CHOLESTEROL AND ATOVASTATIN
I understand most of us don't like to read but this one will open your mind,so take your time to read it.
Cholesterol is a type of lipid, a waxy substance that is found in every cell of the body. It plays a crucial role in several physiological functions, including:
Formation of cell membranes:
Cholesterol is an essential component of the cell membrane, which provides structural support and helps regulate the passage of molecules in and out of the cell.(remember the lipid bilayer that sounds the cell:cell membrane? That's it)
Production of hormones:
Cholesterol is a precursor to the production of several hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol.
Vitamin D synthesis:
Cholesterol is necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D, which is important for maintaining bone health and immune function.
Bile production:
Cholesterol is used to produce bile, which is necessary for the digestion and absorption of dietary fats.
While cholesterol is important for many bodily functions, high levels of cholesterol in the blood can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy balance of cholesterol in the body through diet and lifestyle changes.
Atovastatin is a medication used to "lower cholesterol" levels in the blood.
It's in a group of drugs called STATINS
These drugs lower cholesterol non selectively( both good and bad cholesterol)
Now, once you lower cholesterol levels in blood,then this means the above cholesterol roles will be altered.(as explained at the end of each function above)
Some of the severe side effects include;
-Liver damage, which can cause symptoms such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, or dark urine(Jaundice)
-Muscle damage, which can cause symptoms such as severe muscle pain, weakness, or tenderness. You will then end up buying another drug for this.(problem)
-Kidney problems, which can cause symptoms such as swelling in the legs or feet, fatigue, or changes in urination. Also uncontrolled blood pressure. Therefore you will be treating blood cholesterol to help you manage blood pressure but end up getting uncontrolled blood pressures.(another problem)
-Allergic reactions, which can cause symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Erectile dysfunction,infertility in both genders, and reproductive health issues due to lowered sex hormones; Testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. Also an increased stress due to Cortisol imbalance.
-Aging, due to cell membrane structure alteration.
-Fatty stool, diarrhoea and malnutrition. The break down of fat through bike is altered and therefore you pass stool that has fats. Also fat soluble vitamins (ADEK) are absorbed together with fats, if you can't break down and absorb fats then you will not absorb these vitamins. You will also suffer gallstones.
A deficiency in vit D will mean brittle bones easy to fracture and also low immunity
A deficiency in vit A will mean impaired vision.
A deficiency in vit K will mean no ability to clot blood.
In conclusion, if you go for a lipid profile and they tell you that you have high cholesterol don't panic. This is not enough because everyone needs cholesterol to survive. Ask them for an LDL : Triglycerides ratio. If this is high then that's the time you are at risk. You will need dietary modifications and NOT DRUGS.
Always treat the cause and not the symptoms.
STATINS and specifically atovastatin are drugs that have been used widely but NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE has been noted.
ITS TIME TO DROP THEM FROM YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS!!
This is a polite reminder.
