Can Statin Drugs Increase Your Risk of Cancer?

By James LaValle, R.Ph, ND, CCN

By now we are all familiar with the class of cholesterol lowering drugs called statins. A recent study, which was actually looking to see if statins cause liver toxicity, found that not only were statins clearly correlated with increased liver enzymes, they were also associated with increased cancer risk.¹

Another trial was looking to find out if a newer combination drug for cholesterol lowering, called Vytorin, could prevent the progression of aortic heart-valve disease-- they found out it did not. Other findings from the study were a mixed bag of good and bad, but of great concern was that more people taking the drug ended up getting cancer, compared to those on placebo -- 40% more.²

A re-analysis of the data from some of these trials was done to see if the cholesterol lowering drugs really did increase cancer risk or if that occurred by chance -- the authors came away convinced the increased cancer risk was a fluke. Interestingly though, a group of editors of the New England Journal of Medicine said in effect, "Not so fast," because they calculated that the odds that this finding was just by chance could be as low as 7 in 1000.³

In the meantime, another study has suggested that it may not be the drugs that are increasing the cancer risk, but the low LDL levels (LDL is considered the "bad" type of cholesterol). This study followed Chinese patients with type II diabetes who had no previous history of cancer. Those with an LDL level of 107 had a 33% increased risk of cancer and death, and those with an LDL level of 87 had a 50% increased risk.⁴As the LDL decreased, cancer risk increased. It will be awhile before the issue is completely sorted out, and I am glad to see that at least some experts are concerned by these results.

But even with the increased risks, most of these researchers and medical organizations such as the American College of Cardiology are not suggesting that people who are on statins to manage heart disease stop taking them.⁵ Why? Because heart disease is a more immediate threat.

So what should you do? If you are currently being treated for serious heart disease, obviously you can't just jump ship based on these headlines. But here is my take on it. If I had high cholesterol and my doctor was recommending I go on statin drugs to prevent heart disease, I would try other measures first.

I have always been leery of statin drugs due to their CoQ10 depleting effects. CoQ10 is a potent antioxidant, it shuttles energy-providing fatty acids into the heart muscle, and it helps reduce insulin resistance, the inflammatory condition that is at the root of most heart disease. So, CoQ10 has very heart protective effects. At the very least, I recommend taking extra CoQ10, if you are going to take a statin.

These new concerns give us yet another reason to think very seriously before deciding to use statins. In fact, I don't know why it is so hard to believe that anything that lowers LDL so low could have such profound effects on our body. Remember, LDL is lowered because total cholesterol is lowered. Cholesterol is the raw material for many hormones in the body -- our sex hormones included. Sex hormones do more than just create a sex drive; they are needed for numerous functions in the body including our insulin function, which is a key player in the health of our artery linings.

In most cases, I would consider cholesterol-lowering drugs only if all natural methods have been exhausted. At our clinic, we achieve very good improvements in lipid profiles by, first and foremost, aggressively addressing insulin resistance with the combination of our Metabolic Code diet, exercise, and specific supplements, like chromium, magnesium, and bitter melon. In addition, other supplements like aged garlic, fish oil, plant sterols/stanols, red yeast rice extracts, and niacin can provide a variety of benefits.

We pick and choose according to the person's needs. Using a comprehensive approach, we also make sure to address the effects of stress on the body, to achieve adequate thyroid function, and to address all possible contributors to oxidative stress, such as heavy metals. The point is there are many avenues to investigate and address before giving up on natural approaches.

If statins are necessary, we recommend using them at the lowest dosage possible while making sure to supplement with CoQ10, which numerous studies have shown helps high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar regulation -- all of which will further support your fight against heart disease.^6-9

And pertinent to this discussion, one study even found partial and complete regressions of breast cancer with CoQ10.¹⁰ And by all means I would not buy into the current medical thinking that "the lower the LDL, the better." Research so far seems to show this is not the case.

References

1. Alsheikh-Ali, A. J Am Coll Cardiol., July 31, 2007; vol 50: 409-418.
2. Rossebo A et al. NEJM. Sept 25, 2008. 359 (13): 1343-56.
3. Drazen J, et al. NEJM. Sept. 25, 2008 359(13): 191398-99.
4. CMAJ. August 26, 2008; 179 (5). doi:10.1503/cmaj.071474.
5. http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/news/20070723/very-low-ldl-may-mean-more-cancer-risk.
6. Langsjoen P et al. Molec Aspects Med. 1994;15:s265- s272.
7. Marz W, Wieland H. HMG-CoA reducatse inhibition: anti-inflammatory effects beyond lipid lowering. Herz. 2000;25(6):117-25.
8. McCarty MF. Med Hypotheses. 2000;54(5):786-793.
9. Singh RB, et al. J Hum Hypertens. 1999;13(3):203-208.
10. Lockwood K, et al. Biochem Biophys Res Commun.1994;199(3):1504-1508.

[Ed. Note: James LaValle is the founding Director of the LaValle Metabolic Institute, one of the largest integrative medicine practices in the country. Dr. LaValle is the author of the bestselling book Cracking the Metabolic Code: 9 Keys to Optimal Health and is the Executive Editor of THB's The Healing Prescription.]

Cutting Edge Fitness: 5 Exercises to Improve Core Strength By Carlo Alvarez

Proper posture helps maintain a structurally stable body. But how do you achieve proper posture? Well, it all begins in the core. The core is the center of the body and where all movement begins. The core consists of the muscles of the hips, abdominals, and low back. These are some of our largest muscles groups, and provide the human body with the structural integrity it needs to function.

When these muscles are strengthened, they protect your back from potential injury and can alleviate most existing back problems and help to take undue load off of your joints and spine by helping the body to work more efficiently.

To achieve ideal performance, it is necessary to condition and prepare the whole body as a link system with all its parts working together. Each exercise below will allow you to develop strength in the deepest muscles of the body by controlling gravity, posture, and balance. Some of the exercises might look simple, but understand that they all have a specific purpose for increasing core strength and low back stabilization.

The 100. This exercise is called the 100 because you do the exercise for 100 beats. It is for breathing, getting the blood flowing, and strengthening your abdominals and torso.

• Lie on your back with your legs bent at a right angle. Draw your belly in like you are pressing it into the mat beneath you.
• Bring your head up with your chin to your chest, looking at your belly button, and stretch your arms forward like you are trying to reach to the wall across from you.
• Pump your arms up and down rapidly keeping them straight and strong. Inhale for 5 counts, exhale for 5 counts. You want to try and complete 10 sets.

The Roll Up. This exercise strengthens your core while stretching your hamstrings and back.

• Lie on your back, stretching your arms up behind you. Your legs can be straight on the mat, or you can bend your knees if you need to modify.
• Reach your arms to the ceiling and round your chin onto your chest. Continue to roll up one vertebra at a time. At the top, stretch forward with your belly button into your spine.
• Squeeze your knees and buttocks together and curl your spine as you roll back down one vertebra at a time. Repeat this 6 times. Try to keep your lower body stable and on the mat.

Rolling Like a Ball. This exercise will improve your balance, and will massage your back.

• Sit on your tailbone with your knees bent, but slightly apart. Hold your ankles with your hands and lift the feet up so you are balancing on your tailbone.
• Keep the elbows out to the side so you do not lift your shoulders up. Keep your chin tucked to your chest and round your back by pulling your navel to your spine. Fall back rolling to the shoulders, and roll back up to the tailbone.
• Remember, do not throw your head back or kick your feet up. Stay as round as a ball, feeling each vertebra touch the mat in order, on the way back and the way up. Do this 10 times.

Double Leg Straight. These next two exercises are part of the stomach series. This exercise works your powerhouse to the extreme! It works your entire core while fueling the stretch in the hamstrings.

• Lie on your back with your hands behind your head (one on top of the other -- do not lace your fingers). Stretch your legs right up to the ceiling and turn the thighs out slightly to form the Pilates V. Your inner thighs should be squeezing tightly together and the negative space of your feet should from a V.
• Press your navel in to your spine like you are securing it to the mat beneath you and raise your head and shoulders off the mat keeping your chin to your chest. Keep squeezing your inner thighs and butt.
• Lower your legs down toward the mat ONLY AS FAR AS YOU CAN KEEP YOUR NAVEL IN. DO NOT ARCH YOUR BACK. Then exhale and bring your legs back up to the ceiling and keeping your tailbone on the mat. Repeat this 8-10 times.

Criss Cross. This exercise works the obliques and increases flexibility in the back, hips, and torso.

• Keep your hands behind your head without lacing them and bend your knees to your chest.
• Extend the right leg and twist your upper body bringing your right elbow to the left knee. Look back to the left elbow. Make sure your upper back and shoulders are not touching the mat.
• Now bend the right knee and extend the left leg bringing your left elbow to your right knee and look back at your right elbow.
• Keep pulling your abs in and do not let them push out. Repeat this for 8-10 sets.

[Ed. note: Carlo X. Alvarez is a noted authority in the customized fitness and sports performance field. He is recognized for his integrated and systematic approach to training, based on a foundation of safe and proven methodology that has direct and measurable benefits to performance.]

Weight Loss: Block This By Laura LaValle, RD, LD

Part 1 of a 2 Part Series

In a world where the numbers of overweight and obese people only continue to climb, many people are desperate for any help they can get with weight loss. Sure, most people can lose weight following a low carb, or conversely, a low calorie, low fat diet -- for a little while anyway. But long-term compliance continues to elude many people. Wouldn't it be nice if you could eat all the carbs or all the fat you wanted and not gain weight?

That's the allure of a category of newer dietary supplements called starch blockers, and the over-the-counter fat blocker called Alli. The idea is, "Go ahead and eat the foods you like, just keep them from breaking down and make them pass right through, so you don't absorb the calories."

First, just to give you a little background... Starch blockers are substances that stop the digestion of starches by blocking one of the enzymes that break them down. For example, a prescription drug for diabetics called acarbose (Precose) blocks the enzyme called alpha-glucosidase.

A newer over-the-counter starch blocker called Phase ² is extracted from white beans and is an ingredient in many different starch-blocking weight loss products that go by different names. It blocks alpha-amylase, another carb-digesting enzyme.

Xenical (orlistat) is the higher-dose prescription version of Alli. It blocks the fat-digesting enzyme called lipase. Many users don't know that it was almost taken off the market by the FDA due to the severe side effects.

Do these products help with weight loss? Somewhat. For starch blockers, there aren't many studies to look at, but one that was done by the manufacturer of Phase 2 showed people lost an average of a half a pound a week compared to controls who only lost .21 pound per week.¹

One study of orlistat showed that subjects who took the drug and followed a low calorie diet lost about 15 pounds in 2 years compared to those on placebo who lost about 8 pounds.² The Alli full program is supposed to include exercise, in which case, weight loss could be, and according to testimonials on the web site, often is greater. Some experts have noted that the drug doesn't work unless you have a certain amount of fat in your diet.³

However, it is really important to note -- these products block only a small percentage of the calories from fats or starches, so it is still necessary to practice portion control and to exercise, or they aren't effective. That's why Alli provides a whole online support program teaching people how to reduce their calories further using portion control, and encouraging exercise.

Blogs and online discussion forums show starch blocker users reporting the same thing -- you still can't eat whatever you want or you don't lose weight. The bottom line is, you still have to do the hard work of dieting and exercising.

Despite that, and the side effects of gas and loose oily stools, one study found that Alli users report very high satisfaction with the product.⁴ But would they be as willing to use it if they knew that a health research group has questioned whether it may potentially cause colon cancer? ⁵

Next time I'll discuss the side effects and safety concerns of fat and starch blockers and provide a few helpful pointers for sticking to a low carb diet.

References

1. Udani J, et al. Alt Med Rev. 2004;9(1):63-69.
2. Heymsfield S et al. Arch Intern Med.2000;160:1321-1326.
3. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,282617,00.html.
4. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/86286.php.
5. http://www.worstpills.org/results.cfm?drug_id=1061&x=29&y=14.

[Ed. Note: Laura B. LaValle, RD, LD is presently the director of dietetics nutrition at LaValle Metabolic Institute (formerly part of Living Longer Institute). She offers personal nutritional counseling at LMI for clients who need help with their diet in relation to illness or disease. Laura also provides educational services in the areas of health promotion, wellness, and disease prevention. To learn more click here.]

Healthy Recipes: Pesto with Soy Pasta By Laura LaValle, RD, LD

As promised, here is a great sauce recipe.

One of the hardest foods to replace on a low carb diet is pasta. We all know the spaghetti squash trick, but when you just can't get past the "I want real pasta" craving, this soy pasta does the trick. One ounce contains 15 grams of carbs, but the net carbs are very low because the fiber is so high at 12 grams per serving. I usually use the pasta as a side dish with a chicken or fish entree, and add salad and vegetable.

While pesto is traditionally served with pasta, it is delicious served as a topping on chicken or fish. I sometimes even spread it on a slice of nitrate-free deli turkey for a tasty low carb rollup.

Time to table: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

Healing Nutrient Spotlight
Excellent source of iron and manganese
Good source of vitamin A
Wheat and dairy free

Ingredients*
4 oz. whole soybean pasta
2 cups basil leaves, stemmed and packed tightly
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves crushed garlic
1/4 tsp. plus 1/8 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. soy parmesan
1/4 cup raw pine nuts

*Choose organic ingredients for optimal nutrition.

Preparation
Cook soy pasta according to directions. While pasta is cooking, put all ingredients except for pine nuts into a food processor and blend until the basil is pureed and smooth. Add pine nuts and process until smooth, scraping bowl as needed. Do not over-process (you should see small pieces of pine nuts in the sauce). You may add a little more oil if you want a thinner sauce. Serve over soy pasta. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Nutrition
400 calories, 35 g total fat, 4 g saturated fat, 6 g polyunsaturated fat, 22 g monounsaturated fat, .5 mg cholesterol, 15 g carbohydrate, 12 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 14 g protein, 820 IU vitamin A, .5 mg niacin, 18 mcg folate, 80 mg calcium, 40 mg magnesium, 155 mg potassium, 215 mg sodium, .7 mg manganese, 1.7 mcg selenium, .6 mg zinc

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These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise’s Total Health Breakthroughs [Issue 10-07-08] which offers alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/