A study on the effects of statins and dementia/memory/cognitive impairment
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1543594612001092?via%3Dihub
There has been a lot of discussion about the dangers of statin drugs. The American Heart Association has changed their target cholesterol numbers over the last few decades, continuously lowering the “goal” to get more patients on a statin. They will use every excuse possible to get you on that med. It has notorious side effects such as muscle pain and achy legs, tiredness, brain fog. We know that cholesterol is a building block for hormones, so men experience low testosterone from taking a statin. We also know that primary care providers get a yearly insurance bonus for a certain percentage of their patients being on a statin. It is a kickback just like vaccines are to pediatricians.
In this new study, they evaluated how people with dementia did while on and off a statin. The findings were interesting.
In a 12 week study, among adults age 60 and over, who had early mild to moderate dementia, they decided to stop the statin they were prescribed to see what happened. The test group was given the MMSE, or the Mini Mental Status Exam, and scores were logged. The statin was then stopped for 6 weeks. The MMSE was given again. The statin was restarted, and at the 6 week mark after the statin was restarted, the MMSE was again given.
The findings? Patients had a better score on their MMSE when the statin was STOPPED. As in, they scored better at the 6 week mark post statin stoppage. When the statin was restarted, and the MMSE was given again 6 weeks later, their MMSE scores worsened again.
So this begs the question: if statin stoppage has this kind of effect on those with mild to moderate dementia, what happens if we never START a statin to begin with? Do dementia rates drop? Because lord knows most adults are on a statin.
I am not a pro statin person, I will just let that be known. I watched the side effects in someone who took one for a year. When they stopped it, the side effects went away. Other studies have shown that there is NO decrease in heart attacks or repeat heart attacks despite statin use. Dr. Pierre Kory has a fantastic article about stopping the use of statins, as they do more harm than good.
Years ago, when my doctor had me on statins to control my BP (they all failed), I asked him how long they were projected to prolong my life. He pulled out his smart phone and the answer was: three days. I promptly refused them for all of eternity as I 1) do not have high cholesterol and 2) was tired of all the muscle cramps. and 3) they didn't work for me.
Now, a skinny friend of mine whose cholesterol was over 800 has seen his numbers drop to "normal", so apparently they work for some. YMMV.
I have a male friend who started statins at age 55 (doctor suggestion) and within 2 weeks was having memory problems. I told him he was lucky to be that sensitive. Now he will never take them. Pharma's misleading imagery of bacon grease congealing has made them BILLION$. Keep at 'em, Dr. F!