Statins - What Big Pharma Doesn't Want You to Know

I believe it was back in 2009 when I was a guest on KSCO Radio's The Wellness Hour with Bernie Owens where I discussed statin drugs and what the big pharmaceutical companies don't want us to know. Here is the audio from that show:

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Studies cited on the radio program:

If reducing cholesterol levels lowers the risk of heart disease you would assume that people who lower their cholesterol levels will live longer compared to those who do not lower cholesterol levels. The most important statistic of any study is the mortality rate – how many are alive at the end of the study.

Let’s take a close look at the mortality rate of the five studies cited by the American Heart Association.

1. Heart Protection Study (2002) Over 20,000 adults in UK age 40-80 who were at a high risk for heart disease were followed for 5 years.  They were divided into 2 groups. A placebo group and a group getting simvistatin 40mg/day. At the end of 5 years the placebo group had an 85.4% chance of survival. The statin group had an 87.1% chance of survival. That is not even a 2% difference. In fact the Doctor involved in the study wrote “Low cholesterol concentrations have been related to depression, cognitive impairment, and suppression of the immune system. Does a reduction of 1.7% in mortality balance these risks?” Funny that wasn’t mentioned by the American Heart Association.
2. Prosper (2002) 5804 adults were examined to look at the effect of pravastatin versus placebo in the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. At the end of the 3 year trial the placebo group had 89.5% alive compared to the treatment group of 89.7% alive. That is only 2 tenths of a percent difference. This is not even statistically significant. As a side note cancer was significantly increased in the treatment group.
3. ALLHAT (2003) 10,355 adults over 55 were randomized to receive either pravastatin or usual care (which means diet and lifestyle changes). At the end of 6 years 84.7% of the “usual care” group was still alive compared to 85.1% of the statin group. That is again less than 1% difference. Not statistically significant.
4. ASCOT-LLA 19,342 high blood pressure patients between 40 and 79 with risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The statin group in this case did have reduce the number of cardiac events compared to the placebo group however at the end of 3.3 years 95.9% of the placebo group were still alive compared to 96.4% of the statin group. Only ½ % difference.
5. PROVE-IT 4,162 patients who had a heart attack or angina were given either atorvastatin or pravastatin. In this study there was no placebo group. The absolute reduction in death of atorvastatin was 2.2% versus 3.2% from pravastatin.

So when we look at these studies the reduction in the risk of death was insignificant. Does this insignificant change in death rate warrant the increased risks of side effects from statins? 

Let’s look at some other studies and what the outcomes of low cholesterol compared to higher cholesterol was:

• In women of all ages and men over 55, higher cholesterol levels may actually result in a decreased mortality (Q J Med 2003;96:927-34)
• One study showed that in the elderly female, a lower cholesterol level (less than 155mg/dl) was associated with  5.2 times higher death rate as compared to a woman with a cholesterol level of 272mg/dl (Lancet 1:868-870. 1989)
• Breast cancer rates in humans that took statins were shown to increase by 1,200% (relative risk)
• JAMA reported on a study of 5,170 subjects taking a statin versus 5,185 subjects treated with "usual care" (lifestyle changes) found that the statin did reduce cholesterol however (not widely reported) the mortality rate between the 2 groups was nearly identical (so why take the statin with all its side effects) also the coronary heart disease rates were not different between the control group and the statin group (JAMA Dec 18, 2002 18;288:2998-3007)
• The Framingham study (one of the longest ongoing studies on heart disease) reports after 30 years of follow up, there is no increased overall mortality with subjects with high cholesterol for those over 50. Furthermore, researchers reported that FALLING cholesterol levels were found to increase the cardiovascular death rate - a 14% increase for every 1mg/dl drop in cholesterol. (JAMA Vol 257. No 16, 4.24.1987)
• A study of 11,563 subjects found that those with cholesterol below 160mg/dl had 49% increases in all-cause mortality as compared to those subjects with a cholesterol level over 160mg/dl. Non cardiac death increased 2.27 times in the low cholesterol group compared to the control group (Eur Heart Journal 1997 18, 52-59)
• In 977 elderly patients (>70 y/o) studied, researchers found no correlation between elevated cholesterol levels and increases in mortality from coronary heart disease, all-cause mortality or hospitalization from heart attacks or angina. (JAMA Vol 272 No 17 Nov 2, 1994)
• Studies have found a correlation with low cholesterol levels and increased risk of mortality from cancer of the lung, liver, pancreas and bone marrow as well as increased risk of death from respiratory, hepatic and digestive disease (Arch. Intern. Med 192;152. 1490=1500)
• A study of 5,491 men aged 45-68 y/o found that falling cholesterol levels from 180-239mg/dl down to less than 180mg/dl were associated with a 30% higher risk of all-cause mortality and a significant increased risk of death from cancers of the esophagus, prostate, and bone marrow (Circulation 1995;92:2396-2403)

So as seen above the overall mortality rate of taking statins compared to placebo is insignificant. Further the increased risk for mortality from other causes is increased in the lowered cholesterol group. So what exactly does statins do and why does it seem to decrease cardiovascular events?

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Toxins in Personal Care Products

What I am about to share with you is going to shock you and your entire family. You're probably going to want to watch this video over and over again and you will want to share this with everyone you know. When I am done you are going to want to check the products in your home for the ingredients we're going to talk about. For the sake of your children, grandchildren, your entire family, and your friends I urge you to watch this video in its entirety and to share it with others.

Ask yourself this: Why are there so many cancers that exist today? Breast, brain, colon, liver and prostate. Why are birth defects, kidney disease, and brain disease running rampant in our country? Childhood diseases like ADHD, ADD and others are at record levels. And in the last ten years autism and Down syndrome are up eight hundred percent. Immune toxicity such as Asthma, allergies and sinus problems are topping the charts. Our immune systems are breaking down.

Would you knowingly put your family in harm's way by using products such as shampoos, soaps, personal care products and cleansers that cause liver cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, heart palpitations, vomiting, sterility, miscarriages and a myriad of other nightmare health problems? Of course not. But the fact of the matter is that most common everyday household items, including personal care items, detergent and makeup, to name just a few contain a toxic horror chamber of acids, alcohols, poisons and preservatives.

Let's start with one example, formaldehyde. Most of us know formaldehyde is used as a preservative in mortuaries and medical laboratories. But did you know that the National Cancer Institute says that formaldehyde is also used to produce many household products? In fact formaldehyde is often used as a preservative with no discussion of the potentially dangerous and destructive effects on the human body. Imagine that you could be using something in your house or on your child's body that contains the chemical normally used in the embalming process.

Here's another example. Chemicals that end in the letters "AMINE." These chemicals are often used in lubricants, paints and cleaners. The most common are di-ethanolamine (DEA) mono-ethanolamine and tri-ethanolamine. Along with being used in corrosive products DEA related ingredients are frequently used in cosmetics.

These caustic confections are easily absorbed through skin and accumulate in body organs, even the brain. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, the National Toxicology Program and the EPA an association was found between the topical application of certain DEA related ingredients and cancer. The FDA even advises consumers who want to avoid cosmetics containing DEA related ingredients to be sure to review the ingredient statement on cosmetics labels.

Color pigments and fragrances are two other horribly unhealthy products that most people don't realize are found in literally thousands of items. For example fragrances can indicate the presence of thousands a separate ingredients including many that are toxic or carcinogenic. Most of us use these products every single day in the enclosed environments of our homes which are supposed to be safe, secure sanctuaries for our children and loved ones. If that's not enough to frighten you consider this. Parabens and phenoxyethanols in spa products and personal care products have been found in breast cancer tumors. In fact Parabens and phenoxyethanol's are hormone disruptors and may cause damage to liver and kidneys, birth defects, decrease sperm counts, and early puberty. If you haven't cleaned out your shelves and your cupboards yet there's something else you need to think about. Butylene-glycol and ethylene-glycol are colorless liquids used in antifreeze and in brake fluid.

So far so good, but here's what they don't want you to know. Propylene-glycol, often called PEG resembles ethylene-glycol in its physical properties and PEG is used extensively in foods, cosmetics, personal care, baby care and oral hygiene products. It's a skin irritant that can cause liver abnormalities, kidney damage and is directly related to cancer.

Would you knowingly put Drano in your mouth? Of course not. It's sodium hydroxide a key component to drain cleaners and is found in most toothpaste. And triclosan, which is included in numerous types of soaps, detergents, cosmetics, toothpaste and other personal care products.

Guess what? The EPA registers it as a pesticide.

There's more. According to the nonprofit organization, Environmental Working Group or EWG more than 500 products sold in the US contain ingredients that are banned in cosmetics in Japan, Canada and the European Union. What's more, nearly 100 products contain ingredients considered unsafe by the International fragrance Association.

Additional EWG research shows that 22% of all personal care products may be contaminated with the cancer-causing impurity 1,4-dioxane including many children's products. Indeed sixty percent of sunscreens contain the potential hormone disruptor oxybenzone that readily penetrates the skin and contaminates the bodies of 97% of Americans including our children.

Of course we'd all like to believe that products made for children or bearing claims like hypo-allergenic are safer choices but unfortunately it's just not true. Most cosmetic marketing claims are unregulated and companies are rarely if ever required to back them up. Even for children's products. The company can use the claim like hypo-allergenic or natural but there's no definition for these terms so they mean absolutely nothing except to try to trick people into thinking the products are safe. As a matter of fact an investigation of more than 1700 children's body care products found that 81% of those mark gentle are hypo-allergenic contain allergens or skin and eye irritants.

This is a nightmare of epic proportions but what's to be done?

Thankfully there's a solution to this frightening cornucopia of malignant ingredients and products. There is a company that has created a line of products that are not just organic but also one hundred percent certified toxic-free. A company that has come to the rescue of safety conscious consumers concerned for the health and well-being of their loved ones. A company that since 1999 has been promoting vibrant health and flourishing personal economics with scientifically backed and clinically proven products for optimal well-being. Naturally that company is Youngevity

Since 1991 experts at Youngevity have been formulating products with your health in mind. From their 90 for life healthy body program, to their mineral makeup. Now Youngevity has 100% Certified ToxicFree®, Organic and Wild-crafted botanicals in their Beyond Organic anti-aging skin care and body care products. Pure ingredients equal pure results.

Only functional botanicals and the purest organic and wild-crafted ingredients are used in Youngevity's Beyond Organics formulations. Thanks to such amazing products that will change families lives forever the global community is starting to pay attention. In fact Youngevity's mineral make up and other products have been featured numerous times at events like the Grammys, the MTV Music Awards, The Oscars and many more red carpet events.

What if you can make a living through giving?

Imagine if you could reach out in kindness every day to others showing them how to improve their health and well-being and be able to make a living doing it. What if that living could provide you with a lifestyle of financial freedom for you and your entire family while improving their health and vitality?

Well now you have the opportunity to be involved in offering these and hundreds more remarkable products to consumers while making a healthy income.

We invite you to join us for the economic ride of your life. Together we can impact every family around the globe with our 90 for life movement and our catalog of hundreds of the finest products. Imagine how your lifestyle will change since you can receive an income from every single one of them. The income generated from this movement will be staggering. It is our intent to make the world a healthier place and make plenty of millionaires in the process.

How can we make that claim?

It’s easy.  Youngevity's compensation plan is the talk of the industry because it is designed to provide quick start income for the associates that are just starting out as well as long-term residual income for the seasoned professional. This program coupled with the easiest to achieve car bonus, CEO coding bonuses, and stock options rewards puts Youngevity in a position to create huge income streams in rapid fashion. I invite you to become part of the Youngevity family. A family that represent long-term vision, stability, compassion, innovation and commitment to delivering health benefits and financial rewards to make your dreams a reality.

Keith Abell, RPh MI
Pharmacist - Wellness Consultant
Senior Executive Marketing Director
Youngevity Essential Life Sciences

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