L (193 mg/dL).
(b) In women aged 50 - 60: Those with cholesterol levels between 6 - 7.99 mmol/L (232 - 309 mg/dL) had a 29% reduced risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels below 5 mmol/L (193 mg/dL).
(c) In men aged 60 - 70: Those with cholesterol levels between 6 - 7.99 mmol/L (232 - 309 mg/dL) had a 33% reduced risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels below 5 mmol/L (193 mg/dL).
(d) In women aged 60 - 70: Those with cholesterol levels between 6 - 7.99 mmol/L (232 - 309 mg/dL) had a 41% reduced risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels below 5 mmol/L (193 mg/dL).
(e) In men aged over 70: Those with cholesterol levels between 6 - 7.99 mmol/L (232 - 309 mg/dL) had a 38% reduced risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels below 5 mmol/L (193 mg/dL).
(f) In women aged over 70: Those with cholesterol levels between 6 - 7.99 mmol/L (232 - 309 mg/dL) had a 41% reduced risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels below 5 mmol/L (193 mg/dL).
(g) In both men and women between the ages of 50 -70: Cholesterol levels over 8 mmol/L (310 mg/dL) had no impact on death rates.
(g) (i) In men aged over 70: Those with cholesterol levels over 8 mmol/L (310 mg/dL) had a 33% reduced risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels below 5 mmol/L (193 mg/dL).
(g) (ii) In women aged over 70: Those with cholesterol levels over 8 mmol/L (310 mg/dL) had a 41% reduced risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels below 5 mmol/L (193 mg/dL).
(h) In men aged 50 - 60: Those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels over 4 mmol/L (154 mg/dL) had a 56% reduced risk of death compared to those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 2.5 mmol/L (96 mg/dL).
(i) In women aged 50 - 60: Those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels over 4 mmol/L (154 mg/dL) had a 31% reduced risk of death compared to those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 2.5 mmol/L (96 mg/dL).
(j) In men aged 60 - 70: Those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels over 4 mmol/L (154 mg/dL) had a 55% reduced risk of death compared to those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 2.5 mmol/L (96 mg/dL).
(k) In women aged 60 - 70: Those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels over 4 mmol/L (154 mg/dL) had a 53% reduced risk of death compared to those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 2.5 mmol/L (96 mg/dL).
(l) In men aged over 70: Those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels over 4 mmol/L (154 mg/dL) had a 37% reduced risk of death compared to those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 2.5 mmol/L (96 mg/dL).
(m) In women aged over 70: Those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels over 4 mmol/L (154 mg/dL) had a 40% reduced risk of death compared to those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 2.5 mmol/L (96 mg/dL).
(n) In men aged 50 - 60: Those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels between 1.5 - 1.9 mmol/L (58 - 76 mg/dL) had a 36% reduced risk of death compared to those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels below 1.0 mmol/L (38 mg/dL).
(o) In women aged 50 - 60: Those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels between 1.5 - 1.9 mmol/L (58 - 76 mg/dL) had a 60% reduced risk of death compared to those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels below 1.0 mmol/L (38 mg/dL).
(p) In men aged 60 - 70: Those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels between 1.5 - 1.9 mmol/L (58 - 76 mg/dL) had a 43% reduced risk of death compared to those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels below 1.0 mmol/L (38 mg/dL).
(q) In women aged 60 - 70: Those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels between 1.5 - 1.9 mmol/L (58 - 76 mg/dL) had a 65% reduced risk of death compared to those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels below 1.0 mmol/L (38 mg/dL).
(r) In men aged over 70: Those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels between 1.5 - 1.9 mmol/L (58 - 76 mg/dL) had a 35% reduced risk of death compared to those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels below 1.0 mmol/L (38 mg/dL).
(s) In women aged over 70: Those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels between 1.5 - 1.9 mmol/L (58 - 76 mg/dL) had a 46% reduced risk of death compared to those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels below 1.0 mmol/L (38 mg/dL).

This study shows that low cholesterol levels, low LDL and HDL cholesterol levels are associated with higher death rates.

Statins, fibrates and beta blockers increase fatigue during moderate intensity exercise

1997 Mar;43(3):291-300

Study title and authors:

The effects of combined treatment with beta 1-selective receptor antagonists and lipid-lowering drugs on fat metabolism and measures of fatigue during moderate intensity exercise: a placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects.

Eagles CJ, Kendall MJ.

Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9088584

This study examined the effects of different combinations of beta blockers (metoprolol and atenolol) and cholesterol-lowering drugs (fluvastatin and bezafibrate), on fatigue during moderate intensity exercise in healthy young volunteers. The study included 14 healthy men and women, average age 21.9 years, who completed five, 90 minute walks after been treated with either four different combinations of metoprolol or atenolol and fluvastatin or bezafibrate, or placebo.

The study found:
(a) Fat oxidation was between 24% to 40 % lower in subjects treated with beta blockers and cholesterol lowering drugs compared to subjects on placebo.
(b) Ammonia levels were between 51% to 170 % higher in subjects treated with beta blockers and cholesterol lowering drugs compared to subjects on placebo. (High ammonia levels can lead to lack of energy and brain damage).
(c) Scores on the feeling scale were significantly lower in subjects treated with beta blockers and cholesterol lowering drugs compared to subjects on placebo. (i.e. subjects treated with beta blockers and cholesterol lowering drugs felt worse compared to subjects on placebo).
(d) Subjects treated with beta blockers and cholesterol lowering drugs found it took between 12% to 40% more perceived cardiorespiratory effort to complete the walks compared to subjects on placebo.
(e) Subjects treated with beta blockers and cholesterol lowering drugs found it took between 22% to 40% more perceived leg effort to complete the walks compared to subjects on placebo.
(f) Subjects treated with beta blockers and cholesterol lowering drugs suffered 22% to 45% more perceived leg pain compared to subjects on placebo.

In healthy volunteers, this study revealed that combinations of beta blockers and cholesterol lowering drugs were associated with increased fatigue during moderate intensity exercise.

Analysis of 1,430,141 people finds that high levels of cholesterol and LDL cholesterol reduces the risk of hemorrhagic stroke by a third

2013 Jul;44(7):1833-9

Study title and authors:
Cholesterol levels and risk of hemorrhagic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Wang X, Dong Y, Qi X, Huang C, Hou L.
Department of Neurosurgery, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23704101

The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship of cholesterol levels with the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. The study was an analysis of 23 previous studies and included 1,430,141 participants.

The study found:
(a) Those with the highest cholesterol had a 31% decreased risk of hemorrhagic stroke compared to those with the lowest cholesterol.
(b) Those with the highest levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol had a 38% decreased risk of hemorrhagic stroke compared to those with the lowest levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.
(c) Every 1 mmol/L (38 mg/dL) increase in cholesterol levels decreased the risk of hemorrhagic stroke by 15%.
(d) Every 1 mmol/L (38 mg/dL) increase in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels decreased the risk of hemorrhagic stroke by 10%.

High levels of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are associated with a lower risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

Lipitor significantly worsens erectile dysfunction

2013 Oct 21

Study title and authors:
The effect of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on erectile dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic patients.

Nurkalem Z, Yıldırımtürk O, Ozcan KS, Kul S, Canga Y, Satılmış S, Bozbeyoğlu E, Kaya C.
Siyami Ersek Training and research hospital department of cardiology. serhandr@gmail.com.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24142756

The IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function-5) is an international questionnaire for identifying erectile dysfunction. A low score represents severe erectile dysfunction, whereas higher scores indicate better erectile function.

The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of different statin types on erectile dysfunction in "patients" with "high" cholesterol. The study lasted for six months and included 90 healthy men, (average age 50 years), with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels above 160mg/dL (4.1 mmol/l). Patients were divided into two different groups. One group received rosuvastatin while the other group was given atorvastatin.

The study found:
(a) The IIEF-5 scores of men taking rosuvastatin (Crestor) decreased by .4%.
(b) The IIEF-5 scores of men taking atorvastatin (Lipitor) decreased significantly by 8.5%.

The results of the study reveal Lipitor significantly worsens erectile dysfunction.

Doctors say cholesterol and saturated fat do not cause heart disease and statins do not save lives

Please watch the two videos, each last about 30 minutes.

In the first video Dr Maryanne Demasi follows the road which led us to believe that saturated fat and cholesterol cause heart disease, and reveal why it's been touted as the biggest myth in medical history.

The second video reveals the dangers of statin drugs.

The take home messages from the videos:

(i)Don't worry about cholesterol and saturated fat - they do NOT cause heart disease.
(ii)Taking statins will not add a day to your life and they expose you to many debilitating side-effects.

For the last four or five decades we have been misled about the causes of heart disease.

Please tweet or put this post on facebook to help the following message go viral.

Cholesterol and saturated fat do NOT cause heart disease - Statins do NOT save lives and have many detrimental side-effects.

Cardiac surgery patients on statins have a 10% increased risk of delirium

2010 Aug;24(4):555-9

Study title and authors:
Modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors for postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Burkhart CS, Dell-Kuster S, Gamberini M, Moeckli A, Grapow M, Filipovic M, Seeberger MD, Monsch AU, Strebel SP, Steiner LA.
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. cburkhart@uhbs.ch

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20227891

Postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery is associated with increased death rates.

The study sought to identify risk factors associated with the development of postoperative delirium in elderly patients after elective cardiac surgery. The study included 113 patients aged 65 or older undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Regarding statins, the study found that patients taking statins had a 10% increased risk of delirium compared to patients not taking statins.

Soy associated with an increased risk of asthma

2003 Sep;78(3):414-21

Study title and authors:
Food and nutrient intakes and asthma risk in young adults.

Woods RK, Walters EH, Raven JM, Wolfe R, Ireland PD, Thien FC, Abramson MJ.
Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Central and Eastern Clinical School, Monash University, and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12936923

The goal of the study was to determine whether the food and nutrient intakes of adults with asthma differ from those of adults without asthma. In the study the dietary habits of 1,601 young adults (average age 34.6 years) were analysed.

The study found:
(a) Consumption of soy beverage was associated with an increased risk of asthma.
(b) Consumption of butter, red meat, total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol were associated with a lower risk of asthma.

Statins increase the death rate by 53% in intensive care unit patients

2006 Jan;32(1):160-4

Study title and authors:
Statin therapy prior to ICU admission: protection against infection or a severity marker?

Fernandez R, De Pedro VJ, Artigas A.
Critical Care Center, Hospital de Sabadell, Institut Universitari Parc Tauli, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Parc Taulí s/n, 08208 Sabadell, Spain. rfernandez@cspt.es

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16086178

This study examined the impact of statin therapy on hospital death rates in patients at a high risk of acquiring infections while in an intensive care unit. Data was analysed from 438 patients at high risk of intensive care unit acquired infections, i.e., those receiving mechanical ventilation for more than 96 hours.

The study found that patients who were taking statins had a 53% increased risk of death in hospital compared to patients not on statins.

Margarine consumption by mothers increases the risk of asthma by 96% in their children

2012 Aug;101(8):e337-43

Study title and authors:

Maternal dietary fat and fatty acid intake during lactation and the risk of asthma in the offspring.

Lumia M, Luukkainen P, Kaila M, Tapanainen H, Takkinen HM, Prasad M, Niinistö S, Nwaru BI, Kenward MG, Ilonen J, Simell O, Knip M, Veijola R, Virtanen SM.

Nutrition Unit, Department of Lifestyle and Participation, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland. mirka.lumia@thl.fi

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22578184

This study set out to explore the association between maternal dietary fat intake during lactation, and the risk of asthma in the offspring by the age of five years. The subjects in the study comprised of 1,798 mother-child pairs.

The study found that, by the age of five, children whose mothers consumed margarine during lactation had a 96% increased risk of asthma compared to children whose mothers did not consume margarine.

Statins increase the risk of death by 45% in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia

2013 Oct 9

Study title and authors:

Effect of Statin Therapy on Mortality in Patients With Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Papazian L, Roch A, Charles PE, Penot-Ragon C, Perrin G, Roulier P, Goutorbe P, Lefrant JY, Wiramus S, Jung B, Perbet S, Hernu R, Nau A, Baldesi O, Allardet-Servent J, Baumstarck K, Jouve E, Moussa M, Hraiech S, Guervilly C, Forel JM

Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital Nord, Réanimation des Détresses Respiratoires et des Infections Sévères UMR-CNRS 7278, Aix-Marseile Université, Marseille, France.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24108510

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is the most common infection in the intensive care unit and is associated with substantial death rates.

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of statins on 28 day death rates in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia. This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter trial performed in 26 intensive care units in France included 300 patients who took either simvastatin or placebo.

The study found that patients taking statins had a 45% increased risk of death in 28 days compared to patients not taking statins.

The trial was due to analyse 1,002 patient but was stopped early because of the excess deaths in the patients taking simvastatin. Papazian commented: "It would have been ethically unacceptable to continue the trial after the interim analysis, which showed higher day-28 mortality in the simvastatin group".

Daily butter consumption halves the risk of asthma compared to daily margarine consumption

2003 Jul;58(7):567-72

Study title and authors:
Association of consumption of products containing milk fat with reduced asthma risk in pre-school children: the PIAMA birth cohort study.

Wijga AH, Smit HA, Kerkhof M, de Jongste JC, Gerritsen J, Neijens HJ, Boshuizen HC, Brunekreef B
National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology (CZE), Bilthoven, The Netherlands. Alet.Wijga@rivm.nl

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12832666

This study investigated the role of diet in the development of asthma in pre-school children. The study included 2,978 children. Data was collected at the age of two years and related to asthma symptoms reported at the age of three years.

The study found:
(a) Children who consumed butter daily had a 51% reduced risk of asthma compared to children who consumed margarine daily.
(b) Children who consumed full fat milk daily had a 29% reduced risk of asthma compared to children who consumed semi-skimmed milk daily.
(c) Children who consumed butter daily had a 58% reduced risk of asthma compared to children who consumed butter less than once a week.

Statin users have a 45% increased risk of acute large bowel ischemia

2010 Jan;8(1):49-54

Study title and authors:
Diseases and drugs that increase risk of acute large bowel ischemia.

Longstreth GF, Yao JF.
Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Plan, San Diego, California, USA. george.f.longstreth@kp.org

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19765672

Acute large bowel ischemia is damage to the large intestine due to a decrease in its blood supply. It is a common cause of hospitalisation for acute abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or diarrhea that increases markedly with age.

This study investigated factors that maybe associated with acute large bowel ischemia. The study included 379 patients with acute large bowel ischemia and 1,516 controls (average age, 69 years; range, 25-97 years).

Regarding statins, the study found that statin users had a 45% increased risk of acute large bowel ischemia compared to non users.

Statins are significantly associated with increased myositis risk.

2007 Aug;60(8):812-8

Study title and authors:
Statin and statin-fibrate use was significantly associated with increased myositis risk in a managed care population.

McClure DL, Valuck RJ, Glanz M, Murphy JR, Hokanson JE.
Clinical Research Unit, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Denver, CO 80237-8066, USA. david.1.mcclure@kp.org

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17606177

This four year study quantified the risk of myositis (myositis cases were defined as creatine kinase levels more than 10x upper limit of normal and a myopathy (muscle disease) diagnosis) associated with statin and fibrate drug use within a managed care organization population.

The study found:
(a) Statin users had a 180% increased risk of myositis compared to non-users.
(b) Statin-fibrate combination users had a 810% increased risk of myositis compared to non-users.

The results from this study show that statins, with or without fibrates, were significantly associated with increased myositis risk.

Statins increase the risk of death by 21% in women with breast cancer

2013 Sep 25;8(9):e75088

Study title and authors:

Mortality and Recurrence Risk in Relation to the Use of Lipid-Lowering Drugs in a Prospective Breast Cancer Patient Cohort.

Nickels S, Vrieling A, Seibold P, Heinz J, Obi N, Flesch-Janys D, Chang-Claude J.

Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24086446

This study investigated the effects of cholesterol lowering drugs (the vast majority (85%) were taking statins) on women diagnosed with breast cancer. The study included 3,189 women, aged 50 and older, who were followed for 5.3 years.

The study found:
(a) Women taking statins had a 21% increased risk of death compared to women not taking statins.
(b) Women taking statins had a 4% increased risk of death from breast cancer compared to women not taking statins.
(c) Women taking statins had a 49% increased risk of death from causes other than breast cancer compared to women not taking statins.

Statins increase the risk of muscle disease by 36% in diabetics

2008 Mar;30(3):535-42

Study title and authors
The risk of myopathy associated with thiazolidinediones and statins in patients with type 2 diabetes: a nested case-control analysis.

Koro CE, Sowell MO, Stender M, Qizilbash N.
Worldwide Epidemiology, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, USA. carol.e.koro@gsk.com

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18405791

This study investigated the association of statins and various antidiabetic drugs with the risk of myopathy (muscle disease) in patients with type two diabetes. The study included 3,696 patients with myopathy who were matched with 21,871 controls.

The study found that compared with patients who did not use either statins nor antidiabetic drugs, those who used statins had a 36% increased risk of muscle disease.

Statin users suffer from significantly more musculoskeletal pain

This study was published in the 2008 Aug;23(8):1182-6

Study title and authors:
Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and statin use.

Buettner C, Davis RB, Leveille SG, Mittleman MA, Mukamal KJ.
Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA. cbuettne@bidmc.harvard.edu

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18449611

This study sought to evaluate whether statin use was associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain. The study included 3,580 participants, aged 40 or over, without arthritis.

The study found:
(a) Compared to persons who did not use statins, those who used statins had a 50% increased risk for any musculoskeletal pain.
(b) Compared to persons who did not use statins, those who used statins had a 59% increased risk for lower back pain.
(c) Compared to persons who did not use statins, those who used statins had a 50% increased risk for lower extremity pain.

This study finds that statin users are significantly more likely to report musculoskeletal pain compared to persons who did not use statins.

2% increased risk of death for patients with kidney disease who take statins

2011 Jun 25;377(9784):2181-92

Study title and authors:

The effects of lowering LDL cholesterol with simvastatin plus ezetimibe in patients with chronic kidney disease (Study of Heart and Renal Protection): a randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Baigent C, Landray MJ, Reith C, Emberson J, Wheeler DC, Tomson C, Wanner C, Krane V, Cass A,

Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21663949/

This study investigated the effect of a daily dose of simvastatin 20 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg in patients with chronic kidney disease. This randomised double-blind trial included 9,270 patients with chronic kidney disease (3,023 on dialysis and 6,247 not) with no known history of myocardial infarction or coronary revascularisation. The trial lasted for 4.9 years and 4,650 patients were assigned to receive simvastatin plus ezetimibe and 4,620 to placebo.

The study found that patients who received simvastatin plus ezetimibe had a 2% increased risk of death compared to the patients who received placebo.

Statins increase the risk of cataracts by 20%

2013 Jun 15

Study title and authors:

Statin Use and Cataract Surgery: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study in Elderly Ethnic Chinese Patients.

Lai CL, Shau WY, Chang CH, Chen MF, Lai MS.

Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23771795

This study investigated the relationship between statin therapy and cataracts. The study included 50,165 adults aged between 65 and 90 years who were followed for an average of 10.7 years.

The study found that statin users had a 20% increased risk of cataract surgery compared to statin non-users.

Statin major adverse effects have been under-reported and the way in which they withheld from the public, and even concealed, is a scientific farce

This paper was published in the Open Journal of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Vol. 3 No. 3, 2013, pp. 179-185

Study title and authors:

The Ugly Side of Statins. Systemic Appraisal of the Contemporary Un-Known Unknowns

S. Sultan and N. Hynes

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=34065

This paper undertook a comprehensive review of the scientific literature for articles relating to cardiovascular primary prevention and statin side effects.

The review found:

(a) There is a categorical lack of clinical evidence to support the use of statin therapy in primary prevention.

(b) Not only is there a dearth of evidence for primary cardiovascular protection, there is ample evidence to show that statins actually augment cardiovascular risk in women, patients with Diabetes Mellitus and in the young.

(c) Statins are associated with triple the risk of coronary artery and aortic artery calcification.
(d) There is increased risk of diabetes mellitus, cataract formation, and erectile dysfunction in young statin users.
(e) There is a significant increase in the risk of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly plus an enhanced risk of a myriad of infectious diseases.
(f) A review of the use of statins found evidence of selective reporting of outcomes and failure to report adverse events.

Sultan concluded: "These finding on statin major adverse effects had been under-reported and the way in which they withheld from the public, and even concealed, is a scientific farce".

Women using statins have a 9% increased risk of breast cancer

2003 Mar;56(3):280-5

Study title and authors:
Statin use and the risk of breast cancer.

Beck P, Wysowski DK, Downey W, Butler-Jones D.
Saskatchewan Health, Population Health Branch, 3475 Albert Street, Regina SK S4S 6X6, Canada. pbeck@health.gov.sk.ca

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12725884

The study investigated the association of statin use and breast cancer. The study included 13,592 statin users and 53,880 nonexposed subjects who were followed for up to 8.5 years.

The study found that women using statins had a 9% increased risk of breast cancer compared to women not exposed to statins.

Low cholesterol levels may be associated with the development of dementia

2007 Jan;64(1):103-7

Study title and authors:
Twenty-six-year change in total cholesterol levels and incident dementia: the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study.

Stewart R, White LR, Xue QL, Launer LJ.
King's College London (Institute of Psychiatry), Section of Epidemiology, England. r.stewart@iop.kcl.ac.uk

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17210816

This study investigated the relationship between cholesterol levels and the risk of dementia. The study included 1,027 men who were followed for 26 years. Over the course of the study the men had their cholesterol levels measured on five occasions and were screened for dementia on two occasions.

The study found that cholesterol levels in men with dementia and, in particular, those with Alzheimer disease had declined at least 15 years before the diagnosis and remained lower than cholesterol levels in men without dementia throughout that period.

Stewart concluded: "A decline in serum total cholesterol levels may be associated with early stages in the development of dementia".

Ulcerative colitis and statins

2002 May;78(919):286-7

Study title and authors:
Ulcerative colitis after statin treatment.

Rea WE, Durrant DC, Boldy DA.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Pilgrim Hospital, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Boston, Lincs, UK.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12151572

This paper describes the case of a man who developed ulcerative colitis as an adverse reaction to simvastatin. (Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease).

(i) A 65 year old man was admitted to hospital with a one month history of diarrhoea, passing between five and 10 loose, watery motions per day, occasionally with blood.
(ii) The patient had had one similar episode, approximately one year before admission. On that occasion, it was felt by his general practitioner that the episode coincided with the patient starting pravastatin.
(iii) The pravastatin was discontinued and the patient’s symptoms resolved.
(iv) At the time of admission, the patient was taking simvastatin 20 mg once a day. He had been started on simvastatin 10 mg once a day, six months before admission, and this had been increased to simvastatin 20 mg once a day one month before admission.
(v) Shortly afterwards, the symptoms had started.
(vi) Examination revealed he was dehydrated and had generalised rectal tenderness with a small amount of fresh blood.
(vii) Investigations showed:
A raised serum urea concentration.
Reduced haemoglobin.
Low albumin.
Partial blockage of the small intestine.
(viii) Tests found inflammation of the colon and the lining of the rectum.
(ix) A biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of simvastatin induced ulcerative colitis.
(x) The simvastatin was discontinued.
(xi) The patient received treatment but by day five had significantly more abdominal pain.
(xii) Investigations revealed severe ulcerative colitis with ulceration and polyp formation throughout.
(xiii) The patient had an operation to remove all of the colon, rectum and anus.
(xiv) Despite treatment in an intensive care unit the patient developed multiple organ failure and died.

Rea concludes: "This side effect of statin treatment is almost certainly subject to under-reporting".

People with the lowest cholesterol levels have the highest rate of death from coronary heart disease

1997 May 15;126(10):753-60

Study title and authors:

Clarifying the direct relation between total cholesterol levels and death from coronary heart disease in older persons.

Corti MC, Guralnik JM, Salive ME, Harris T, Ferrucci L, Glynn RJ, Havlik RJ.

National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9205, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9148647

This study investigated the association of cholesterol levels and the risk of death from heart disease. The study included 4,066 men and women who were followed for five years.

The study found:
(a) Those with the lowest cholesterol levels (less than 4.15 mmol/L [160 mg/dL]) had the highest rate of death from coronary heart disease.
(b) Those with the highest cholesterol levels (more than 6.20 mmol/L [240 mg/dL]) had the lowest rate of death from coronary heart disease.

Long term use of statins increases the risk of breast cancer

2013 Jul 5

Study title and authors:
Long-term statin use and risk of ductal and lobular breast cancer among women 55-74 years of age.

McDougall JA, Malone KE, Daling JR, Cushing-Haugen KL, Porter PL, Li CI.
Epidemiology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23833125

This study investigated the relationship between long term statin use and the risk of breast cancer. The study included 916 women with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer and 1,068 women with invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer who were compared with 902 women free of breast cancer. The women were aged between 55-74 years.

The study found:
(a) Current users of statins for 10 years or longer had a 83% increased risk of invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer compared to women who had never used statins.
(b) Current users of statins for 10 years or longer had a 97% increased risk of invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer compared to women who had never used statins.

McDougall concluded: "All statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase at the rate-limiting step of the mevalonate pathway, an intricate biochemical pathway required for the production of cholesterol, isoprenoids, dolichol, ubiquinone, and isopentenyladine. Laboratory studies have investigated how disrupting the melavonate pathway may lead to carcinogenesis. Our finding of an increased risk only among current long-term statin users suggests that the chronic dysregulation of the mevalonate pathway and/or long-termlowering of serum cholesterol may contribute to breast carcinogenesis".

Low cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of oral cancer

2013 Jan;17(1):4-9

Study title and authors:

Estimation of plasma lipids and its significance on histopathological grades in oral cancer: Prognostic significance an original research.

Sherubin EJ, Kannan KS, Kumar DN, Joseph I.

Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sree Mookambika Institute of Dental Sciences, Kulasekharam, Tamil Nadu, India.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23798822

This study investigated the association between cholesterol levels and the risk of oral cancer. The cholesterol levels of 50 patients with oral cancer, aged between 20 and 60 years, were compared with normal cholesterol levels.

The study found:
(a) The cholesterol levels of patients with oral cancer were 16-45% lower than normal cholesterol levels.
(b) The low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of patients with oral cancer were 45% lower than normal LDL cholesterol levels.
(c) The cholesterol levels of patients with the most invasive form of oral cancer were 14% lower than patients with the mildest form of oral cancer.
(d) The low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of patients with the most invasive form of oral cancer were 17% lower than patients with the mildest form of oral cancer.

The results of the study reveal that low cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of oral cancer.

Doctor says there is no evidence that statins are safe

This paper was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal May 6: 2008

Study title and author:
Statins - Safe?
Dr Herbert H. Nehrlich

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.cmaj.ca/content/178/5/576.abstract/reply#content-block

Dr Nehrlich, a doctor from Australia, discusses the effects of statin drugs.

(i) Statins reduce the body's production of mevalonate through the suppression of a liver enzyme called hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG) coenzyme A reductase.
(ii) This enzyme is crucial in enabling the body to synthesize such substances as cholesterol, Co-enzyme Q-10 etc., substances that are essential for every living cell.
(iii) So, if you reduce the supply of mevalonate, the liver can no longer keep up production of sufficient cholesterol and has to slow the shipping of cholesterol from the depot (liver) to the various areas in need of it via the bloodstream. Hence, blood cholesterol will be lower in lab tests.
(iv) Mevalonate is not just important in this respect but is heavily involved in muscle metabolism as well as in the production of thromboxane. Thromboxane, of course, is the agent responsible for the important stage in healing called clotting and originates in the platelets of our blood.
(v) Mitochondria are energy factories that MUST have coenzyme Q- 10, the very substance that is in short supply when people undergo statin treatment.
(vi) The dismal success record of statin treatment, combined with their sometimes atrocious side effects (identified and hidden) makes the prescription of statins in humans an assault with unknown and likely dire consequences.
(vii) People tend to die with low cholesterol blood levels.
(viii) May I ask for the studies that have shown that lowering cholesterol is reasonable and thus good practice? Statins are safe? Let us look at the PROSPER Trial and the all cause mortality. It is not improved by statins.
(ix) I prefer to see cholesterol as an extremely vital substance, essential for good health and indispensable when it comes to repair and maintenance of the body.
(x) Statins are now Big Pharma's golden goose and the price of gold is rising.
(xi) If we think of rhabdomyolysis, of transient global amnesia and of the propensity of statins to initiate cancer in many animals, if we consider the truly dismal success of statin treatment then we can skip looking at the plausibility of using these drugs altogether.
(xii) Statins are mayhem to Coenzyme Q-10 and it follows that statins may thus weaken the heart. They may cause cancer in humans.

Dr Nehrlich concludes: "There is no evidence that statins are safe".

High cholesterol levels associated with a reduced risk of kidney cancer

This study was published in the 2012 May 1;130(9):2118-28

Study title and authors:
The interplay between lipid profiles, glucose, BMI and risk of kidney cancer in the Swedish AMORIS study.

Van Hemelrijck M, Garmo H, Hammar N, Jungner I, Walldius G, Lambe M, Holmberg L.
King's College London, School of Medicine, Division of Cancer Studies, Cancer Epidemiology Group, London, UK. mieke.vanhemelrijck@kcl.ac.uk

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21630265

This study assessed possible links between cholesterol levels and kidney cancer risk. The study included 542,924 subjects, aged 20 years or older, who were followed for 13 years.

The study found:
(a) Those with the highest cholesterol levels (above 6.5 mmol/L or 251 mg/dL) had a 13% decreased risk of kidney cancer compared to those with the lowest cholesterol levels (below 4.9 mmol/L or 189 mg/dL).
(b) Those with the highest levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (above 4.25 mmol/L or 164 mg/dL) had a 9% decreased risk of kidney cancer compared to those with the lowest cholesterol levels (below 2.82 mmol/L or 109 mg/dL).
(c) Those with the highest levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (above 1.8 mmol/L or 69 mg/dL) had a 36% decreased risk of kidney cancer compared to those with the lowest cholesterol levels (below 1.25 mmol/L or 48 mg/dL).

The study reveals that high cholesterol levels are associated with a reduced risk of kidney cancer.

Simvastatin has deleterious effects on human first trimester placental cells

2005 Oct;20(10):2866-72

Study title and authors:
Simvastatin has deleterious effects on human first trimester placental explants.

Kenis I, Tartakover-Matalon S, Cherepnin N, Drucker L, Fishman A, Pomeranz M, Lishner M.
Oncogenetic Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine A, Sapir Medical Center, Kfar-Saba, Israel.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15958395

A group led by Dr Irina Kenis explored the effects of statins on the placenta. The study compared cultured human first trimester placental cells exposed to small doses of simvastatin with cells not exposed to simvastatin.

The study found:
(a) Compared with unexposed cells, simvastatin sharply inhibited the migration of extravillous trophoblast cells. (The migration of extravillous trophoblast cells into the uterus is a vital stage in the establishment of pregnancy).
(b) Compared with unexposed cells, simvastatin inhibited the formation of trophoblast cells.
(c) Compared with unexposed cells, simvastatin led to more cell death in the trophoblast cells.
(d) Progesterone levels were significantly reduced in the simvastatin-treated cells in comparison with unexposed cells. (Progesterone keeps the placenta functioning properly and the uterine lining healthy and thick).
(e) Human chorionic gonadotropin levels were reduced in the simvastatin-treated cells in comparison with unexposed cells. (Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone produced during pregnancy and should almost double every 48 hours in the beginning of a pregnancy. Human chorionic gonadotropin levels that do not rise appropriately may indicate a problem with the pregnancy).

Dr Kenis concludes: "Simvastatin adversely affects human first trimester trophoblast. These effects may contribute to failure of the implantation process and be deleterious to the growth potential of the placenta".

High cholesterol levels decrease the risk of spinal fractures

2009 Jun;29(8):885-90

Study title and authors:

Serum lipid profile: its relationship with osteoporotic vertebrae fractures and bone mineral density in Turkish postmenopausal women.

Sivas F, Alemdaroğlu E, Elverici E, Kuluğ T, Ozoran K.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19043717

One of the aims of the study was to investigate the effect of cholesterol levels on the risk of fractures in the spine. The study included 107 postmenopausal women aged 45-79.

The study found:
(a) Woman without spinal fractures had 10.6% higher cholesterol levels compared to women with spinal fractures.
(b) Woman without spinal fractures had 14.2% higher levels of low density lipoprtein (LDL)cholesterol compared to women with spinal fractures.
(c) Every increase of 1 mg/dL in cholesterol levels decreased the risk of spinal fracture by 2.2%.

How statins cause muscle damage

2007 Dec;117(12):3940-51

Study title and authors:
The muscle-specific ubiquitin ligase atrogin-1/MAFbx mediates statin-induced muscle toxicity.

Hanai J, Cao P, Tanksale P, Imamura S, Koshimizu E, Zhao J, Kishi S, Yamashita M, Phillips PS, Sukhatme VP, Lecker SH.
Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17992259

In 2001, scientists from the Harvard Medical School discovered the atrogin-1 gene, which plays a major role in muscle atrophy. (Muscle atrophy is the wasting or loss of muscle tissue).

Hanai notes that statins can lead to a number of side effects in muscle, including muscle fibre breakdown. This study sought to find the mechanisms of how statins may induce muscle injury. Since atrogin-1 plays a key role in the development of wasting in skeletal muscle, the study investigated if statins might “turn on” this gene.

They study comprised of three separate experiments to test this hypothesis.

(i) The first experiment examined the expression of the atrogin-1 gene in biopsies of 19 human patients (eight of the patients had muscle pain/damage while using statins). The results showed that atrogin-1 expression was significantly higher among the statin users.
(ii) The second experiment studied statins’ effects on cultured muscle cells treated with various concentrations of lovastatin. Compared with control samples, the lovastatin-treated cells became progressively thinner and more damaged. However, the cells lacking the atrogin-1 gene were resistant to statins’ deleterious effects.
(iii) Thirdly statins were tested on zebra fish. These tests also found that lovastatin led to muscle damage and as the lovastatin levels increased, so too was the damage. Again, (as in the cultured muscle cells) fish lacking the atrogin-1 gene were resistant to statin-induced damage.

Hanai concluded: "Collectively, our human, animal, and in vitro findings shed light on the molecular mechanism of statin-induced myopathy (muscle damage) and suggest that atrogin-1 may be a critical mediator of the muscle damage induced by statins.

High saturated fat and meat consumption lowers the risk of prostate cancer

1997 Nov 27;73(5):634-8

Study title and authors:

Dietary fat intake and risk of prostate cancer: a prospective study of 25,708 Norwegian men.

Veierød MB, Laake P, Thelle DS.

Section of Medical Statistics, University of Oslo, Norway. marit.veierod@basalmed.uio.no

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9398038

This study investigated the relationship between diet and prostate cancer. The study included 25,708 men aged 16-56 years who were followed for up to 15 years.

The study found:
(a) Men who consumed the most saturated fat had a 30% reduced risk of prostate cancer compared to men who consumed the least saturated fat.
(b) Men who consumed the most meat had a 60% reduced risk of prostate cancer compared to men who consumed the least meat.
(c) Men who drank whole milk had a 120% reduced risk of prostate cancer compared to men who drank skimmed milk.
(d) Men who consumed the most polyunsaturated fat had a 40% increased risk of prostate cancer compared to men who consumed the least polyunsaturated fat.
(e) Men who drank skimmed milk had a significantly higher body mass index compared to men who drank whole milk.

The study suggests that a high saturated fat and meat consumption lowers the risk of prostate cancer.

Statins and the risk of bone fracture in postmenopausal women

2003 Jul 15;139(2):97-104

Study title and authors:

Statin use, clinical fracture, and bone density in postmenopausal women: results from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study.

LaCroix AZ, Cauley JA, Pettinger M, Hsia J, Bauer DC, McGowan J, Chen Z, Lewis CE, McNeeley SG, Passaro MD, Jackson RD.

Women's Health Initiative Clinical Coordinating Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, MP-1002, PO Box 19024, Seattle, Washington 98109-1024, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12859159

The objective of the study was to examine the association of statin use with the incidence of hip, lower arm or wrist, and other fractures. The study included 93,716 postmenopausal women, aged 50 to 79 years who were followed for an average of 3.9 years.

The study found:
(a) Women using statins had a 22% increased risk of hip fracture compared to women not using statins.
(b) Women using statins had a 4% increased risk of lower arm or wrist fracture compared to women not using statins.
(c) Women using statins had an 11% increased risk of other fractures compared to women not using statins.

Doctor says vegetarians develop vitamin B12 deficiency regardless of wealth, age, where they live or type of vegetarian diet

2013 Feb;71(2):110-7

Study title and authors:

How prevalent is vitamin B(12) deficiency among vegetarians?

Pawlak R, Parrott SJ, Raj S, Cullum-Dugan D, Lucus D.

Department of Nutrition Science, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. pawlakr@ecu.edu

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23356638

The aim of this paper, headed by Dr Roman Pawlak from the Department of Nutrition Science at East Carolina University, was to review the scientific literature to assess the rate of vitamin B12 deficiency among vegetarians and vegans. The review found 18 studies that assessed vitamin B12 deficiency rates.

The review found:
(a) 62% of vegetarian pregnant women were vitamin B12 deficient.
(b) Between 25-86% of vegetarian children were vitamin B12 deficient.
(c) Between 21-41% of vegetarian adolescents were vitamin B12 deficient.
(d) Between 11-90% of elderly vegetarians were vitamin B12 deficient.
(e) Higher rates of deficiency were reported among vegans compared with vegetarians.
(f) Higher rates of deficiency were reported among individuals who had adhered to a vegetarian diet since birth compared with those who had adopted such a diet later in life.

Dr Pawlak concluded: "The main finding of this review is that vegetarians develop B12 depletion or deficiency regardless of demographic characteristics, place of residency, age, or type of vegetarian diet".

Doctor says statin drug hypersensitivity reactions are potentially life-threatening

1999 Mar;115(3):886-9

Study title and authors:
Polymyalgia, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other reactions in patients receiving HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: a report of ten cases.

Liebhaber MI, Wright RS, Gelberg HJ, Dyer Z, Kupperman JL.
Department of Medicine and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA. mil1258@pol.net

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10084510

This paper, headed by Dr Myron Liebhaber from the University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, describes ten patients who developed hypersensitivity-type reactions after taking statin medications. (A hypersensitivity reaction is an exaggerated inflammatory response by the immune system to a drug or other foreign substance).

Patient 1
(i) Nine months after starting lovastatin, 20 mg daily, a 54 year old man developed urticaria over his entire body and angioedema of his upper lip. (Urticaria also known as hives, is a kind of skin rash with pale red, raised, itchy bumps. Angioedema is swelling under the skin).
(ii) Tests revealed an autoimmune disorder (where the body attacks its own tissues).
(iii) Lovastatin was discontinued, and his symptoms gradually resolved over seven days.

Patient 2
(i) A 69-year-old woman was referred for medical attention for an evaluation of a cough.
(ii) She had been taking pravastatin, 20 mg to 40 mg daily, for 6 years.
(iii) She was given medication and her condition improved although tests revealed impaired lung function.
(iv) Over the next six weeks her symptoms became much worse and she was given medication.
(v) Despite the treatment her cough continued.
(vi) A scan found inflammation in the lungs.
(vii) A lung biopsy led to a diagnosis of pravastatin induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis. (Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a disease in which your lungs become inflamed when they are exposed to substances to which you are allergic).
(viii) The pravastatin was stopped, and her cough resolved two weeks later.
(ix) A follow-up scan seven weeks after the first one showed complete resolution of the inflammation in her lungs.

Patient 3
(i) Three years after starting pravastatin 20 mg daily, a 77 year old man developed gradually increasing inflammation, with symptoms of polymyalgia. (Polymyalgia is pain, stiffness and tenderness in many muscles).
(ii) In addition, three years after starting pravastatin, the patient had retinal vein thrombosis. (Retinal vein thrombosis is when one of the tiny retinal veins becomes blocked by a blood clot).
(iii) The patient then developed a sudden worsening of his heart function.
(iv) After discontinuing the pravastatin his heart function normalized, and resolution of the polymyalgia syndrome occurred over one month.

Patient 4
(i) A 66-year-old man started taking lovastatin, 20 mg daily.
(ii) Four years later, the patient complained of fatigability, drowsiness, shortness of breath and joint pain.
(iii) Tests revealed inflammation and an autoimmune disorder.
(iv) He stopped taking lovastatin.
(v) His symptoms gradually resolved over two months.

Patient 5
(i) A 76-year-old woman was started on lovastatin, 20 mg daily.
(ii) One year later she began to complain of muscle aches.
(iii) Two years later, she developed shortness of breath, joint pain and psoriasis. (Psoriasis is inflammation of the skin and develops as patches of red, scaly skin).
(iv) She then had a small heart attack and a failed artery graft.
(v) Lovastatin was discontinued, and she had a gradual improvement of her shortness of breath, joint pain, muscle pain and back pain over a two month period.

Patient 6
(i) An 80-year-old woman had been taking simvastatin, 10 mg daily, for 3 years.
(ii) She began having shortness of breath on exertion.
(iii) Investigations revealed she had inflammation.
(iv) Simvastatin was discontinued.
(v) Her shortness of breath improved and inflammation decreased over the next three weeks.

Patient 7
(i) A 49-year-old man had been taking pravastatin, 40 mg daily, for four years.
(ii) During this period, he had generalised itching and urticaria, along with swelling of his fingers and feet.
(iii) Test revealed an autoimmune disorder.
(iv) Pravastatin was discontinued, and the itching and swelling gradually resolved over the subsequent month.

Patient 8
(i) A 77-year-old woman was treated with pravastatin, 10 mg daily, for 3 years.
(ii) During this period, she had generalised itching with urticaria.
(iii) Investigations revealed she had inflammation and an autoimmune disorder.
(iv) Her symptoms cleared one month after discontinuing the pravastatin.

Patient 9
(i) A 53 year old man started to take pravastatin 40 mg daily.
(ii) Within six months he developed angioedema (swelling) of the eyelids and a sensation of his airway closing.
(iii) He discontinued pravastatin.
(iv) His symptoms gradually resolved 30 days later.

Patient 10
(i) A 73-year-old man developed intense itching and urticaria after taking pravastatin 20 mg daily for three years.
(ii) Tests revealed she had an autoimmune disorder.
(iii) He discontinued pravastatin and 12 days later his symptoms resolved.

Dr Liebhaber concluded: "We feel it is important for clinicians to recognize early symptoms of statin drug hypersensitivity because they are potentially life-threatening".