I found a prostate doctor for my husband who I thought was going to be good. The jury is still not totally in, but I believe now he is so-so, not good. On our first visit, he had a little poster drawn up showing treatments, and I was shocked to see statins listed as a treatment for prostate cancer. Subsequently, this man sent us a “Prostate Cancer Communication Newsletter”, and “Statins” was the front page article. Supposedly, at the 2005 American Assn for Cancer Research mtg, Dr. Elizabeth Platz reported that men taking statins “reduced their risk of developing advanced prostate cancer by about half, and this effect seems cumulative, so the longer men take statins, the lower the risk of advanced prostate cancer.” She reported that the use of statins reduced the risk of metastatic prostate cancer, or prostate cancer mortality, or both by more than 65%. In the pamphlet, the “by more than 65%” was in very large bold type. Why would this woman say this, when it seems so obvious to me that this is, like, a thing that you can’t prove or test for. Statins reduced the risk of something that you just might get? Does that seem a weird way of looking at it to anyone else? It stops something that you can’t predict reliably that you will get? This same pamphlet went on to talk about intimacy in a marriage when the man’s prostate has been carved up or nuked as “the loving pie”. This analogy dealt with eating a large pie in several slices, with various activities and emotions as the crust and filling and using this pie as a bizarre and scary metaphor for all the facets of married love.

makes me think this particular doc is “out to lunch”.

statins for prostate cancer seems to me like a way, way, WAY off label use of this stuff.

thanks again for the low carb way of life. “Protein Power’s” spine is pretty rickety from much reading/studying, will have to get another copy. robyn tonkin

Hi Robyn–

As far as I can tell there is no medical literature showing that statins prevent any kind of cancer.  There is medical literature showing that statins appear to cause cancer, especially in elderly people.

If I had prostate cancer I wouldn’t go near a statin.  I would ask to see the double-blind, placebo-controlled study showing that a statin would actually work to treat the cancer.  There is on such study.

Cheers–

MRE 

Hi Martha–

The Reckless Award is only for stupid actions concerning statin drugs.  We would have to come up with a whole new award for the Perry idiocy in Texas, which is stupidity of a whole different magnitude.

Cheers–

MRE 

Hi Neil–

It appears that he does.  I didn’t know that.

MRE 

People who try this eagerly report that after only a few “treatments” their teeth are whiter and their aches and pains are less. Of course they also report that it takes rinsing and gargleing with sea salt and baking soda, as well as thoroughly brushing their teeth to remove the residue. Somehow I think if they just spent those 20 minutes swishing water around (or not), while thinking peaceful, soothing, or happy thoughts they would see the same improvements.

Hi Martha–

Thanks for the research report.  I think I’ll stick to my regimen of low-carb eating and regular brushing.

Cheers–

MRE 

Hey Simon–

Thanks for the history.  I’ll pass it along.

Cheers–

MRE 

But, I am one of the lucky ones. I am on a message board of people that have stopped their statins….and many have permanent damage, mainly nerve and muscle. A few of us on the board try to tell people to not worry about their numbers, especially when their HDLs are very high, but they insist on trying to lower them, only without statins.

I follow ALL the news on statins. And I fear there will come a day when someone will seriously recommend putting them in the water! It truely does sound like a wonder drug!!!

What is also horrible is that so many docs not only don’t tell their patients to take CoQ10 along with the statin, some even specifically tell patients to NOT take it!!

Hi Cindy–

Thanks for the report and thanks for reminding me of CoQ10.  Anyone who is or has been on statins needs CoQ10.  The enzymatic chain upon which statin drugs work is involved in the production of CoQ10.  As a consequence, taking statins reduces CoQ10 levels.

Cheers–

MRE 

On a different note, I just found out about oil pulling and I’ve spent an entire morning googling and reading about it. I believe it’s Ayurvedic in origin and one site claimed that the practice can cure, among other things, AIDS and cracked heels.

Sounds better than Preparation H.

Hi Marly–

Muscle pain and weakness are the most common side effects of statins, so it’s no surprise that four of your friends experienced them.

As far as oil pulling is concerned, I haven’t a clue as to what it is.  But if I ever develop AIDS and/or cracked heels, I’ll be sure to check it out.

Cheers–

MRE 

I think the Reckless Award may have to be given more often than annually!

Thanks for your Protein Power books and many thanks for your blog. I appreciate and enjoy the insights immensely.

Barbara

Hi Barbara–

Thanks for the kind words about the books and blog.

Although the Reckless Award will be given annually, there will be many, many nominees. Dr. Stuttaford is just the first.

Cheers–

MRE