There was a great article in the LA Times "Health" section, monday August 9, 2010 by Times writer, Melissa Healy. Statins are the most prescribed drug in the USA. It is estimated that about 24 million Americans take the drugs marketed as Pravachol, Mevacor, Lipitor, Zocor and Crestor to prevent heart attacks and strokes!
Like I've already mention and has already been documented in all the medical journals and national statistics, the number 1 killer in America is heart disease or heart attacks and the number 3 killer in this country is stroke and the number 4 killer is properly prescribed FDA-approved drugs/ medications.
The article goes on to say, that the pharmaceutical companies rake in $26.2 billion a year! In 2009, patients in this country filled 201.4 prescriptions for statins alone, according to IMS Health, which tracks precription drug trends. The FDA intially approved statins for the prevention of repeated heart attacks and strokes.
The article also states that presently, statins are now being prescribed as the primary way to prevent heart disease and strokes. Harvard medical school's own Dr. John Abramson has been quoted saying, "There's a conspiracy of false hope." He goes on to publish in June, in the Archives of Internal Medicine, "The public wants an easy way to prevent heart disease and drug companies want to maximize the number of people taking their pills to boast their sales and profits."
Ely Lily the pharmaceutical company famous for prozac (anti depressant) is quoted saying, "A drug without a side effect is NOT a drug at all." Another mentor of mine, Dr. Scott Walker says, "We don't just die... We kill ourselves!" How so true. When we don't take any responsibility and ownership in our own health, we become victims.
Side Effects of takin Statins:
1) muscle aches
2) headaches
3) nausea
4) weakness
5) upset stomach
6) joint pain
7) rare cases, pancreatitis
8) tendon pain
9) depression
10)sleep disturbances
11) memory loss
12) sexual dysfunction
13) cataracts
14) peripheral neuropathy
15) hemorrhagic stroke
16) rare cases, interstitial lung disease
The Times article goes on to quote Dr. Gregg C Fonarow, "It's very clear in clinical trials that side effects of not taking a statin is a 30% - 50% increase in the rate of heart attack or stroke." I like to comment that Dr. Fonarow quote is not necessarily true! If you do nothing then the percent chance of being a victim of heart disease is real.
The Better Alternative:
A patient needs to take ownership and responsibility for their health. By stopping what they are doing and looking what is going on... and what is creating the problem is imperative. Just because you have no symptoms doesn't mean you have a clean bill of health. In this day and age, many of us are stressed and stress causes illness.
Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a specific form of holistic health that focuses on the patient's cause of their problem. It is my true belief, that AK is the only complete form of preventive medicine that targets what a patient needs to work on, in order to improve their health. It looks at the patient's state of health as a whole not just a specific part. The key is to identity all imbalances and stresses structurally (physically), chemically and mentally.
AK gives you specific concrete answers to your problem. It is not a guessing game. It doesn't just rely on what's on the internet, the latest trend or what medical schools are teaching doctors. It doesn't shotgun medicine or even natural supplements to prevent problems. This form of specific health care takes an account that every patient, person, athlete and case individually. There are no general protocols because there are different causes and stresses that create each individual problem. AK is precise, clear and works on eliminating the road blocks, so that the body can regain balance (homeostatsis) and heal itself.
Just recently a famous golfer, Tiger Woods explained to the media that his game is suffering because he is imbalanced. Woods goes on to state the key for him is to find that balance. He is definitely on the right path. The key is balance in all aspects of your life/ health structurally, chemically and mentally. Look at his face and body posture. It says it all. Like Dr. John Diamond, another friend/ mentor always says, "The body does not life." Added by Dr. Howard Cohn, "And it (body) makes no mistakes."
Conclusion:
Now let me ask you a question. Do you think whether you are an "average Joe", "weekend warrior" or Tiger Woods... can you perform well if you are taking drugs, not structurally balanced and in chaos? I'm sorry listening to the clerk at a vitamin shop, health supermarket, television, magazine, trainer or celebrity is not going to make you a healthier athlete let alone a healthier person.
Stay tune to understand the differences between fitness vs health. They are totally different. It is a popular belief system that by going to the gym and listening to your trainer will ensure you good health. Many times patients are going to the gym and becoming parodoxically unhealthy.