Statin Withdrawal

Statins could possibly be used by those unable to exercise at an intensity sufficient to 'burn' fat as a fuel source. The blood flow rate is increased. The heart is a muscle, but health issues may compromise efforts to effect improvements. The arterial fat (cholesterol) may possibly only be reduced by drugs. However, when drugs have lowered any fat build up that may cause blockages to blood flow, exercise should (if possible) then take the place of the drugs (cholesterol sequesters). This is possibly not an option and medical supervision should be followed. Coming off statins, however, is not a simple affair and is possibly a reason that they can be potentially harmful in the longer term.

• It is not uncommon for patients treated with steroids to gain (fat) weight. The dilemma is a reasonable level of health vs weight gain.

Statins not only lower cholesterol, but also reduce C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of harmful inflammation in the arteries that can lead to blood clots.

• Statin withdrawal leads to a rapid and significant increase in CRP, independent of the parallel LDL increase.

Dozens of studies have shown that CRP, like cholesterol, is an important, independent predictor of heart attack and stroke risk.