Many patients across the US take statins for elevated LDL; however, substantial research shows that elevated LDL isn’t the real problem for heart attacks or strokes. Recent research shows that people with low LDL levels run the highest risk of suffering a fatal heart attack or stroke.
Knowing your body and what it needs is crucial to take control of your health.
Assessing Cardiovascular Risk: sd LDL vs LDL
LDL plays an essential role in the body. Suppose the bloodstream is a bustling highway system. In that case, your liver is the main distribution center that sends the delivery trucks (the LDL molecules) to transport essential supplies like cholesterol and triglycerides.
Cholesterol and triglycerides are key components for repairing and regenerating cell membranes, including nerve cells.
In fact, nerve fibers rely on cholesterol for regeneration. Cholesterol and triglycerides play an integral role in forming hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol, as well as vitamin D.
LDL is analogus to driving a large, padded delivery truck, transporting cholesterol across the body, it travels smoothly without causing any traffic jams or accidents. The padded LDL doesn’t easily get stuck in narrow streets called arteries.
A smaller, more dangerous delivery truck called sdLDL has overloaded cargo, making it unstable. Without padding on the sides, the sdLDL constantly looks for shortcuts.
Without the padding, it damages the blood vessels and gets stuck in artery walls, leading to blockages and plaques, resulting in heart attacks and strokes.
The body needs LDL for proper cell membrane function, but sdLDL causes cardiovascular diseases. However, doctors never test for sdLDL. They only test LDL’s.
When those are elevated, they form the wrong conclusion that you are at high risk for heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes.
Am I at Risk for Heart Disease?
Anyone can easily understand lipid panels if they know what to look for.
If your doctor only examines total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides and concludes that your cholesterol is high, that doesn’t mean the sdLDL is high. Many people have elevated LDL with low sdLDL.
If the doctor hasn’t run an sdLDL test, we recommend a few ways to predict if it is low despite the elevated cholesterol.
If total cholesterol and LDL are elevated, but HDL and triglycerides remain in a normal, healthy range, the sdLDL is likely low.
When we examine HDL more closely, we see that good cholesterol functions like a cleanup crew for the arteries. It patrols the bloodstream to pick up excess sdLDL from tissues and artery walls before it damages the body. The HDL transports it to the liver, which recycles the sdLDL for future use or disposes of it through the feces.
Very few doctors stay up to date on recent research. These doctors prescribe statins and when the patient begins to feel side effects such as muscle pain and fatigue, the doctor will dimiss it as result of aging. In most cases, only functional medicine doctors continuously research to learn about the deception behind cholesterol and statins.
Taking Statins and Nutrient Depletion
Statins deplete many critical nutrients. We recommend adding these nutrients to your diet or supplements if taking statins.
Coenzyme Q10 and Statins
CoQ10 depletion developed into a growing problem in the US as the pharmaceutical industry encourages doctors to lower cholesterol levels in increasing amounts.
This coenzyme and antioxidant provide essential care for energy production and mitochondria in the heart, brain, nerves, and skeletal muscles. All these systems rely heavily on CoQ10. Research shows that statins cause CoQ10 levels to plummet.
In fact, Peter Langsjoen, a prominent cardiologist, studied 20 patients with normal heart function. After six months on 20 mg of Lipitor, a low dosage, ⅔ of the patients developed significant abnormalities with the heart’s ability to relax, expand, and receive blood from the lungs and other systems.
He linked the abnormality to CoQ10 depletion. Well-documented research shows that statin-induced CoQ10 depletion causes detrimental cardiac consequences in animals and humans.
If you are on a statin, we recommend taking at least 200 mg of CoQ10 daily.
B12 and B9 Depletion
Statins wipe out B12 and B9 levels, resulting in peripheral nerve damage.
Statin users who show no signs of peripheral neuropathy should take 1000 mcg of methylcobalamin daily. We recommend 3000 mcg daily for statin users who experience symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
For B9 (folate), we recommend between 400-800 mcg daily.
If you stop taking statins and recover from peripheral neuropathy, then return to taking statins, the neuropathy will come back.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D provides essential nutrients for both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It promotes the growth and development of healthy neurons, especially in the brain’s learning centers.
Furthermore, vitamin D plays a vital role in hormone synthesis, bone health, immune function, pancreatic function, and insulin synthesis. Vitamin D depletion is one of the main reasons people taking statins develop diabetes.
We recommend taking at least 5,000 IU of vitamin D Daily. However, most of Dr. Coppola and Dr. Monteiro’s patients on statins start with 10,000 IU and increase the dose until their vitamin D level reaches at least 60 nanograms per milliliter.
They strive to keep their patients’ vitamin D levels between 60-100ng/ml.
Vitamin K2 Synthesis
Statins interfere with vitamin K2 synthesis. Low levels of K2 lead to increased artery calcification and decreased bone density.
We recommend a liquid vitamin D complex with K2, especially when taking higher dosages so you do not need to calculate appropriate K2 levels in relation to how much vitamin D your taking.
Selenium
Selenium, a critical trace material, supports thyroid health, brain function, immune system function, healthy sperm, and antioxidant defense.
Research shows statin users should take 100 to 200 mcg of selenium per day. The best way to intake selenium is through Brazil nuts. One Brazil nut contains 68 mcg of selenium, so three nuts a day meet the requirements.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine and L-Carnitine
Statin drugs cause lower L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine levels. Both molecules fulfill crucial roles in transporting fatty acids to the mitochondria to convert them into usable energy. Acetyl-L-carnitine easily crosses the blood-brain barrier to support brain and peripheral nerve health and protect the nerves from ongoing assault.
Reduced levels of either type cause cardiovascular damage, mitochondrial damage, nerve dysfunction, muscle pain, and weakness.
Studies show that statin users should take between 500 mg to 2,000 mg of acetyl-L-carnitine or L-carnitine daily.
Magnesium
Studies show that statin medications interfere with magnesium absorption while increasing the excretion of magnesium out of the body.
Magnesium supports nerve and muscle function and energy production in every cell. Low magnesium levels result in muscle cramps, nerve irritation, and damage to the myelin sheath, leading to tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, muscle tremors, seizures, and mood changes.
Research suggests that statin users take up to 400 mg of magnesium daily. We recommend magnesium glycinate.
Omega 3 Fatty Acid with Taking Statins
Statins also disrupt the metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients depend on LDL to transport them to the brain, peripheral nerves, heart, eyes, joints, immune system, and all cell membranes.
Because statins decrease LDLs indiscriminately, there is a natural decrease in the ability of Omega 3’s to make it to vital tissues.
Research shows that statin users should take between 2,000 and 4,000 mg of fish oil containing both EPA and DHA daily.
In today’s world, patients need to take their health journey into their own hands. That’s why we give you all the tools and objective science to navigate the rough waters of a daily healthcare system and regain control of your health.
Struggling with Neuropathy?
Dr. Coppola and Dr. Monteiro’s dedication to combating neuropathy is deeply personal, stemming from Dr. Monteiro’s experience with her mother’s severe chemo-induced neuropathy. This personal journey fueled their commitment to develop a systematic, drug-free approach to reversing neuropathy.
They founded the San Antonio Neuropathy Center, where they’ve successfully treated over 18,000 patients over the past two decades. Their acclaimed book, “Defeat Neuropathy Now in Spite of Your Doctor,” along with their neuropathy product line, stands as a testament to their expertise and innovative solutions.
Recognized as leading neuropathy specialists in America, Dr. Coppola and Dr. Monteiro offer a beacon of hope for those diagnosed with this challenging condition. If you or a loved one is seeking relief from neuropathy, reach out to us at 844 400-0101 or email us through our contact page – Click here.
Your path to healing can start today.
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