As I’m sure you’re aware, high levels of LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) in your blood can have a damaging effect on your cardiovascular health.
For years, a type of drug called “statins” has been used to successfully lower high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
Statins are still the most effective drugs for lowering LDL cholesterol. They achieve this by inhibiting the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver.
However, nothing in life happens without some sort of consequence.
The main side effect of these drugs that I see in my office is that they increase the risk of developing muscle pain.
It is estimated that 75 per cent of even physically active people on the medication report symptoms of muscle pain.
The newest theory is that these drugs lower the ability of the muscles to produce the energy that is required for everyday activities and exercise.
The severity of the muscle pain is related to the strength and potency of the statin drug used. And, when a patient experiences muscle pain, he or she is less likely to exercise and/or be consistent with taking the drug.
Either one of these circumstances is not good for the overall health of the patient.
If you are experiencing muscle pain that is likely from the statin drugs you are taking, talk to your medical doctor to see if a balance between the dosage you take and the muscle pain you experience can be found.
Another alternative for some patients who have borderline high LDL cholesterol is to make significant lifestyle changes which can lower cholesterol naturally and without the use of statin medications. These changes include exercising more, eating healthier, losing weight, and quitting smoking.
You can get advice on how to successfully make these changes by speaking to the nutritionist at the hospital, your medical doctor, and your chiropractor.
