1/16 I’m more than happy to work with @DoctorTro
on heart health. His dietary advice and focus on preventing heart disease are spot on. But I cannot accept the claim that statins are plaque busters. /2
on heart health. His dietary advice and focus on preventing heart disease are spot on. But I cannot accept the claim that statins are plaque busters. /2
https://twitter.com/DoctorTro/status/1930562833365758371
2/16 It is based on flawed, industry-funded studies that don’t hold up to scientific scrutiny
Statins’ mechanism of action tells a different story. Statins increase blood glucose, cause apoptosis in smooth muscle cells lining the endothelium, damage miochondria, and induce /3
Statins’ mechanism of action tells a different story. Statins increase blood glucose, cause apoptosis in smooth muscle cells lining the endothelium, damage miochondria, and induce /3
3/16 oxidative stress. How can a drug with these effects shrink plaque ? It defies logic. Worse, statins block Vitamin K2 synthesis, a key cofactor for matrix gla-protein, which PROTECTS arteries from calcification. Statins also impair selenoprotein production, like /4
4/16 glutathione peroxidase, which fights oxidative stress. This fuels atherosclerosis. The endothelium is key to plaque stability. Statins’ damage to smooth muscle cells via apoptosis weakens it, while mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress fuels inflammation. /5
5/16 a driver of plaque growth, not regression.
Anecdotal evidence paints a grim picture. I’ve seen countless cases of increased plaque volume after statin use, contradicting trials like SATURN (2011) and ASTEROID (2006), which claim modest PAV reductions. /6
Anecdotal evidence paints a grim picture. I’ve seen countless cases of increased plaque volume after statin use, contradicting trials like SATURN (2011) and ASTEROID (2006), which claim modest PAV reductions. /6
6/16 If statins shrink plaque, why do so many patients see the opposite ? Something’ doesn't add up.
Enter the drug industry. ZEUS trial (2014) was funded by Merck, maker of Ezetimibe (Zetia). Merck has a history of rigging trials. They delayed negative Vytorin results /7
Enter the drug industry. ZEUS trial (2014) was funded by Merck, maker of Ezetimibe (Zetia). Merck has a history of rigging trials. They delayed negative Vytorin results /7
7/16 (Ezetimibe/ Simvastatin) in the ENHANCE trial (2008), leading to a 2008 FDA review and a $41M settlement in 2019 for misleading claims
Michel de Lorgeril’s book Cholesterol and Statins: Sham Science and Bad Medicine nails it: The statin industry thrives on “sham science.”/8
Michel de Lorgeril’s book Cholesterol and Statins: Sham Science and Bad Medicine nails it: The statin industry thrives on “sham science.”/8
8/16 De Lorgeril exposes conflicts in trials like Framingham & ENHANCE, linking statins to new-onset diabetes, as a risk factor for plaque growth, not shrinkage.
Trials like ZEUS focus on surrogate endpoints (plaque volume) ignoring clinical outcomes like heart attacks or /9
Trials like ZEUS focus on surrogate endpoints (plaque volume) ignoring clinical outcomes like heart attacks or /9
9/16 death. IMPROVE-IT (2015), another Merck-funded trial’s executive committee included Merck employees, and several academic authors who disclosed financial relationships with Merck. For example, lead author Dr. Christopher P. Cannon reported receiving research grants and /10
10/16 consulting fees from Merck, as did other co-authors (NEJM, 2015). In 2014, Cannon received over $50,000 from Merck for consulting and speaking fees.. These ties don’t scream rigging, but they suggest a risk of bias in how the trial was conducted or reported /11
11/16 Merck’s history of delayed reporting (ENHANCE) and questionable trial design isn’t unique. They’re just the ones who got caught. The drug industry’s corruption runs deep, with cardiologists often on the payroll. /12
12/16 IMPROVE-IT authors disclosed Merck payments (NEJM, 2015). ZEUS likely followed suit. Bias much ?
You cite trials like SATURN & GLAGOV to claim statins shrink plaque. But these studies are industry-funded, often by statin makers like AZ (rosuvastatin). Their modest PAV /13
You cite trials like SATURN & GLAGOV to claim statins shrink plaque. But these studies are industry-funded, often by statin makers like AZ (rosuvastatin). Their modest PAV /13
13/16 reductions don’t match real-world outcomes, or basic biology. Dig deeper into the corruption behind these stats.
My anecdotal evidence of plaque growth in statin users aligns with de Lorgeril’s warnings. We can’t trust rigged trials over patient outcomes. /14
My anecdotal evidence of plaque growth in statin users aligns with de Lorgeril’s warnings. We can’t trust rigged trials over patient outcomes. /14
14/16 Time to rethink statins.
What’s the answer ? Focus on root causes: quit smoking, reverse diabetes, lose weight, exercise, manage hypertension, steps @DoctorTro rightly champions. Real health doesn’t come from a pill, especially not one pushed by a corrupt industry. /15
What’s the answer ? Focus on root causes: quit smoking, reverse diabetes, lose weight, exercise, manage hypertension, steps @DoctorTro rightly champions. Real health doesn’t come from a pill, especially not one pushed by a corrupt industry. /15
15/16 Let’s prioritize patients over profits.
Let’s collaborate on diet & lifestyle to protect hearts. I’m all in for that. But the drug industry’s statistical shenanigans on statins have fooled many. Merck’s track record, flawed trials, and statins’ harms can’t be ignored. /16
Let’s collaborate on diet & lifestyle to protect hearts. I’m all in for that. But the drug industry’s statistical shenanigans on statins have fooled many. Merck’s track record, flawed trials, and statins’ harms can’t be ignored. /16
16/16 Let’s focus on truth, not Big Pharma’s lies.
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