Rog, I saw the other thread you started today, so had a look at your other posts to understand better where you are in this process. We're similar in age and both new to low carb. I started the LCHF diet in mid-February. And I also was pressured to start a statin, so made a serious effort to learn what I could about diabetes, cholesterol, and statins. This is a long post, but my hope is that at least some of it will be helpful to you.
When I read this study published in 2012, "Progression of Vascular Calcification Is Increased With Statin Use in the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial (VADT)", I was able to make my decision. I think you'll find this overview of the study of interest...
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of statin use on progression of vascular calcification in type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and abdominal aortic artery calcification (AAC) was assessed according to the frequency of statin use in 197 participants with T2DM.
RESULTS After adjustment for baseline CAC and other confounders, progression of CAC was significantly higher in more frequent statin users than in less frequent users (mean ± SE, 8.2 ± 0.5 mm3 vs. 4.2 ± 1.1 mm3; P < 0.01). AAC progression was in general not significantly increased with more frequent statin use; in a subgroup of participants initially not receiving statins, however, progression of both CAC and AAC was significantly increased in frequent statin users.
CONCLUSIONS More frequent statin use is associated with accelerated CAC in T2DM patients with advanced atherosclerosis.
The role of statins in prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is well established. Despite the wide use of statins, however, calcific atherosclerosis is accelerated in T2DM and is associated with increased risk of CVD morbidity and mortality in this population (1). The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of statin use on progression of vascular calcification in T2DM participants with advanced atherosclerosis.
Here's the link so you can print and read the entire study...
http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/35/11/2390.full
I also went onto the Amazon website in the UK to find a book that explains how atherosclerosis is caused by inflammation, not cholesterol, and that is also supportive of the LCHF diet. This one from 2012 was written by an American cardiologist, and has been a great help to me. Of the six books on heart disease I've surveyed over the last couple of months, this one has been the most helpful...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/..._rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577048427&pf_rd_i=desktop
The Great Cholesterol Myth: Why Lowering Your Cholesterol Won't Prevent Heart Disease: and the Statin Free Plan That Will is a very good book that is written in easily understood language that includes references. It explains the role of diabetes in heart disease, also how inflammation, not saturated and monounsaturated fats or cholesterol causes heart disease. It also explains what the different lab tests are and provides specific recommendations on diet, nutritional supplements, and medications. I encourage you to read it one chapter at a time, pencil in hand, so you can underline key points and write notes in the margin.
And here's a book written by a UK author that has chapters that I think will help you interpret the results of your lipid panel - (perhaps you could check it out from the library)...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cut-Your-Ch...tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1433996846&sr=1-4
I think, if you read these two books, you'll be able to make a more informed decision regarding your diet and whether or not to take a statin.
My experience with the LCHF diet thus far has been positive. I was able to reduce my blood glucose levels within a month. My A1C was 9.9% in February, 5.5% in May. My cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL remained unchanged between February and May, but my HDL moved into the normal range, so there was a slight improvement. My hsCRP-Cardio result was bad - (I'm at "high risk" for heart disease, meaning I likely have atherosclerosis of the arteries).
So I'm continuing on the LCHF diet, testing my blood glucose 4 to 8 times a day, and taking a few thoughtfully chosen, high quality nutritional supplements: a multi-vitamin & mineral supplement (that includes all the B vitamins and 2,000 IU vitamin D3), vitamin C, magnesium citrate, potassium citrate, CoQ10, cod liver oil (for the vitamin A), vitamin K2 (MK-7), fish oil, Meriva, and an "eye protection" formulation. I'm taking many of these supplements specifically to improve my heart and artery health.
After reading, thinking about, and practicing the LCHF diet for four months, these are the conclusions I've come to...
I need to have carbs, fat, and protein at every meal.
Carbs (and protein) are where I'm getting the most nutrition: vitamins, minerals, other nutrients, and in the case of the carbs, fiber too. Fiber helps with digestion, and also with maintaining a healthy gut flora. Studies show that "higher consumption of fruit and veg is associated with a reduced risk of mortality from just about every cause, including heart disease and stroke."...
http://drsarahbrewer.com/2015/04/15/why-5-a-day-and-not-more/
Fats provide the calories I need (now that I've eliminated sugar, grains, starchy vegetables, and legumes from my diet; eliminating these carbs will bring both my blood glucose and my triglyceride levels down). They also provide needed fatty acids, take away feelings of hunger, and improve the particle size of my LDL and HDL cholesterol.
Protein is where I get more vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. And it helps me maintain my muscle mass.
Carbs are non-starchy vegetables including green, leafy salads with a vinaigrette dressing - (2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar). Fats are primarily saturated and monounsaturated fats - (butter, extra virgin olive oil, unrefined coconut oil, and avocado). Protein is primarily meat, poultry, fish, eggs, a variety of raw nuts, and hard cheeses.
There needs to be a balance of these macronutrients. I believe it's important to eat whole, plant based foods throughout the day with the fat and protein. I say all this because I worry that those new to the LCHF diet become overly focused on the fat and protein, and as a result may not be getting a enough vegetables (and berries) in a variety of colors each week.
@Rog from what I've read, your blood glucose levels are excellent and you're losing weight. That's great!
I know the cholesterol is a bit of a worry right now, but I think after you get a print out of your lab results and you read these two books, you'll have a better understanding and appreciation of the progress you're making.
It might also help to get your cholesterol checked every 3 - 6 months for now so you can make adjustments to your diet if your cholesterol begins trending up rather than down. But that's a bit of a tricky business because cholesterol levels go up while you're actively losing weight on the LCHF diet, so it's better to have your cholesterol checked when you're maintaining your weight, not losing. In fact, your recent lipid panel may have been influenced by your recent weight loss.
