Thread by @RootCauseDoctor

Great big-picture explainer on cholesterol and statins.

Collectively we will look back on the era of widespread statin-pushing by the medical establishment with dismay.

Some thoughts 1/N

https://twitter.com/RemnantMd/status/1521229183132880904

- Every medication has side effects. By inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, we are making a range off-target side effects more likely. Incl myopathy, diabetes, cognitive impairment, etc. These must be balanced against any (purported) benefit in absolute terms ie years of life gained

- No pharmacological therapy is more effective than addressing causative factors ie #RootCauses. For 1 and 2ndary prevention of heart disease this means avoiding factors that damage endothelium and cause oxidative stress (smoking, seed oils, high blood glucose, lead, etc.)

- Most MDs have no concept of cholesterol/lipoprotein physiology including role in cell membranes integrity, hormone bio-synthesis, energy trafficking and innate immunity. This knowledge prob deliberately under-emphasized so physicians don't dig too deeply into #RootCauses

- Patients need to take a much more active role in their health decisions, especially if Rx statins for primary prevention without being advised of absolute benefit vs risks and without being given effective lifestyle advice. This is a lifetime prescription so do ur due dilligenc

Credit to @RemnantMd for a great article as well as titans like Dr @malcolmken who has spent his entire career debunking scientific BS from Pharma that has justified widespread statin roll out. For more info watch this great vid by @DrPaulMason

For more takes on cholesterol and statins, subscribe to the RootCause Journal of Medicine

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