As a diabetic, it’s difficult to stay healthy. The last thing you need is a drug that fights your health every step of the way.
Landing with a thud
If you have type 2 diabetes and you take a statin drug, you might start noticing a phrase that’s ridiculously overused…
“The benefits outweigh the risks.”
You’ll hear it on TV news reports — those special “health bulletins.” You’ll read it in newspapers and magazines. They’ll loop it through your brain until you’re saying it in your sleep.
But no matter how many times they repeat that reassuring phrase, the last word still lands with a thud.
Risks.
There are plenty of risks. And they’re all serious health challenges.
And, yes, they FAR outweigh the benefits.
Risks out of balance
Last year, the FDA told drug makers they would have to warn patients that statins increase risk of high blood sugar and type 2 diabetes.
Now, when the FDA finally shared this critical detail, it wasn’t a late-breaking scoop to you and me.
I first told you about this link more than three years ago. And for three years, whenever this disturbing statin danger has surfaced in the media, the simple-minded commentary was always the same…
“The benefits outweigh the risks.”
Riiight. As if chronic high blood sugar and type 2 diabetes are acceptable risks in order to lower cholesterol. And in many diabetics, cholesterol is already low to begin with! So doctors prescribe the drug based only on the absurd myth that it’s a magic heart disease pill. Which it absolutely is not.
If you have type 2 and your cholesterol is normal, you can be sure of only one thing with statins… The risks are outrageous.
Kidney health is a key concern for type 2 diabetics. A statin puts kidneys at even greater risk when the drug damages muscles. The impaired muscles release a protein that injures kidneys and can prompt kidney failure.
Type 2 increases risk of cognitive decline. Statins can boost that risk even higher.
Same thing with cataracts. Type 2 and statin use both increase cataract risk. Last year, a large study showed that risk soars when diabetics use the drug.
And if you’re struggling to control blood sugar while taking statins, you might look at the FDA warning and wonder if the drug is to blame. But if you try to get some medical guidance, here’s what you’ll hear from doctors, nurses, friends, neighbors, and probably even your paperboy…
“The benefits outweigh the risks.”
No! They don’t! Exactly the opposite!
If you have family members or friends who use statins and have type 2 diabetes, please share this information with them. They might easily be suffering from the mainstream medical brainwashing that tells them the benefits…well, you know.
Sources:
“FDA Expands Advice on Statin Risks” FDA Consumer Update, February 2012, fda.gov
“Cardiovascular benefits and diabetes risks of statin therapy in primary prevention: an analysis from the JUPITER trial” The Lancet, Vol. 380, No. 9841, 8/11/12, thelancet.com
“The Diabetes Dilemma for Statin Users” Eric J. Topol, M.D., New York Times, 3/4/12, nytimes.com
“Statins linked with development of cataracts” Michael O’Riordan, The Heart, 8/13/12, theheart.org
“Statin Use Tied to Eye, Kidney, Liver Troubles” Steven Reinberg, HealthDay News, 5/20/10, healthday.com
