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Posted by Don Klipstein on November 16, 2009, 9:22 pm
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I want to add personal experiences of myself and of a close friend.
<SNIP previously quited material>
>I initially went on Lipitor with a significant drop in cholesterol and
>triglycerides (low 200's down to about 140 on both). After two years,
>I switched to simvistatin (generic Zocar) in an attempt to save
>money. After about a year, I began having significant muscle problems
>(inflammation, swelling / stiffness throughout my arms. Within a few
>months thereafter, I could barely move my wrists. The cholesterol
>numbers went up to 184 & triglycerices to 215 when tested after 16
>months. I then stopped taking the simvisatin. Without a statin, my
>doctor strongly advised losing 20-30 pounds (6 ft / 215 lbs). It's been
>six months and with physical therapy, I've regained perhaps 90% of my
>arm & wrist motion. I've lost 15 lbs (increased protein / significantly
>reduced carbs) . My triglycerides & cholesterol are now lower than when
>I was taking the simvastatin, although admittedly not as low as with the
>lipitor, but below the 200 threshold. And for the record, the "simple"
>blood test did NOT clearly predict the liver problems caused by the
>simvisatin. In my case, the problem was severe, but the increased ALT,
>AST values only went from middle range to slightly above the upper limit
>of normal. The CPK value remained on the low end of normal.
>
>The crap was slowly killing me. Furthermore, any savings with the
>generic quickly disappeared considering the cost of doctor appointments,
>extra blood tests & therapy.
>
>1) Do consider losing weight before taking a statin.
>2) Be wary of the generics.
>3) Be very aware if you experience any muscle problems (in my case, it
>was not strength, but a significant stiffening of the arms & wrist
>muscles - not what I was picturing when they talked about potential
>muscle problems.).
Experience of a close friend of mine, who is among the 15-20% of the
population having a genetic deficiency in cholesterol regulation:
1. It is fairly well known that dietary cholesterol intake has a
significant effect on such people. Such people should eat animal
products in general only in moderation, and should eat only sparingly egg
yolks, organ meats, and most shellfish (since most include organ meats).
2. This close friend of mine, after his early age heart attack following
total cholesterol in the mid-upper 200's with a bad ratio of LDL/HDL,
started taking statins as well as taking on a major change in diet and a
major uptick in exercise. The combination has achieved total cholesterol
around 140 with ratio of LDL/HDL becoming marginally good, and
triglycerides taking some time to decrease greatly from a bad level to a
good level.
His dietary change was reduction of calories, mostly greatly reducing
fat calories and distant 2nd place after that calories from alcohol. His
carb intake is close to unchanged or slightly increased and his protein
intake slightly decreased.
He changed his exercise lifestyle from sedentary to about 8 hours a week
of hiking and taking brisk walks.
The change in diet and exercise got his weight down by about 30 pounds,
from "pudgy with a bit of beer belly" to normal for his height and frame.
My experience:
I have good genes, deliver food by bicycle for my "day job", and commute
mostly by bike.
I used to eat the "see-food" diet, but in recent years reduced my
consumption of things in/near "empty calorie" class, with the only item I
started consuming less of with carb/fat ratio greater than in the "food
pyramid" being sugary fountain soda. I did greatly reduce my intake of
fat-rich items such as potato chips, cakes and pastries (often rich in
"bad fats"), breaded deep-fat-fried products, and mayo (usual mayo has
more calories per ounce than pure sugar has, and almost entirely fat).
I try to get my fat intake "at least somewhat limited" to sunflower
seeds and oily fish (sardines, mackerel and salmon).
I increased my intake of veggies, both other-than and including ones
disfavored by "anti-carbers" such as beans and carrots.
The dietary change has gotten my weight down from mid 170's to low
160's. If I cave in less for my weekness for beer, I will probably get
to the mid-150's appropriate for my frame.
I do tank up on B-vitamins, as in either the "B-50" or the "B-100",
usually to extent of taking in on average at least 100 mg of niacin daily.
My latest cholesterol reading was 166, with HDL of 100 and LDL of 66.
- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com)
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