Statins and Diabetes

Never heard that one before, but I did a little quick reading on it.

Statins it seems may effect BGL when taken in high doses such as 80mg of Lipitor or Zocor. Research found that there is about a 9% chance of this happening at these higher dose levels.

Niacin...The study that suggests there may be an issue was done in the 1980's, and once again it was people who were on very high doses that had the problems. Since then several large studies have been done and the results show that there is only a small chance of creating issues with BGL and that at high levels.

I have been on and off Lipitor, Zocor and Niacin for many years and have not noticed any changes with my BGL.

For some reason cholesterol problems seem to be very common with diabetics. Even those who have maintained a very healthy diet and get plenty of exercise often have issues with their cholesterol numbers being off. Because of this there are a lot of people who are on cholesterol lowering medications who are diabetic.

They tried to put me on statins a few years ago. The reasons given were 1) I'm Diabetic, 2) I had slightly elevated levels, and 3) my "higher risk" status made it a good "preventative" drug.

I went on Lipitor and had the muscle side effects. Switched me to Crestor - same muscle symptoms. During this time I did my research and found (personally), that it's all a big farce. I came to my own conclusions and decided never to take a statin again based on facts:

- the cholesterol myth was originally fabricated by the seed oil industry then developed into a monstrosity by Big Pharma
- it was a deliberately perpetrated hoax from day one
- cholesterol is NOT a primary factor for cardiovascular disease
- cholesterol is an essential substance
- the liver produces 2000 milligrams of cholesterol every day. (Is your liver trying to kill you? Of course not)
- eggs and other high-nutrient density foods rich in cholesterol and saturated fats are essential to actually keeping blood levels of cholesterol down
- people with low serum cholesterol have 3 times the incidence of strokes as the general population
- truth of the lies of the original seed oil industry: Margarine, mayonnaise, cooking oil, salad dressings, and anything made with corn oil, soy oil, safflower oil, canola oil, peanut oil, or any of the rest of the vegetable oils (except olive, coconut oil, or palm oil) will accelerate the aging process in general, create catabolic damage throughout the body, and will specifically cause the oxidative damage in the blood vessel walls and in the heart that precipitates a cardiovascular crisis.
- triglycerides (the other blood fat), is the primary risk factor increasing your chance of having a heart attack or stroke
- high triglycerides comes from excess starch and sugar in the diet.
- triglycerides have a relationship to elevated insulin levels, abdominal obesity, adult onset diabetes (not cholesterol)

Cholesterol-lowering drugs:
- destroy liver function so it can't produce the 2000 milligrams it would/should. (That's why they test your liver regularly to make sure it's not being destroyed too fast.)
- are expensive! (One of Big Pharma's top money-makers along with blood pressure pills)
- have not proven to be effective in lowering cardiovascular-related deaths in general population
- Have never been tested on women exclusively (who have higher cholesterol levels on average than men)

All that being said, there has shown benefit for those MALES with a history of heart disease to take these drugs.

Sorry for the long rant (maybe I shouldn't have said anything). I tried really hard to "just believe my doctors" but the evidence I found was overwhelmingly to the contrary. I personally think that the cholesterol myth is one of the most successful propaganda machines still out there.

Kris, you are a fountain of knowledge.  JGriffin, maybe what you'd heard was that high doses of statins may cause diabetes in those who are predisposed to it.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/statins-diabetes_b_881428.html

 

cookie, how long after you stopped the statin drug did you get relief in your legs?  I have been having that problem and I did stop the statin drug about 10 days ago.  I think my legs are a little better.

 

The only reason I was taking a statin drug was because my doctor wanted my cholesterol to be extremely low because of the diabetes.  I'm taking krill oil now and that is supposed to be good for lowering cholesterol.  I'll find out in December when I have my blood work done. 

 

Sherrine 

Oh, and the doctor I had at that time told me that when my BS's were stabilized and stayed within normal range all the time that the cholesterol would go down to normal automatically.