Should You Take Cholesterol-Lowering Medications?

Brad Stanfield

Feb 1, 2024

Episode description

1 in every 5 deaths in the United States is from heart disease, which is inexcusable given that there are so many ways to reduce our risks. For some people, one of those ways is to use cholesterol-lowering medications.

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Here are the links to the research papers referenced in the video:
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2740765/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28444290/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109721051159?via%3Dihub
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666667722000551?via%3Dihub
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/ATV.0000000000000164
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36102667/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19221140/
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol-lowering-with-drugs-other-than-statins-and-pcsk9-inhibitors
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol-lowering-with-drugs-other-than-statins-and-pcsk9-inhibitors
https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(22)01545-8/fulltext
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25575908/
https://www.cochrane.org/CD013211/HTN_what-effect-atorvastatin-testosterone-and-other-hormone-levels-men-and-women
https://www.cochrane.org/CD004816/VASC_statins-primary-prevention-cardiovascular-disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36529993/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22550-pcsk9-inhibitors
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2215024
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9650075/

The links above are affiliate links, so I receive a small commission every time you use them to purchase a product. The content contained in this video, and its accompanying description, is not intended to replace viewers’ relationships with their own medical practitioner. Always speak with your doctor regarding the content of this channel, and especially before using any products, services, or devices discussed on this channel.

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Aim for newborn cholesterol levels below 60 mg/dL

The truly optimal LDL cholesterol level is likely that of a newborn (20-40 mg/dL), with a more reasonable and protective target being below 60 mg/dL.

#cholesterol

Utilize bempidoic acid to enhance insulin sensitivity

A new medication called bempidoic acid is a liver-targeted statin alternative that may actually improve insulin sensitivity, unlike statins which can slightly worsen it.

#insulin

#statin

Utilize low-dose statins for effective cholesterol management

Low-dose hydrophilic statins, like 5-10mg of rosuvastatin, offer 85-90% of the cholesterol-lowering effect with a much lower risk of side effects.

#cholesterol

#statin

Understand cholesterol's role in brain health and neurodegeneration

The brain produces its own cholesterol and does not depend on liver or dietary sources, so cholesterol-lowering medications do not cause neurodegeneration.

#cholesterol

#neurology

Prioritize omega-3 and berberine for cardiovascular protection

For cardiovascular protection, the only two supplements with some supporting evidence mentioned are Omega-3 from the VITAL trial and berberine.

#berberine

#omega-3

Monitor LDL cholesterol to prevent blood vessel blockages

Even with optimal health metrics in every other area, high LDL cholesterol is still significantly correlated with blockages in blood vessels according to the PESA study.