(NaturalNews) Statins are prescribed by the millions as “wonder drugs” that lower cholesterol. What’s more, this class of medications has also been touted as a possible way to prevent Alzheimer's, the mind-robbing disease that currently afflicts about 5 million Americans, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
So it’s not surprising that anyone who has a family history of dementia and has witnessed the horrific nightmare that is Alzheimer’s disease (AD) might welcome taking a daily statin pill that could protect them from a similar fate.
Now comes word, however, that claims statins can prevent AD are just plain wrong. According to research published in the January 16, 2008, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, scientists conclude statins offer no protection against Alzheimer’s disease.
The research team, headed by Zoe Arvanitakis, MD, MS, Associate Professor of the Department of Neurological Sciences at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, studied 929 Catholic clergy members with an average age of 75. The research subjects, who agreed to have their brains autopsied when they died, participated in the Religious Orders Study, an ongoing study of aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
All were free of dementia symptoms when the research project began; they were given annual cognitive tests for up to 12 years to check for developing memory problems. When any participants died, their brains were biopsied in order to definitively find out who had AD.
In all, brain biopsies were performed on 262 individuals - 47 statin users and 215 nonusers. The scientists documented that statin use at any time during the study had no influence on which person had developed the tell-tale plaques of amyloidal beta and neurofibrillary tangles that mark AD. What’s more, taking statins played no role in preventing any of the research subjects from having strokes.
“Some studies have suggested people taking cholesterol-lowering drugs are less likely to have Alzheimer’s disease, but our longitudinal findings found no relation between statin use and Alzheimer’s,” said study author Arvanitakis, a member of the American Academy of Neurology.
This news follows another recent negative report about one brand of statins, Vytorin, which has been found to be worthless for its intended purpose - the reduction of artery clogging plaque. The ENHANCE study compared Vytorin, which contains two types of statins, Zetia (ezetimibe) and Zocor (simvastatin), to Zocor alone.
Not only did the combination pill not reduce dangerous plaque buildup in neck arteries, the researchers suggest the patients on Vytorin might have experienced slightly more plaque buildup.
There’s another reason to beware of statin drugs as panaceas. The medications have been found associated with a host of side effects, many serious. For example, the package insert for the popular statin drug Lipitor warns consumers of possible muscle pain, weakness, liver problems and adrenal insufficiency.
Fortunately there are non-toxic, natural ways that appear to help prevent both your brain and your cardiovascular system. According to a study published in the November 13, 2007, issue of Neurology®, a diet rich in omega-3 oils (abundant in cold water fish like salmon), fruits and vegetables may lower your risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease – and this eating lifestyle is also linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
About the authorSherry Baker is a widely published writer whose work has appeared in Newsweek, Health, the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Yoga Journal, Optometry, Atlanta, Arthritis Today, Natural Healing Newsletter, OMNI, UCLA’s "Healthy Years" newsletter, Mount Sinai School of Medicine’s "Focus on Health Aging" newsletter, the Cleveland Clinic’s "Men’s Health Advisor" newsletter and many others.
Related Articles
• Healing foods beat statin drugs for lowering high cholesterol
• Vioxx only the beginning; antidepressants and statin drugs are medication timebombs
• FDA panel says no to over-the-counter statin drugs; will the recommendation stand?
• Statin drugs expose patients to dangerous, debilitating side effects
• Treating high cholesterol? Statin drugs can cause devastating side effects
 |
Additional Resources:
statin drugs
Alzheimer’s
statins
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
Email this article to a friend
Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/022726.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
When pharmacists tell the truth

|
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|