Statin ‘lookalike’ RUINING your vision? [Study]

Cholesterol.

It’s one of the conditions that has doctors dishing out this pill like CANDY.

With nearly 50% of Americans over age 75 using it on a regular basis!

And while Big Pharma continues to tout STATINS as a magic cholesterol-lowering pill … there’s A LOT they won’t tell you about them.

Like how countless studies have linked long-term statin use to muscle pain, dementia, and even a deficiency in critical nutrients for your heart.

But according to a new study, millions could be suffering from a statin “lookalike” that could literally rob you BLIND.

Here’s what you need to know about the curious statin connection.

A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) found that statins can increase your risk of CATARACTS.

This isn’t really breaking news. Cataracts have been linked to statin usage for years… but drug manufacturers have maintained that this is a very random, and extremely rare side effect.

But this study looked at the statin/cataract connection from a whole new angle… not by focusing on the drugs themselves, but on people who have a very specific gene mutation.

It turns out that people with this mutation DON’T need statins…

Because they basically make their own!

This unique mutation mimics the effect of statins – working in the body in the exact same way the drug would, by inhibiting the HMGCR enzyme, which in turn helps to keep LDL (the “bad”) cholesterol levels low.

But that blocked enzyme is what leads to cataracts – because the folks with this gene were also more prone to the vision-stealing condition.

In fact, the study found that every drop of 38.7 mg/dL in LDL cholesterol due to this gene raised the odds of cataracts by 14% and the need for surgery by 25%.

In other words, this unfortunate genetic “catch-22” could help act as a cholesterol lowering agent… but lead to eye problems.

While this isn’t a direct connection to TAKING statins, there’s a strong correlation here.

The question is, if a genetic condition that ACTS LIKE statins can lead to cataracts – does that mean statins can also lead to this eye condition?

While I can’t answer that definitively, I can say that – when it comes to statins it’s a good to remember that there are other ways to manage cholesterol.

One of my favorites is policosanol.

Studies have found that it can help gently lower your serum cholesterol AND slash triglycerides. Consider taking it in combination with niacin (a.k.a. vitamin B3).

Have a conversation with your doctor about a different approach to statins.

Keep your eyes peeled on your inbox later today. I’ve got some more myth-busting news around cholesterol you don’t want to miss.

To clearing up statins,
Sarah Reagan

Sources:

SciTech Daily. “Genetic Study Shows Cholesterol-Lowering Statins May Increase the Risk of Cataracts.” 6/15/22. https://scitechdaily.com/genetic-study-shows-cholesterol-lowering-statins-may-increase-the-risk-of-cataracts/

Reinberg, Steven. “Statins Linked to Raised Risk of Cataracts.”
https://www.webmd.com/drug-medication/news/20130919/statins-linked-to-raised-risk-of-cataracts-in-study