http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1994009/
>> In this outcomes-based trial, 2838 type II diabetic patients, none of who had suffered an acute cardiac event, and all of who had LDL levels less than 4.16 mmol/L, were randomized to atorvastatin 10 mg or a placebo. Again, in a prematurely terminated follow up period of almost four years, those randomized to the treatment group had a significantly lower incidence of cardiovascular events.
but
http://www.bozemanwellnesscenter.com/th ... tin-drugs/
>> It seems that for “preventative” use (people with no history of heart disease, cholesterol below 330 and normal HDL/Cholesterol ratios) statins do not provide any protective effect and may only increase heart disease risk. The one exception to this may be a special subgroup of the population with a genetic defect called familial hypercholesterolemia.
Better recommendations for heart protection and lowering your risk include: keeping your HDL/Total Cholesterol ratio above 24% and keeping your Triglyceride/HDL ratio below 2. This can be achieved by restricting grains and sugar from your diet, eat high quality animal-based omega-3 fats, avoid trans fats, include “heart healthy” foods in your diet (olive oil, coconut, avocados, nuts, seeds and organic grass fed meat), exercise daily, avoid smoking and drinking excessively and get plenty of rejuvenating sleep.
I seem to recall a suggestion some time ago that everyone over a certain age should be put on statins to protect from cardiovascular disease, strokes and cancer but the idea was dropped. I think due to the discovery that the downside wasn't as close to zero as first thought.