11
Dec
2008
Posted by Brian Mitchell as lipitor
Lipitor is effective at lowering cholesterol but at what cost? It is very expensive and has a long list of side effects. These include,chest pain, malaise, muscle pain, pancreatitis, insomnia, impotence and peripheral neuropathy just to name a few and there are many many more. Lipitor belongs to a class of drugs called statins. Statins work by inhibiting the body’s ability to produce cholesterol. Your body needs cholesterol. It is a vital cell wall component and the basic precursor for many of our hormones like testosterone and estrogen. It is even the basic building block of our vitamin D. More importantly, the mechanism by which lipitor inhibits cholesterol formation may also interfere with countless other physiological functions important to the body. It is likely that this cholesterol production inhibition is causing collateral physiological damage which is resulting in these large number of side effects. Basically, lipitor is running rampant through the physiologies of trusting, brainwashed consumers often causing them permanent damage.
Nevermind that we now know cholesterol levels are completely inadequate at predicting the likelihood of a heart attack(and are not the primary cause). How much is it worth to have muscle pain, be unable to sleep and unable to attain or maintain an erection, among other things? We may not be able to answer that value question but the pharmaceutical industry certainly can. Lipitor had 13 billion dollars in sales in 2006. That is how much it is worth to the company Pfizer that manufactures lipitor. And therein may lie the only real value to be ascribed to lipitor;making money for the drug companies.
Why is this? Here in the U.S., an elaborate scheme of media manipulation, control, and financial incentive has been set forth to deliberately and systematically deceive the public into thinking that only pharmaceutical drugs can treat disease. Not only is this reckless and greedy, but it is simply untrue.
45 Responses
Jessie
December 26th, 2008 at 5:07 am
1cholesterol and vitamins…
I personally agree with your comments, but there will always be some people who may not feel the same….
domainmaster
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:09 pm
2hello…
usefull…
Vicki Zerbee
March 21st, 2009 at 6:07 pm
3Good article to address the fact that meds do produce side effects. While there is a definite need for medications for life threatening diseases, meds can have side effects. There are many reasons to consider natural supplements including to address some health concerns that can benefit when you consistently take them, and also to help address the side effects of the meds you might be taken. For instance, since statin drugs deplete coenzyme Q10 in your body, a supplement will help replenish. Fish oil has many benefits for heart health and inflammation in the body. There are pharmaceutical grade nutrition supplements available that really do provide measurable benefits in the form of better health.
Roxanne
March 24th, 2009 at 9:41 am
4It makes you wonder - is it really worth the risk when there are so many safer things you can do. Unfortunately, people listen to their doctors who are telling them to take these drugs. Many people see their doctor as a god. They just do what they are told. Sad. But true.
Bill Tessore
April 19th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
5Excellent post! It also bears mentioning that the pharmaceutical industry at large contributes about 90% of the FDAs budget, & that same benefactor provides doctors with a host of perks & gifts in exchange for referring patients to their products. (i. e.: all expense paid vacations disguised as informational seminars, lavish accommodations & travel, even discrete & attractive escorts)
Truely sickening.
I appreciate you,
Bill Tessore
Bill Tessore’s Blurbs
Brenda Bunney
April 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
6It is interesting that several years ago there were no commercials for pharmaceutical drugs on TV, Who exactly are they market their products to anyway? Why do they need to market their products to the general public? Prescription drugs are prescribed to a certain group of people AFTER a visit to a doctor, so this shows exactly how greedy the drug companies have become. They want us to go in and ask for the pharmaceutical drugs from our doctors. With all the warnings they talk about on TV….. oh my gosh…do we date take anything?
Allison Searvern
April 21st, 2009 at 10:09 pm
7The problem is not only with the pharma companies. The problem also lies with the doctor who doesn’t spend time learning what he needs to and therefore gets “educated” on which drugs to prescribe from the pharma companies themselves. The problem also lies with the people who take the drugs. They want the quick fix. They actually believe they are entitled to it and thing their government should supply it, not thinking who will be paying for it as if they cared about that small part.
Jim Hickey
April 21st, 2009 at 11:13 pm
8Great post and interesting comments. It almost seems like the medical profession is quick to jump on the pharmaceutical bandwagon for new drug treatments before even understanding the causes. Not only that but it appears there is a growing push for marketing synthetic drugs to treat existing cases rather than trying to find natural alternatives and in some corners a growing push to curtail natural solutions to health problems. These issues are virtually mind-boggling …..
Julie McClelland
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:41 am
9Unfortunately the rule of thumb for most GP’s when we turn up with our ailments is to produce the ‘fix’ that the Doc deems we require. If we wanted an alternative approach or medical analysis we would go to our Naturopaths, Osteopath or other Natural Practitioner.
Interesting information, thank you for bringing it to light.
Biocutisblog
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:07 am
10I don’t think we can blame the drug companies for marketing their product - that’s what businesses do; try and sell their product even if the consumer doesn’t NEED it. I think it’s the responsibility of the doctors (the ones who vow to care for us) and the customers/patients to be better informed. The age of being naive of our own health and what exactly we are putting in our bodies as long passed.
Richard Dennis
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:03 am
11Every prescription drug targets one measurable marker in your body. Statins target cholesterol level. One big problem, as with all drugs, is that statins affect lots of other markers, too. Not just cholesterol level - statins have a systemic effect. That’s why you get all the side effects.
Statins lower “bad” cholesterol by limiting your liver’s ability to create ALL cholesterol … including “good” cholesterol and critical hormones your body makes from cholesterol. So you get one good, measurable positive effect. And your body gets trashed in a hundred other ways.
Rita
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:10 am
12I don’t think people know of an alternative. When faced with heart disease, you do what the doctor tells you to do. And, it’s scary to to move to something new, especially when your doctor is promoting statins. It’s your life that’s on the line. You’ve got to be able to trust the doctor.
So from your professional perspective, what is the best alternative?
Sydney Johnston
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:14 am
13All drugs - ALL drugs - have side effects and most of them have effects that can be quite serious. There are so many NATURAL ways to lower cholesterol - like losing weight or tying on your walking shoes - that there is no need to take dangerous drugs. Especially since, as you point out, cholesterol isn’t a predictor of a heart attack.
There are only two reasons that folks would take these drugs:
1. Lack of education and not knowing alternatives
2. Laziness - it’s just easier to take a drug than make lifestyle changes
It’s always wise to consider natural alternatives first. After all, if they don’t work the patient can always turn to drugs later.
Sheri
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:24 am
14I have heard so many people going on Lipitor to lower their cholesterol. What they need to do is change their diet instead. I have had high cholesterol for years and now I am told I have more good cholesterol then bad. What ever that means…. I am not a pill taker. I know so many people find out they have a medical problem, and immediately put on medication. Then they end up taking a handful of pills for one reason or another. Just think of what they are doing to their body from all the side effects per pill. Crazy!
Dianne Hansen
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:07 pm
15Brian! I couldn’t agree with you more. The statin drugs are useful only to the big pharma companies. For the rest of us, they’re truly harmful. Lipitor, specifically, is absolutely harmful.
Most recently, I’ve had dangerous symptoms of heart malfunctioning. I’ve figured it out. For years I’ve been plagued with acidosis and now it’s come home to me how dangerous acidosis is….it leads to raised cholesterol and heart troubles. Tests showed my cholesterol was raised. I didn’t take any drugs, though.
You might be interested to know, Brian, that after regulating my pH with alkaline water, my heart was able to receive the much needed magnesium (alkalinity allows my supplements and my food to be absorbed properly and nourish my heart, etc). Whew!
If only people knew the basics of regulating their own bodies, we wouldn’t have the pharmaceutical companies in such positions of power…
Davin - The Viral Marketing Sanctuary
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
16Isn’t that the truth Brian. In the near future I hope more people wise up to these pharmaceutical companies crap and boycott tons of their products. I agree some drugs are very beneficial and needed for many ailments, but at the same time, taking advantage of people and creating more health problems is completely unethical at best.
Ferny
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:36 pm
17Wow. My mother started taking cholesterol meds recently. What would you recommend for her? I’m assuming that having high cholesterol levels can’t be good for you either. no?
Kim Bolte
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:16 pm
18Sometimes when I watch television and I see these drug commercials I wonder how people can take these drugs after they see the commercial. At some point in the commercial the announcer lists the side effects i.e. “This drug may cause” and then he goes on and on.
What the heck are people thinking?
Great article keep them coming.
Andreas Guibeb
April 26th, 2009 at 6:06 am
19Brian you are so right - prevention is always better than cure - and natures natural solutions are always better than articficial chemical solutions - especially in the light of the fact that side effects of pharmaceutical chemicals are only known years after we have been consuming them.
In most cases the pharmaceutical industry even suppresses contrarian research results to be known because of the massive economic interest they have in the continued sales of compounds hazardous for our health.
But sadly the examples of alcohol abuse, substance abuse and pharmaceutical product abuse wether under peer influence or sleek tobacco, alcohol and drug industry marketing practices shows that humanity seldom listens to reason and never learns from the experiences of others till the same predicatable disastrous consequences knocks on their doors.
Bill Tessore
April 26th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
20Not only is it untrue, but there is a great deal of “backend” money to be made by Pfizer when their consumers experience these various side effects (toxic responses) in the form of additional drugs to “treat” the newly formed maladies.
I appreciate you,
Bill Tessore
BillTessore.com
Kalona
April 27th, 2009 at 9:32 am
21Thanks for this valuable info, Brian. I have an immediate family member and a close friend who both experienced serious repercussions from taking Lipitor several years ago. It seems that the Doctor office rule of thumb is to band-aid the problems with medications instead of trying to fix the real problem, such as with diet changes. But that wouldn’t put more money into the doc’s pocket, now would it? Thanks again ~
DuncanM
April 28th, 2009 at 8:38 am
22I agree with what you’re saying I know a couple of people who have taken statins and both had side affects.
Even if you accept that a higher than normal cholesterol level isn’t desirable it seems to me that far too much importance is placed on averages by the medical profession.
By their nature averages may include very high and very low variations and to a degree distort the overall picture with the result that supposed safety margins are often too closely drawn.
Gregg
April 28th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
23“Sorceries” comes from the Greek word “pharmekia” where we get our word “pharmacy”.
The use has grown exponentially in this day and age… Unfortunately I can’t give specific advice on the lowering Cholesterol but always source out natural remedies when possible.
Rhonda Wudarczyk
April 30th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
24Okay, when I used to watch TV and heard a commercial on this or any drug that is widely prescribed, I always waited to listen to the end of the commercial when that voice very quickly tells you all the side effects, no way in heck would I recommend something that has a huge list of possible side effects. It amazes me that people fall for it. But there are those that will always trust the doctors, to a certain point I do understand. I know doctors are very important. But when I take one drug and then I have to take three more to counter act that one, not worth it!
Another great article!
Jon Clayton
May 1st, 2009 at 7:29 am
25Brian, Lipitor , although it is effective, has some very dangerous side effects. This is at the crux of the problem. We address one issue, but we create several more issues with each drug we introduce into our bodies. The is not a good way to deal with our health. This is a great post as well as an excellent and insoghtful blog. Thanks!
patrick
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:08 pm
26heart disease is long term vitamin C deficiency. its about connective tissue and your bodies ability to repair “damage’ . 5-10 grams (1 gram = 1000 mgs) per day or more is not harmful, look it up! theres lots of evidence, get objective!
Ryan English@Hemorrhoids Information
May 3rd, 2009 at 10:38 pm
27Do pharmaceutical companies really deceive people just to make money? If this is indeed true, then consumers should not limit their knowledge on the drugs they take from the manufacturers only. We should do our own research. There are natural ways to lower cholesterol levels in the body like having proper diet and regular exercise. From what I’ve read, I will now opt to do it the not-so-easy way than getting rid of cholesterol instantly and later face the consequences.
Debra Berndt
May 4th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
28As a hypnotherapist, I am always promoting natural remedies if possible for better health. Some pharmaceuticals serve as a short-cut to health but what they really do is mask a deeper issue. Eat lots of fruits and veggies, exercise, meditate, reduce your stress and your health will improve naturally.
The problem is that the doctors are given incentives by the drug companies to push their product which I believe they should make a law against. it is unethical and irresponsible. Hopefully we will see a new wave of body-mind solutions that will become the norm in our near future.
Thanks for bringing this to the attention of others.
Lisa Ray
May 4th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
29I agree with the commentor that said that some of the blame must lie with doctors. They are the ones who prescribe the medications and have the most knowledge about the potential sideeffects. However, I don’t agree with her assessment that patients are also to blame because they want a quick fix. If your cardiologist says you have high cholesterol and prescribes you a drug to reduce it, most people are going to trust the cardiologist’s recommendation.
Terri Stallcop
May 5th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
30Very excellent article on the benefits of cholesterol. We absolutely do not need statins. As a cardiac nurse, I can tell you that the side effect of muscle pain doesn’t describe the actual debilitation some have with these drugs. They can not climb stairs without terrible pain, they can’t get up when they are on the floor or in the tub. It’s like terrible arthritic pain. Thanks for raising awareness.
ian harper
May 9th, 2009 at 10:13 am
31keeping up with knowledge for anyone these days is hard with the over flow of information. its down to each person to be informed about any decision that need to be made. this requires effort but worth it.
Steve DeVane
May 13th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
32Sadly, I think you’re right. I sometimes wonder if the side effects of some medicine aren’t worse than the ills they’re supposed to be treating. Often it becomes a vicious cycle. A patient takes medicine for one thing. Then when the side effects pop up, the doctor prescribes more medicine with more side effects. I remember my grandfather having to take about six or seven pills a day. I now wonder if any of them were really needed.
rod fra
May 13th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
33i totally agree as a fitness trainer i am blown away why so many people seek the “so-called” quick fix offered by the money hungry pharmaceuticals who in their very nature do not provide cures otherwise they would be out of business.
health & fitness is a life-time process no quick fixes & it doesn’t get any easier from day-to-day. hopefully it gets enjoyable when one begins to feel the benefits of proper diet, exercise & stretching.
anything worth while takes effort & effort with discipline equals the required outcome.
so please people take more notice of your own body as it is continually giving you signs that must not go unnoticed
stay strong, take care & all the best
rod fra
lisa harrison
May 14th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
34Thank you for this. I feel it points out one of the many myths created by the medical and pharma industries to incite fear and confusion in people, in the name of profit. Cheers
Rusty - Fitness Black Book
May 15th, 2009 at 12:21 am
35Brian,
Excellent post. I actually used to help medicinal chemists find jobs within the pharmaceutical industry. The sad thing is that they have found amazing lead compounds that could be developed to cure many of our problems, but companies won’t pursue this if profit is high enough.
Have you ever been to Mark Sisson’s site? I am a big fan of his work on talking about cholesterol and heart health. He advises a “paleo” way of eating that optimizes our health. Check out photos of this guy! He looks amazing and is 55+ years old.
Rusty
Mark Justice
May 16th, 2009 at 8:01 am
36Great article! I recently went to the doctor and had my cholesterol checked and it was marginally elevated (6 points). My Dr. put me on crestor, another statin, for life. The interesting thing was that she never mentioned trying diet or excercise. Just jump on the drug. I did a little research and quit taking the meds and changed doctors. I made a slight change to my diet and it came down by itself.
Nora
May 16th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
37How are we ever going to get people to understand that there are side effects to every drug? The solution is education through informative articles like yours. Thank you!
Julie
May 19th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
38wow, nice discussion.it seems you hit the nail! to say the truth, i am fullof all those vitamins, nutritienst, “natural” this and that. The best way is to avoid the bad cholesterol and not to try lower it later…
Bob H
May 20th, 2009 at 9:58 am
39I couldn’t agree more - the health industry is sometimes so eager to make money on fixing one thing, losing sight of complete picture.
As far as cholesterol go, wasn’t it recently that they also found that this is genetically determined? In other words, with a certain set of genes your cholesterol may be perfectly “normal” although the health industry would like to claim otherwise.
Scientific, progress is a great thing of course. But as new discoveries are made you sometimes get scared as you realize how little we have known in the past.
Teo Graca
May 21st, 2009 at 11:48 am
40I agree, but things are still better off than they used to be. You may find some health suggestions from the 1920’s about how rubbing plutonium on your teeth was supposed to be a good thing. We have many more safeguards in place than there used to be, but we are not where we should be in terms of protection from bad products or advice. The government has been in bed with big business for so long that it is hard to get anything but propaganda from the special interest groups that control the FDA and FTC, so we have to find the real information elsewhere.
Frank Larrabee
May 23rd, 2009 at 4:56 am
41I just found out I had high cholesterol and was given a prescription for a statin drug.
All those side effects, scary. Looks like I’ll be looking real close at my alternatives.
Shelly Bishop
May 23rd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
42How true. They are effective for lowering cholesterol, BUT they also, remove the CoQ10 from the heart which damages the heart. You must replace the CoQ10 with a supplement if you continue to take the drug or you will have alot of damaging effects
Debi Talbert
May 26th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
43At what cost is so right. All the side effect warnings have begun to make me think before I agree to take a medication. Thanks for being willing to put this out there for people to think about. You only have one body, yes it has a “lifetime” warranty; however replacement parts are hard to come by.
Stephen Bolin
May 26th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
44A fact that most doctors won’t admit is they get more of their medical information from their pharmaceutical reps than they get from their own peer medical journals. When the pharmaceutical industry has more control over our health than our doctors do, we are going to have big problems.
Research has been done all over the world to find a connection between blood cholesterol levels and diet There are hundreds of examples of different cultures that consume a much higher amount of animal and milk fat and their cholesterol levels are much lower than in the USA.
As this article points out, cholesterol levels are totally inadequate for predicting a heart attack. I read an article years ago that pointed to pasteurized, homogenized milk being the culprit. It seems there is an X factor in the milk that cuts and scores the arterial walls, and cholesterol comes to the rescue and “patches” up the cuts. The problem arises when too much cholesterol builds up and restricts blood flow. Now it is NOT the cholesterol that is the problem. The problem is a dairy product, that is a far cry from what it is in it’s natural state. Whole unpasteurized, un-homogenized milk has no X-factor in it.
What is alarming is there is never an investigation into the pharmaceutical company’s research until thousands of people start dying, as happened with the arthritic anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx.
Thanks for an interesting and enlightening article.
MoxKirby
May 27th, 2009 at 9:09 am
45My wife and I always make fun of the drug commercials with those long lists of side effects. It’s sad that the drug companies prey on peoples fears, and often cause more problems which in turn need more drugs to fix.
‘Ask your doctor about blahblahblah, side effects may include instant death, swine flu, and in some rare instances, mild uncontrollable twitching.’
I think eating cheerios can still reduce cholesterol (at least compared to having bacon and eggs for breakfast), maybe doctors should hand out trial size boxes of cereal.
I’m not saying that modern medicine is all bad, but it’s definitely a big money business, and you should always get a second professional opinion and do some research yourself before beginning any new medication.
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