Cholesterol -- Alternatives to Statins (Myositis)

[LR23]

My father needs to lower his cholesterol, but statins cause him significant muscle problems (Myositis) and elevated Creatine Kinase CPK and Aldalase.  His symptoms resolve and tests return to normal when the statins are stopped.

Are there any good alternatives to statins that will not cause him this side effect?

Thanks for your help.

Bryan

[skypeople]

I have been working on list of foods one can consume to help lower cholesterol if anyone is interested.

[dolfnlvr]

There are some natural cholesterol lowering strategies that may help, though they will not be as significant or as quick as statin therapy.  Research (real scientific research) has shown that eating a bowl of oatmeal every day lowers cholesterol noticeably within 7 days and continues to lower cholesterol levels over time.  Don't ask me why...I sort of forget the mechanism, and think it was kind of mysterious even to the scientists, but it really does work.  My father is on a regimine of oatmeal breakfasts and has seen a SIGNIFICANT drop in his LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.

Research has also shown that a diet with a low carbohydrate content (“low-carb” diet) significantly lowers blood cholesterol levels while promoting a high level of satiety.  Common cholesterol lowering foods include plant sterols found in vegetables; nuts (almonds); seeds and legumes, which interfere with intestinal absorption of cholesterol; soy protein, which decreases hepatic production of cholesterol and reduces blood levels of LDL-cholesterol; and soluble fiber (good old oatmeal), which binds intestinal bile acids, stopping them from being recycled into cholesterol. After 1 month, the group that was using a diet of these foods showed a cholesterol reduction of 28%, which was comparable to that in the statin/low-fat-diet group.

You may ask your doctor for a referral to a nutritionist for help in preparing a cholesterol lowering diet.  You may find that with this boost your father can come off of a statin protocol, or at least lower his dosage considerably.

Good luck.

[Momto3]

Hi Bryan,

I can't help you with the answer, but I can tell you where you might get an answer.  Try posting your question to Dr. Kirksey on the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention forum.  You can find the link above under "forums" or below, to the right on your screen.  This is a great question and beside your father, I'm sure other people would benefit from the answer.

Connie