The raison d'etre of this website is to provide you with hard scientific information which may help you make informed decisions in your quest for health (so far I have blogged concise summaries of over 1,500 scientific studies and have had three books published).

My research is mainly focused on the effects of cholesterol, saturated fat and statin drugs on health. If you know anyone who is worried about their cholesterol levels and heart disease, or has been told to take statin drugs you could send them a link to this website, and to my statin or cholesterol or heart disease books.

David Evans

Independent Health Researcher

Friday, 24 June 2016

Statins significantly reduce dolichol levels

This study was published in BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology 2012, 13(Suppl 1):A51
 
Study title and authors:
Statins reduce endogenous dolichol levels in the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y
Bihter Atil, Evelyn Sieczkowski and Martin Hohenegger
Institute of Pharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
 
This study can be accessed at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/2050-6511/13/S1/A51


Dolichols play an important role in biosynthesis, protein metabolism, cell vitality and immune system health.


This study assessed the effects of simvastatin on dolichol levels. The laboratory based study used the human SH-SY5Y cells.


The study found that dolichol levels were significantly decreased by simvastatin.


More information about dolichols, statins and the mevalonate pathway:
The deadly effects statins have on the mevalonate pathway
Statin Damage to the Mevalonate Pathway


 

Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Statin use might increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration

This study was published in the Archives of Ophthalmology 2006 Jan;124(1):33-7

Study title and authors:
3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitors and the presence of age-related macular degeneration in the Cardiovascular Health Study.
McGwin G Jr, Modjarrad K, Hall TA, Xie A, Owsley C.
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Suite 609, 700 S. 18th Street, Birmingham, AL 35294-0009, USA. mcgwin@uab.edu

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16401782/

The objective of the study was to evaluate both the use of cholesterol-lowering medications as a group and the use of statins specifically with regard to the risk of age-related macular degeneration. The study included 2,755 men and women aged over 65 years.

The study found:
(a) Those taking cholesterol-lowering medications had a 35% increased risk of age-related macular degeneration compared to those not taking cholesterol-lowering medications.
(b) Those taking statins had a 40% increased risk of age-related macular degeneration compared to those not taking statins.

McGwin concluded: "Statin use might increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration".

Sunday, 12 June 2016

Low cholesterol associated with dissociative disorders

This study was published in The American Journal of Psychiatry 2004 Nov;161(11):2121-3


Study title and authors:
Serum lipid levels in patients with dissociative disorder.
Agargun MY, Ozer OA, Kara H, Sekeroglu R, Selvi , Eryonucu B.
Department of Psychiatry, Yüzüncü Yil University School of Medicine, Van 65200, Turkey. myagargun@kure.com.tr

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15514416

Someone with a dissociative disorder escapes reality in ways that are involuntary and unhealthy. The person with a dissociative disorder experiences a disconnection and lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions and identity. Signs and symptoms of dissociative disorders include:
Memory loss (amnesia) of certain time periods, events and people
Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and attempts
A sense of being detached from yourself
A perception of the people and things around you as distorted and unreal
A blurred sense of identity
Significant stress or problems in your relationships, work or other important areas of your life.

This study investigated the association between low cholesterol levels and dissociative disorders. The study included 16 patients with dissociative disorder and 16 normal comparison subjects.

The study found:
(a) Patients with dissociative disorders had 15% lower cholesterol levels than normal comparison subjects.
(b) Patients with dissociative disorders had 27% lower levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol than normal comparison subjects.
(c) Patients with dissociative disorders had 33% lower levels of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol than normal comparison subjects.
(d) Patients with dissociative disorders had 32% lower triglyceride levels than normal comparison subjects.
Agargun concluded: "Low serum lipid concentrations may be related to a high incidence of self-injurious behaviors and borderline features in patients with dissociative disorders."

Links to other studies:
Both low cholesterol levels and declining cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of death from suicide in men. 
Low cholesterol levels associated with violence, antisocial behaviour and premature death
Low cholesterol increases suicide risk

Friday, 10 June 2016

Statins associated with a 101% increase in diabetes

This study was published in the American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs 2016 Jun 7


Study title and authors:
Use of Statins and the Risk of Incident Diabetes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
Olotu BS, Shepherd MD, Novak S, Lawson KA, Wilson JP, Richards KM, Rasu RS.
Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, 2010 Becker Dr., Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA. buzzlotus@ku.edu.


This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27272032


The objective of this study was to examine whether the use of statins increases the risk of diabetes. The two year study included 106,424 subjects, aged 20-63 years, of which 53,212 were statin users and 53,212 non statin users. None of the subjects had diabetes at the start of the study.


The study found that statins users had a 101% increased risk of diabetes compared to non users.


Links to other studies:

Saturday, 28 May 2016

Statins associated with a 75% increased risk of death in patients with lung disease

This study was published in the American Thoracic Society Journal 2010.181.1_MeetingAbstracts.A170110.1164

Study title and authors:
Effect Of Statin Therapy On Outcomes In Patients With Acute Lung Injury And Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
Seth R. Bauer, PharmD, Simon W. Lam, PharmD, Anita J. Reddy, MD

This study can be accessed at: http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2010.181.1_MeetingAbstracts.A1701

Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening medical condition where the lungs can't provide enough oxygen for the rest of the body.

This study investigated the effects of statins on patients diagnosed with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome who received treatment in an intensive care unit setting. The study included 187 patients who were divided into three groups:
(i) Patients who received statins before and continued after acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis.
(ii) Patients who received statins before but not after acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis.
(iii) Patients who never had statins.

The study found:
(a) Overall, patients who received statins had a 75% increased risk of death compared to patients who never had statins.
(b) Patients who received statins before and continued after acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis had a 114% increased risk of death compared to patients who never had statins.
(c) Patients who received statins before but not after acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis had a 41% increased risk of death compared to patients who never had statins.

Links to other studies:
Link between statin use and interstitial lung disease
63.5% of patients report experiencing side-effects due to statins
Doctor says statin drug hypersensitivity reactions are potentially life-threatening

Thursday, 26 May 2016

Review of my book Statins Toxic Side Effects by Dr Rajendra Sharma

I've had a positive review of my book Statins Toxic Side Effects by Dr Rajendra Sharma published in the Caduceus Journal

Below is the transcript of the review from the Caduceus Journal (Issue 93 Page 26).


Statins Toxic Side Effects - Evidence from 500 scientific papers by David Evans

Grosvenor House Publishing, Guildford, 2015. Pb, 504pp, £14.99 (Amazon). ISBN 978 1781483909

Reviewed by Rajendra Sharma

David Evans’ first two books on the hazards of low cholesterol and benefits of saturated fats (see article, issue 90) have yet to make the impact they should have. These reference books on the truth behind cholesterol and the risks of lowering it did more than enough to provide ample evidence to guide every prescribing doctor to think long and hard about their training in the treatment of arterial and cardiovascular disease.

As before, Evans’ clear and concise presentation of unequivocal facts highlights the enormous amount of evidence illustrating the failing of the world’s best-selling drugs, statins. Here, more so than in his previous two books, he emphasises the actual damage to our health that these cholesterol-lowering drugs do. His 21 chapters, all easy to read even by the non-scientifically trained, question the current modus operandi of statin prescribing in the face of the illness that these drugs are proven to cause.

Muscle disease, kidney and liver dysfunction, pancreatitis, neurological conditions, autoimmune disease, inflammatory problems along with the bowel, urinary tract, bone structure and fertility are all cited through published, peer-reviewed references. Evans has even highlighted that statins can be associated with depression, suicide, ‘foggy’ brain, reduced exercise performance and antisocial behaviour.

I have been confused over what to advise those with fears of dementia when asked about cholesterol-lowering drugs but Statin Toxic Side Effects records evidence of the production of abnormally phosphorylated Tau proteins, those associated with Alzheimer’s. Herein may lie why some studies suggest benefit while others increased incidence.

These diseases might all be acceptable if we were benefiting from lower cholesterol but unfortunately, normal or even high levels of cholesterol, increase life-span, avoid many lethal conditions and are even associated with lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths. The book reminds us of the importance of cholesterol for production of vitamin D, sex hormones, the stress-coping cortisol and other hormones and pathways.

Evans emphasises once again how statins reduce the availability of essential nutrients such as vitamins A and E, the minerals zinc and copper and interferes with selenium activity. I learned of statins’ effect on pathways influenced by dolichols, protein-binding molecules, and Heme A.

To me, as a front-line physician, to read of many under-publicised research papers suggesting that 17-63.5% of those taking statins suffer side-effects is a relief as it reflects my practice experience. Fortunately, working as I do in integrated medicine and within the private sector, I have the time to deal with the lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, psycho-spiritual and traditional health systems that make an appreciable and real difference to arterial and CV disease. My conventional colleagues are not afforded this time by current medical practice, nor are they or our medical students taught about the alternative options.

The 500 scientific papers indicate that statins do not save lives. Even when taken for years there is little appreciable difference in the CVD mortality. Chapters illustrate how high cholesterol reduces the risk of many other diseases and one worrying chapter specifically highlights how most of those who decide on what are considered to be healthy levels of cholesterol are directly or indirectly in the pay of the statin manufacturers. These Pharma giants also, it appears, fund the majority of the research in this field. Statin sales are now $34bn annually.

Evans cites how the regulators had systematically produced, or been provided with, evidence supporting why lower and lower levels of cholesterol need to be achieved. Those accepting these figures could justify drugging up 35% of an asymptomatic adult male population, most of whom have a low risk of CVD.

The concept of a ‘typical modern day drug trial’ is already itself questionable. Wikipedia currently lists 173 commonly prescribed drugs that have been withdrawn in the last 50 years - all of which had passed conventional efficacy and safety trails. The EU has passed and withdrawn 19 drugs between 2002 and 2011. The deaths attributed to these run into the hundreds of thousands. These are not unusual drugs used in rare diseases but include medication used by millions of people worldwide. Statin withdrawal has, suggests Evans, to follow surely.  

Present this book to your doctor. Truly, it will be a gift from the heart to the heart of others.
 
 
 
Dr Rajendra Sharma (MB BCh BAO LRCP&S (Ire) MFHom is a leading Integrated Medical Doctor utilizing conventional, Functional and complementary medicine. His special interest is working with chronic disease and its underlying causes particularly CFS/ME, cancer and other difficult conditions that respond poorly to conventional medicine.
 
He focuses on optimizing health through nutritional and non-drug medicine and as, until recently, the Secretary to the British Society for Ecological Medicine is involved in environmental health screening (metal toxicity, food allergy, pollution etc.)
 
Dr Sharma is considered by many as their family doctor and as a generalist works with all medical conditions. He is the author of The Family Encyclopedia of Health and has recently published the quintessential ‘all you need to know’ healthy ageing book, “Live Longer Live Younger”. He has particular links with the media and entertainment industry and over many years has not only provided content and support to the BBC, ITV , Channel 4 and others, but also provided and continues to provide care regularly to many globally acclaimed celebrities. Over his experienced career as Medical Director at the Hale Clinic and The Diagnostic Clinic he has forged new care initiatives. These include the impact of genomics and the environment in optimizing patient protocols, treatment and care plans.

Saturday, 21 May 2016

Doctor says statins may be over prescribed five to six fold when using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association faulty risk calculator

This study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2016 May 10;67(18):2118-30
 
Study title and authors:
Accuracy of the Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk Equation in a Large Contemporary, Multiethnic Population.
Rana JS, Tabada GH, Solomon MD, Lo JC, Jaffe MG, Sung SH, Ballantyne CM, Go AS.
Division of Cardiology, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California; Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
 
This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27151343

The 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Pooled Cohort Equations calculator is used to estimate 10-year absolute risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in primary prevention (people who have not developed clinically manifest cardiovascular disease).

The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the 2013 ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Risk Equation. The study included 307,591 ethnically diverse adults without diabetes and not taking statins (aged 40-75 years) who were assessed over five years for or a total of 1,515,142 person-years.

The study found:
(a) Those with a predicted risk of up to 2.49% of having atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events, only had an actual 0.20% risk.
(b) Those with a predicted risk between 2.50-3.74% of having atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events, only had an actual 0.65% risk.
(c) Those with a predicted risk between 3.75-4.99% of having atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events, only had an actual 0.90% risk.
(d) Those with a predicted risk of over 5.0% of having atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events, only had an actual 1.85% risk.

Rana concluded: "In a large, contemporary "real-world" population, the ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Risk Equation substantially overestimated actual 5-year risk in adults without diabetes, overall and across sociodemographic subgroups."

Senior author of the study, Dr Alan S. Go, chief of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Conditions Research at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, commented: "The (ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Risk Equation) overestimation is approximately five- to six-fold... Translating this, it would mean that we would be over-treating a good many people based on the risk calculator... Our study provides critical evidence to support recalibration of the risk equation in 'real world' populations, especially given the individual and public health implications of the widespread application of this risk calculator."