Diabetes

In 2008 Dr Luca Mascitelli sent me a paper by Xia et al. [1] which showed how lowering cholesterol could stop insulin production in the human pancreatic beta-cells – a leading cause of diabetes. Here we had a biochemical explanation of the rise in diabetes associated with statin use and the science was excellent.

Adverse-Effects of Cholesterol Lowering

Could low-cholesterol affect other organs of the body?  After a review of published papers in the professional medical journals we had the answer. Yes! Lowering the cholesterol level in the bodies organs (cell membranes) by as little as 10% (molecular ratio) stopped the exchange of nutrients and other products with the blood stream. The organs’ cells shut down and the implications are devastating to health [2].

Muscles – Wastage, Aches, Mobility Issues and Kidney Failure

In muscles the cell walls, becoming deficient in cholesterol, will eventually leak causing muscle loss, mobility problems, ‘cola-coloured urine’ and ultimately kidney failure (muscle waste damaging kidney tubules – rhabdomyolysis).  These effects are warned about in the leaflets that come with statins medications. The connection between the nervous system and the muscles also begins to fail because there is not enough cholesterol, used to wrap the chemical messengers (neurotransmitters Lrp-4 and Agrin) between nerve and muscle causing aches and mobility issues. The heart is the most important muscle and so we could now understand why low cholesterol is associated with progressive heart failure.
See [2] for review details and references.

Central Nervous System

The published work of F W Pfrieger, shows how copious quantities of cholesterol  are used making memories and thought processes. The nerves (neurons) and  connections (synapses) depend on cholesterol for formation and function. The nerve fibres (axons) are protected by myelin (50% cholesterol) which needs constant supply for repair. In our review we discuss a range of problems from Dementias through behavioural change and aggression which are associated with cholesterol depletion and adverse side-effects of statin.
See [2] for review details and references.

Other problems now associated with Low-Cholesterol levels in organs are:
• Raised risk of MRSA and skin infections
• Failure of Bone maintenance (fracture risks)
• Increased Cancer risks
• Increased risk of death associated with falling cholesterol

Cholesterol is vital and the events leading up to this health crisis and contradictory advice from authorities is discussed further in my conference paper report “The High Cholesterol Paradox”

Low-Cholesterol + Elevated Blood Sugars + Statins = Very Poor Health Outcomes

1. Xia F, Xie L, Mihic A, et al. Inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis impairs insulin secretion and voltage-gated calcium channel function in pancreatic beta-cells. Endocrinology 2008; 149: 5136-45.
2. G Wainwright, L Mascitelli & M Goldstein. Cholesterol-lowering therapy and cell membranes. Stable plaque at the expense of unstable membranes? Arch. Med. Sci. 5, 289–295 (2009).

Specific links to papers and blogs are highlighted in throughout