WSJ, JAMA Weigh Side Effects of Cholesterol Drugs

NEW YORK--Cholesterol-lowering drugs may be some of the most popular in the United States, but not enough information is known about possibly serious side effects, according to a story in the Feb. 1 Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Writer Tara Parker-Pope reviewed the current state of knowledge on the abilities of statin drugs to reduce cholesterol levels, and also covered the alleged side effects such as memory loss and muscle aches. Dietary supplement proponents are aware of such possible side effects, having raised concerns over the years about nutrient depletions associated with statin drugs.

Drug makers quoted in the article disputed the idea that statins contribute to memory problems, and said the drug has a positive safety and tolerability record. However, there is an independent study underway at the University of California at San Diego assessing the side effects of statins. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded the $4.4 million double blind study, following 1,000 patients taking Zocor, Pravachol or a placebo.

Interestingly, the article also noted that some doctors are recommending that patients on statin drugs take coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). "You take these fragile elderly people, knock their cholesterol in half and deplete them of this essential nutrient and it makes sense they're going to have trouble," Peter Langsjoen, a cardiologist was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, a study being published in the Feb. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) (287:598-605) (jama.ama-assn.org) explored the effects of diet and statin drugs on cholesterol, insulin and antioxidant levels. The study was led by Antti Jula, M.D., from the Research and Development Centre of the Social Insurance Institution in Turku, Finland. The randomized, controlled crossover trial looked at 120 men between 35 and 64, assigned to one of four groups: standard diet with simvastatin or placebo, or a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and produce with simvastatin or placebo.

The dietary treatment and simvastatin treatments both lowered total cholesterol and glucose levels remained unchanged. They concluded, "A modified Mediterranean-type diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids efficiently potentiated the cholesterol-lowering effect of simvastatin, counteracted the fasting insulin-elevating effect of simvastatin, and, unlike simvastatin, did not decrease serum levels of beta-carotene and [CoQ10]."