While we rarely comment on drugs, but there are risks associated with statin drugs that are designed to reduce your LDL cholesterol.

Please note that Red Yeast Rice is a fermented rice product that naturally contains statin drugs.  Therefore, it has the same risks as prescription drugs. 

What are statins?

Statins are drugs created by pharmaceutical companies.  Statin drugs, taken by millions of Americans, are designed to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease.   It turns out they also can cut the risk of developing dangerous blood clots that can lodge in the legs or lungs (Ed: by thinning the blood).

Statins May Cause Muscle Damage in Some Patients
The following is quoted from Forbes July 2009

“People with serious muscle aches showed muscle fiber damage even after halting drugs, researchers say
Over the past decade, statins have become the best-selling drug in America, accounting for $14.5 billion in sales in 2008. The drugs, which work in the liver to prevent the formation of cholesterol, are used in the prevention of coronary artery disease.

Statins do work to lower cholesterol, however the feature that may reduce heart disease is the fact they lower internal inflammation.

Statins, medications widely used to lower cholesterol, may cause structural damage to the muscles of people experiencing muscle aches and weakness, a new study has found.

In the new study, 41 percent of those experiencing myopathy (minor muscle aches and weakness) were taking simvastatin (Zocor); 31 percent were taking pravastatin (Pravachol); 17 percent were taking atorvastatin (Lipitor); 7 percent were taking fluvastatin (Lescol), and 3 percent were taking rosuvastatin (Crestor).

The study participants were experiencing pain severe enough to interfere with daily tasks and exercise.

The authors note that the sample size was too small to determine if one drug was associated with increased complaints of muscle pain or damage.

American Heart Association spokesman Dr. Roger Blumenthal said studies such as this may help doctors learn why some people develop statin-related side effects while others don’t.”

More Information
Learn more about statins from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

How about natural approaches?
Wellness Online offers numerous natural approaches to keep one’s blood thin, to keep one’s LDL cholesterol low, and to deal with internal inflammation.

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