Dr. Oz: Statins
Dr. Oz kicked off his show by talking about statins and what we should know before we take one. There’s a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding statins. Most doctors agree statins can be a powerful tool to combat cardiovascular disease and stroke. They lower cholesterol in the blood and prevent clots and clogs in the veins by reducing the amount of cholesterol produced in the liver.
Dr. Oz talked about the risks of taking statins and the three rules you should observe when you’re weighing the decision of whether to take one. (best pixels / Shutterstock.com)
But there are side effects. Statins have been linked to liver damage, muscle pain, and increased blood sugar, the latter of which can lead to diabetes. Some patients report memory loss and confusion after taking statins.
Dr. Oz: Never Use Statins as a Band-Aid for Heart Disease
Dr. Oz gave his three rules for statins and the first one is to never use statins as a band-aid for heart disease. Dr. Oz talked to three women who were prescribed statins. The first woman was named Nicole and she had high cholesterol. She has high blood pressure and heart disease in her family. Her mom also died young of heart disease. Dr. Oz said her mom dying young of the disease is a big predictor that Nicole’s cholesterol might be an issue. Dr. Oz said statins make sense for her.
Sherry was prescribed a statin 10 years ago, even though her cholesterol is borderline. But her problem is high blood pressure. Kristen was prescribed a statin because she’s a Type 2 diabetic and she’s been trying to combat it with diet and exercise.
Dr. Oz said that statins treat high cholesterol very well, but high blood sugar and high blood pressure aren’t directly treated by a statin. Taking statins gives people a false sense of security. Statins may be helping you somewhat, but they aren’t helping the blood sugar and blood pressure issues, and those are still time bombs for heart disease independent of your cholesterol problems.
Dr. Oz: Try a Lifestyle Change Before Taking a Statin
Dr. Oz’s second rule is to try a lifestyle change for three months before taking a statin. He introduced cardiologist Dr. Holly Andersen, who said people with multiple high risk factors should be on a statin. But the people who have moderate to lower risks should consider whether they’ll benefit from one.
“Lifestyle always trumps medicine. Medicines are used in addition to healthy lifestyle to help us fight disease and live longer. Physical activity is the fountain of youth. It’s good for the brain, it’s good for the heart, it’s good for your mood. It’s good for stress reduction and sleep, all of which are incredibly healthy for your heart and for your survival. And you are what you eat,” she said. “It’s not just about what you weigh. It’s about what you eat.”
Dr. Oz: What to Eat to Lower Cholesterol
Dr. Andersen said that we also need to reconsider oatmeal. When it first came out that oatmeal was healthy for the heart and that you could lower your cholesterol with oats, people started eating pick oatmeal muffins with lots of butter and sugar. They’re also eating instant oatmeal with lots of salt and sugar. Instead, Dr. Andersen said we should be eating steel cut oatmeal that’s high in fiber and will help us lower our cholesterol. She also thinks we should eat it with an orange, which is packed with antioxidants and also have soluble fiber. Dr. Oz said having the right kind of oatmeal and an orange for breakfast could lower your bad cholesterol by 10 to 15 percent.
Salmon can also help lower blood pressure, prevent heart attacks, and prevent strokes. Nuts and walnuts also improve cholesterol and studies show people who eat these daily live longer with less heart disease.
Dr. Oz: Weigh the Risks Against the Benefits of Statins
Dr. Oz’s third rule was for people to weigh the risks of taking a statin against the benefits of taking one. There are lots of side effects, but there are definitely benefits if you need it. Dr. Andersen said if you’re at a high risk of heart disease, the side effects are worth it. But if you’re at moderate to lower risk, talk to your doctor. Dr. Andersen said doctors can now use imaging to look at the arteries at your neck and heart to see whether there’s any plaque there.
Joyce Granville says
Hi: I am a healthy young 77 year old girl. I do take a statin every night, but I am not sure i want to keep taking it to control my cholestrol . I am bordeline diabetic. My A!C is 6.5, and I also have some Arthritis in the right knee, otherwise I still work part time and I get to sit too. I take Cinnamon pills to control my sugar which does help. I am not happy about taking statins for the rest of my life. I’ve heard they can cause memory loss and muscle aches. I have my blood sugar checked every three months. Any thoughts about this? I appreciate any suggestions! Thanks,
Joyce in Northern California