Cholesterol & The French Paradox

By Frank Cooper

Summarized with permission of Monahan Publishing.
All rights reserved.

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What Level of Cholesterol is Normal?

Who decided what a normal level of cholesterol is? Studies were done with a large population noting the differences in cholesterol levels by age group. The levels that were most prevalent in each group were seen as the norm. For instance, the average level for French and English males ages 44-64 years is 6.1mmol/L (235 mg/dl). However, even with this similarity in cholesterol levels, English men in this category are three times more likely to have a heart attack! Obviously, cholesterol is not the culprit.

A more accurate way to find out if your arteries are clogged is to get an internal scan. A CT scan can detect the calcium in plaque and form a three-dimensional picture of the heart and artery interior. Electron Beam Tomography (EBT) also does this, while using lower doses of radiation and providing clearer pictures. While it is best to avoid radiation, if it is necessary to find out about heart and artery blockages, these machines can provide accurate information.

Cholesterol Drugs: Are They Safe?

Statins, the drugs prescribed to lower cholesterol, were developed to stop the body's production of an enzyme called HMG-CoA, a key ingredient in making cholesterol. The original statins (1987) were derived by fermenting a certain fungus but their functions differed. Pravastatin was designed to stop the liver's production of cholesterol while Simvastatin blocked cholesterol production in the cells.

In 1994, stronger synthetic statins replaced the natural ones. These new drugs, including Crestor and Lipitor, have a different chemical structure than the original statins -- and stronger side effects too, both immediate and long-term. The author tried a number of these drugs but stopped taking them due to the side effects; Zocor interrupted his sleep while Pravachol and Mevachor caused muscle pain.

Statin drugs cause a number of serious side effects, as noted by the manufacturers and their users. For some people, these effects show up immediately upon taking the drug and, for others, they don't become obvious for a year or more. Following are some of the more obvious, along with the reasons they are caused by the drug.

• Muscle inflammation: More than 20 percent of people taking statins experience this, causing them to stop physical activities due to the pain. This is especially serious for older people who need the exercise to keep their bone density. Since the heart is a muscle, this side effect can also cause a weak heart to develop.
• Kidney damage: Because muscle cells are dying from inactivity, these are sent to the kidneys for excretion. There they cause blockages, kidney damage and eventual kidney failure. Abnormally brown urine is a sign that this is taking place and should be immediately reported to a doctor.
• Memory and cognitive damage: Since 7 percent of the brain's dry weight is cholesterol, decreasing its presence in the body is a problem for brain function. Outcomes can be memory difficulties, personality changes and depression, even in young people. Unfortunately, the effects cannot be reversed.
• Nerve damage: Since the nerves are connected to the brain, it is no surprise that side effects take place here also. The nerves most affected are those in the hands, feet, and face, with effects including burning, tingling, numbness, and weakness.

If it is absolutely necessary to take statin drugs, also take 200 mg. of Coenzyme Q10. The enzyme that statin drugs inhibits also produces Coenzyme Q10 so replacing it can reduce some of the side effects, especially for the heart which needs a high level of Coenzyme Q10 to function well.

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