Why you should never take statins? Very rarely, statins can cause life-threatening muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis (rab-doe-my-OL-ih-sis). Rhabdomyolysis can cause severe muscle pain, liver damage, kidney failure and death. The risk of very serious side effects is extremely low, and calculated in a few cases per million people taking statins.
Beside this, What can you take instead of statins? 7 cholesterol-lowering alternatives to statins
- Fibrates. Mostly used for lowering triglyceride levels in patients whose levels are very high and could cause pancreatitis. …
- Plant stanols and sterols. …
- Cholestyramine and other bile acid-binding resins. …
- Niacin. …
- Policosanol. …
- Red yeast rice extract (RYRE) …
- Natural products.
Does atorvastatin cause weight gain?
As with many medications, statins may cause side effects, including digestive problems, muscle pain and weakness, and cognitive dysfunction. Another side effect that’s been linked to statins is weight gain.
In this manner, Do statins make you age faster?
Statins do have side effects, all medication does to some extent. And some of those side effects reported could also be deemed to be signs of premature aging. Memory loss and weakness or fatigue are both listed under ‘uncommon side effects’ on the NHS website.
What happens when you stop taking a statin?
Stopping your statin has been linked to increased risk for cardiovascular events (like heart attack) and death in patients with coronary artery disease. In a recent 8-year study, more than half of patients stopped their statin believing they were experiencing a side effect.
What is a good substitute for atorvastatin?
Cholesterol-Lowering Treatment Options That Aren’t Statins
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
- Fluvastatin (Lescol)
- Simvastatin (Zocor)
- Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
- Pravastatin (Pravachol)
- Lovastatin (Mevacor)
- Pitavastatin (Livalo)
Can I refuse to take statins?
Our goal is to decrease your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. We know that for patients at high risk, statins can do this — and potentially save lives. Before you refuse to take a statin or stop taking a statin, consult your doctor.
Is there a natural alternative to atorvastatin?
Natural alternatives to statins include soy products like tofu and edamame. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 35 million Americans have high LDL, also known as bad cholesterol. This greatly increases your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Do statins reduce belly fat?
Statins may improve gut microbiota and help shed weight in obese individuals, finds a new study. The MetaCardis investigators have explored gut bacteria in almost 900 individuals from Denmark, France and observed that obesity-associated microbiota dysbiosis is negatively associated with statin treatment.
What supplements should not be taken with atorvastatin?
A magnesium- and aluminum-containing antacid was reported to interfere with atorvastatin absorption. People can avoid this interaction by taking atorvastatin two hours before or after any aluminum/magnesium-containing antacids. Some magnesium supplements such as magnesium hydroxide are also antacids.
Can you drink coffee with atorvastatin?
In this elegant study, they showed that a 3-day treatment with atorvastatin reduced infarct size, which was completely abolished by concomitant administration of caffeinated coffee, but not decaffeinated coffee, in the drinking bottle [7].
Can statins cause dementia?
The researchers found that of 300 older adults with mildly impaired thinking and memory, those using “lipophilic” statins were more likely to develop dementia over the next eight years. Lipophilic statins include such widely used medications as simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor) and lovastatin (Altoprev).
Can you stop take statin if your cholesterol is normal?
Overall, the most important thing is to keep your cholesterol levels under control. Stopping statins on your own won’t accomplish that goal and could cause serious health risks. Work with your doctor to devise a treatment plan that can meet your cholesterol needs while keeping you safe and healthy.
Can I take atorvastatin every other day?
Conclusions: In hypercholesterolemia patients, atorvastatin 10 mg every other day is safe and effective in lowering TC, TG, with LDL-c and a slight increase in HDL-c.
How long can you go without atorvastatin?
Official Answer. It takes about 77 hours (3 days) for atorvastatin to be out of your system. The elimination half life of atorvastatin is approximately 14 hours.
Can you stop take statin Once your cholesterol is normal?
If you’ve been taking statins and would like to stop, you’ll need to do so with your doctor’s guidance. This is because it can be dangerous to stop taking statins. These drugs are highly effective in preventing heart problems such as heart attack and stroke.
Do statins age you faster?
However, it is not the only mechanism that has been shown to be, and which ones are causal has not really been determined. Interestingly, another study recently reported that statins could slow aging, as they were found to be associated with longer telomere length.
What vitamin is good for lowering cholesterol?
Niacin is a B vitamin. Doctors sometimes suggest it for patients with high cholesterol or heart concerns. It increases the level of good cholesterol and reduces triglycerides, another fat that can clog arteries. You can get niacin from foods, especially liver and chicken, or from supplements.
How can I lower my cholesterol without statins?
Tips for reducing your cholesterol
- Avoid trans and saturated fats. Eating foods that contain saturated or trans fats can increase your cholesterol level. …
- Eat lots of soluble fiber. …
- Exercise. …
- Cut down on your alcohol intake. …
- Try fish oil supplements. …
- Take a garlic supplement.
Do statins make you gain weight?
As with many medications, statins may cause side effects, including digestive problems, muscle pain and weakness, and cognitive dysfunction. Another side effect that’s been linked to statins is weight gain.
Do I really need statins?
If your risk is very low, you probably won’t need a statin, unless your LDL is above 190 mg/dL (4.92 mmol/L). If your risk is very high — for example, you’ve had a heart attack in the past — a statin may be helpful even if you don’t have high cholesterol.