Statins are a treatment prescribed in the case of high “bad” cholesterol levels, as a way to reduce them and support heart health.
However, a recent study has shown that they are far more harmful than beneficial. Statin drugs, like Crestor, Lipitor, and Zocor, are often prescribed, and only in the United States, more than $374 billion are spent on them in the year 2014.
They are quite expensive, but consumers should worry about much more than the price.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Physiology, statins “…impact on other biologic properties of stem cells provides a novel explanation for their adverse clinical effects.
“ Hence, the side effects of these drugs include accelerated “process of aging” and the “…long-term use of statins has been associated with adverse effects including myopathy, neurological side effects and an increased risk of diabetes.” Myopathy is a condition of skeletal muscle weakness.
Moreover, researchers have found the health issues caused by statins have been downplayed recently. People taking statins often experience muscle pain, memory loss, fatigue, liver damage, and cataracts.
Also, statins wreak havoc in cells as they obstruct the repair process of the body. As stated by the professor Reza Izadpanah, a stem cell biologist and lead author of the published study,
“Our study shows statins may speed up the aging process. People who use statins as a preventative medicine for [health] should think again as our research shows they may have general unwanted effects on the body which could include muscle pain, nerve problems, and joint problems.”
Yet, even though statins are related to multiple side-effects, FDA claims they are safe and effective. At the same time, their online site maintains that
“Cognitive (brain-related) impairment, such as memory loss, forgetfulness, and confusion, has been reported by some statin users” and that “People being treated with statins may have an increased risk of raised blood sugar levels and the development of Type 2 diabetes.”
The site focuses on the advice of Amy G. Egan, M.D., M.P.H., the deputy director for safety in the FDA’s Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products (DMEP), who claims that:
“This new information should not scare people off statins. Their benefit is indisputable, but they need to be taken with care and knowledge of their side effects.”
However, the findings of recent studies indicate that there is a need for further research on the effects of prescription drugs, as they are linked to numerous adverse effects.
Another similar study on the adolescent antidepressant “Paxil” found some rather disturbing facts as well. Namely, scientists have found certain flaws in the original study. They found that the drug is neither safe nor efficient.
Hence, Brian Nosek, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia believes that it “signals that the community is waking up, checking its work and doing what science is supposed to do — self-correct.”
Sources:
www.naturalnews.com
www.organicandhealthy.org
www.webmd.com