Should I use Statin Drugs?

Last week I mentioned that I would give more information about cholesterol so this weeks blog is: Should I use statin drugs to lower my total cholesterol?

I get this question a lot.

Most people are told that they should know both of their cholesterol numbers (but they usually only know the total). Most doctors want the total cholesterol to be below 200 points. This is probably a much longer discussion so lets just get right to the conversation about statin drugs and cholesterol.

First let's address what statin drugs are? They are a classification of certain drugs used to block the absorption of dietary cholesterol by the liver. They block the fats from the food you eat. (If your triglycerides, another measurement of total fats in your body, are in the normal range then the reason your cholesterol is high is probably NOT dietary.)

I'm not saying that you shouldn't take statin drugs, that's between you and your doctor. But wouldn't you like to know a little more about why you're taking this type of drug for your health? What you are often not told is that most of your cholesterol is MADE by your liver and statins are made to block absorption of cholesterol in your liver.

Since your body needs cholesterol to make nerves and hormones, and cholesterol is metabolized in your liver, taking statin drugs makes your liver work harder. Why would you want your liver to work harder? I think this is a good question and other scientists think so too. Think of your liver like a fine automobile. The cleaner it is, the better it runs. Taking care of your liver, that is, keeping it clean so that it doesn't have to work so hard should be a top priority. A clean and well working liver works more effectively, which could mean less use of statin drugs.

There are several natural supplements that support and help metabolize the cholesterol that's hanging around, thereby lowering cholesterol levels and making your arteries happy. Everyone wins!!!!

Memory Loss: Menopause or Something Else?

Last week I began a thread on the topic of memory loss in menopause. I mentioned that some physicians believe memory loss is due in part to insomnia, as well as stress and general aging. I believe these are factors and not necessarily the root cause. This week I address the more age advanced issue that many women are afraid may happen to them: Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Last week I had two different clients, one in her early 80’s the other in her early 70’s, questioning me about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. One said that she saw a TV show on PBS about how the incidents of these two diagnoses are on the rise. She was very worried about the possible onset of either of these diseases.

One of the reasons dementia and Alzheimer’s is on the rise is the over use of cholesterol blocking agents, which I’ll address in Part 2 of this topic next week.

Just so you don’t think you are losing your mind some general memory loss does not mean you are headed for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These are very different conditions from the type of memory loss that women experience as a menopausal symptom.

So that begs the question: What does cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? Much of what I’m about to say is theory because quite frankly there is still a lot we do not know about what causes these diseases.

Basic physiology states that your brain cells need oxygen to function optimally. Oxygen is delivered by the blood and blood vessels. As you age your "pipes” or blood vessels start to lose their elasticity and "harden.” You know this happens because your blood pressure rises in response. The way you know this is you go to the doctor’s office and have our blood pressure taken. (Please be aware that there can be other reasons for your blood pressure to rise. This does not necessarily mean you need to be on blood pressure meds and this is not always a black and white situation. Please also remember this discussion is in the context of aging, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease).

Generally speaking, the Western approach to high blood pressure is almost always to take anti-hypertensive medications to bring down your blood pressure. Now, in fairness some of the drugs used will address the issue of blood vessel elasticity and some will not. You may now gather that hypertension or high blood pressure is actually a symptom and not a disease, although in Western medicine it is now characterized as a disease.

There are several herbs and vitamins that will address the issue of vessel repair. For a more detailed discussion about your personal health situation, you can call my office to schedule a consultation.

In the meantime, studies have shown that by doing brain challenges you keep the pathways open. Challenge yourself by finding number or word games that make you think in different ways and stimulate pathways that don't get worked as often. I also recommend reading books, newspapers and anything that is out of your comfort zone.

Finally, you always want to pay attention to how your mind, body and emotions are changing so you can address any issues early on.

Of all the things I've lost recently, I miss my mind the most.

Or, why did I come into this room? I came in for something, I wish I could remember what it was.

We were visiting with some friends the other day and talking about health issues. We were all female and between the ages of early forties to mid to late 50's. One friend stated that when she visited her doctor he told her that the loss of memory was unrelated to her menopause experience. He thinks that the memory loss comes from insomnia. I believe that the memory dysfunction is aggravated by the insomnia but not necessarily the cause, as any menopausal woman will likely agree.

Memory loss can be very irritating. I remember when my mother started to go through this and we would finish her sentences for her. It was quite fun for us. Now, when it's done to me I'm not near as nice as my mother was. She was always a good sport about it. Better than I am.

There are herbal supplements on the market that are marketed as memory enhancers. I caution women in various stages of menopause about taking these supplements, especially Ginko. The reason is that Ginko can have a "hot" side; that is, it can cause "heat" in women. Any woman already experiencing hot flashes or night sweats will not want to aggravate them even more.

So what can you? Well, one thing you can do to help with memory loss is to challenge yourself by playing games. I do word games and number games to figure things out and to remember sequences. It’s a great start to keeping your mind active.

To quote from Fiddle on the Roof, "I don't remember growing older." Perhaps that's a blessing.

Why should I seek advise from a health care professional when...

I have clients that say to me “I see many TV and Internet advertisements for products that will treat all of my menopausal symptoms. They say that my symptoms will disappear like magic if I just take THEIR product.” With all of these ads and their products out on the Internet, why should I seek advice and care from a professional when I can just buy the other stuff?

Well…you can try it. It might help. And it might not. Sometimes you need a combination of things to work together. And sometimes you need to take things in certain combinations for a short time and then change all together. Will the Internet tell you how what supplement to take when, how much and other supplements you should or should NOT combine their product with?

With menopause there is a "dance of the hormones" that occurs and you often need to vary when and how much to take to get to the balance point. This dance is dynamic…moving all the time.

I have this client. She has bought some of these products over the Internet and from ads in magazines. Now, she has a back room full of half full bottles of stuff that didn't work or made her worse than she did before, which can be dangerous. In the long run she wasted a lot of time and money because what she really needed were the custom formulas I helped her with. These are formulas that are designed just for her and her problems.

Sometimes at the beginning of the menopausal transition you can get by with over the counter remedies. As the journey deepens and lengthens how your symptoms are dealt with becomes much more complex and requires closer monitoring, sometimes you need subtle changes in your menopausal program on a weekly basis. You likely cannot get this over the Internet and definitely not from magazine ads.

Buying products that don't work isn't cost or time effective and more importantly you do not want to do harm that takes weeks or even months to undo. This is NOT my idea of a good investment in your health.