For over a decade I’ve been reviewing all the research I can find on sugar, fats and cholesterol. This has involved writing review papers in bio-science and medical journals, and presenting at conferences and giving talks. I studied bio-chemistry in the 1960s and revived my interest to look at age related illnesses and related medical issues. This interest was sparked off by a 6 day period of taking statins, and realising very quickly that something was seriously amiss with this ‘preventative’ approach to my health.
I am not clinically trained and do not to advise individuals about their ills. However, I do try to help people, when asked, to become more aware of the biological science and principle behind age related illnesses as we move from maturity to seniority! Three themes keep recurring in this bio-science adventure: sugar damage, low-fat damage and statin damage.
Statin users who ask me questions are often concerned about what they have read and maybe they have started to feel unwell since commencing medication. To those who have no pre-existing illness and are taking statins to keep themselves  well (like I did some years ago) I ask “ Why are you taking a medication that makes you feel unwell and has only a dubious statistical link with reducing heart attacks?”  When I was offered statins I was told there would be a 30% reduction in risk over the next 10 years. I was not told that the absolute risk was in fact reduced from 4% to 3% (1 % reduction compared with 3% produced the dramatic figure 30%). This is not impressive given the real toxicity and documented risks that statins carry! Starting from a position of health, over the 6 days I spent taking on 40mg Simvastatin, I started with 5 new disturbing ailments.  My old 1960s biochemistry books showed these were all likely linked to cholesterol and lipid deficiencies in my body. I stopped taking them and recovered fully within a week. Day 7 is still in the packet which I keep with my notes.

Sometimes when giving talks I meet a statin user who is convinced that they owe their life to statins . The conviction normally comes straight from their medical advisors, who have been adamant about the claimed benefits. So I become curious about the impact on their general health. Taking care not prejudice them I enquire about general wellness, and listen carefully for comments about muscle aches, exercise tolerance, joints aches etc. Quite often I have collected a list known statin side-effects, which they understand to be “expected at my age”. If spouses are present it can be revealing to get a second slightly less subjective opinion, especially on mood and behavioural changes. The crucial question is how have these things changed since starting statins. Quite often many other medications have been added to deal with what we know to be predictable effects of not only statins but also elevated blood sugar and inadequate amounts of natural fats in the diet.  
If they are healthy or concerned about the statin’s effects I suggest asking their GP for a ‘Statin Holiday’ after which they can assess the impact the statins were having.  A supervised withdrawal might be advisable. A ‘holiday’ can help with in assessing other unpleasant medications too!
Normally I get one of two reactions when talking to medical practitioners. A small minority are too busy to think clearly about it and resent the implied criticism of their prescribing to guidelines. Thankfully the majority of cardiologists and GPs feel informed and are keen to undertake further reading. They’ve often puzzled over the patients’ responses and intolerance toward statins.
All too often the statin toxicity alarm bells do not sound until some permanent harm has accumulated.
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