Statins are a highly prescribed drug that many think more people should be on even as a preventative measure. The cholesterol as major causation for heart disesase and stroke is based on a long history of questionable science. While statins can be an important tool in some cases, that number is very low. Moreover, statins can actually induce a variety of deficincies in most people. Some manifest with side effects, some do not.
One client was on 80mg of atorvastatin (commonly known as Lipitor) and noticed muscular side effects, which are predictable especially at that dose. After some education time, we worked with his doctor to trial 6 months on our program and then retesting cholesterol number to ensure we were on the right track. This client was on the standard American diet with an Italian influence (Pasta!). Having been to Italy it is easy to understand why as the food there is amazing. We implemented the Bulletproof Diet, although not fully in all cases as it was hard to the spouse to go along all the time (another thing we can help with is to find happy mediums…at least less harmful choices). Not a coffee drinker so utilized the same formula as for kids described in the ADHD section. Also added a few mitochondrial supplements, especially Co Q10 which statins block the production of as a direct effect of their mechanism of action. We also added a GI supplement to combat some of the years of damage caused by heavy grain and associated herbicide exposure (glyphosate aka Roundup). Energy returned almost immediately upon cessation of the atorvastatin. After 6 months the doctor was impressed and he will continue with the lifestyle modifications as his cholesterol numbers were good. What would have been great to demonstrate is that inflammation was likely reduced as well, but we did not have the requisite lab data to back that up as it was not on the panel.
Another gentleman, 80 yrs old, was experiencing many joint pains and other symptoms of pain. We implemented the Bulletproof Diet and hyperbaric oxygen. Despite, moving boxes and a whole household continuously during our hyperbaric oxygen treatments, the pain he experienced was the lowest in years. His doctor was not so willing to authorize the cessation of statin therapy, but the patient did on his own. He also felt much better off of it and will continue to be monitored regularly by his provider.
Both of these cases demonstrate the Prescriptive Optimization approach of listening to clients concerns and working with them to achieve the results they were seeking.