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Type 2 How do I say no to statins

WaliAhmed

WaliAhmed

Newbie
Messages
3
Location
Islamabad Pakistan
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
I know you're not doctors but I'm hoping someone can help me :)
I was on statins from about Oct 15 until November 16 as my cholesterol was high. I stopped because the numbers were better and I didn't want to be on them having found out what they can do - and can't! I understand they can increase the risk of diabetes - is that right? Apart from anything else.
 
Hi , Of course we cannot give medical advice, however I can tell you how following a very low carb diet affected my own cholesterol levels.

If you look at my signature below you can see how much cholesterol has been made up over a series of blood tests over a year on LCHF. On diagnosis my doctor wanted to put me on statins. I refused.Instead I moved to an LCHF diet , real foods only ( i.e. therefore low vegetable oils as well) . I ended up eating around 60% fats - mainly meat, fish, cheese, butter and some olive oil.

The results have been remarkable on my cholesterol levels and I now fall in the ideal range for everything. Total cholesterol, high HDL, Low Triglycerides, good HDL/ total cholesterol ratio and LDL to HDL. I also have my apoA / Apo B levels tested ( the very small LDL ) also now ideal.

My doctor no longer debates cholesterol with me. The fact that LCHF reliably improves all of the figures outlined above , is pretty well known if you google it .

Ultimately your doctor works for you, not the other way round, therefore you have every right to choose what drugs you wish to take. What is very clear is that you can change your cholesterol markers simply by changing your diet if you choose to do so.

Google Dave Feldman - on google to see various experiments about how easy it is to change LDL markers over a matter of days
 
Hi. My cholesterol is ok for a non diabetic but my DN explained that they like it lower for diabetics to help protect the kidneys. I also have Atherosclerosis - diabetes can cause the deposits to break up and statins help stabilise them. I also didn’t want to take statins and figured that if I keep my diabetes under control my stroke/heart attack risk would be similar to that of a non diabetic. Then if I can lower my cholesterol by diet I can help prevent further damage.

I read that soy products can help lower cholesterol as can plant sterols. After duscussing it with my DN (who is brilliant, we work together on my health problems rather than her just telling me what to do) I am trying to include these foods every day to try and reduce cholesterol without taking statins. I have porridge made with soya milk for breakfast, and a Benecol drink (no added sugar ones) before my evening meal. I always use olive oil or rapeseed oil for cooking and dressings, and eat salmon, tuna (fresh not canned) or mackerel three times a week. Lots of veg (only small portions of the carb/sugar heavy ones) and not too much meat as eating lots of protein also raises blood glucose. My cholesterol is is improving - less LDL and more HDL so the ratio is better, and my triglycerides are going down.
 
If you google the NHS advice on statins it says that they can raise blood sugar levels for some people, about 10% if I remember correctly.
The leaflet that comes in the statins pack also says that statins can increase your blood sugar levels.
It is up to you whether you choose to take them or not.
 
WaliAhmed said:
I know you're not doctors but I'm hoping someone can help me :)
I was on statins from about Oct 15 until November 16 as my cholesterol was high. I stopped because the numbers were better and I didn't want to be on them having found out what they can do - and can't! I understand they can increase the risk of diabetes - is that right? Apart from anything else.
Click to expand...
I was on statins for a while until I came off them due to side effects however in that period my Hba1c rose from 48 to 54. Ultimately the decision is yours whether or not you take them - read all the information that you can and then decide
 
Last edited:
WaliAhmed said:
I know you're not doctors but I'm hoping someone can help me :)
I was on statins from about Oct 15 until November 16 as my cholesterol was high. I stopped because the numbers were better and I didn't want to be on them having found out what they can do - and can't! I understand they can increase the risk of diabetes - is that right? Apart from anything else.
Click to expand...
What were your "high" and "better" cholesterol numbers? It is thought nowadays that low triglycerides and high HDL are more important than low LDL and total cholesterol.
 
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