Are statin drugs effective in lowering cholesterol levels?
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Dr. Dean Ornish answered:Statin drugs are effective ways of lowering cholesterol levels. Several large-scale randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that statin drugs can reduce cardiac events and premature death, and they may have additional anti-inflammatory benefits. Some people, only half facetiously, talk about adding them to the water supply. I prescribe them for patients when indicated.
Although statins are beneficial, I just don’t think that these drugs are the best first choice for most patients, since all medications have costs and side effects, both known and unknown. Last year, billions of dollars were spent on statin drugs, most of which could have been avoided by making bigger changes in diet and lifestyle, and the only side effects of diet and lifestyle changes are good ones.
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Statin drugs are effective ways of lowering cholesterol levels. Several large-scale randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that statin drugs can reduce cardiac events and premature death, and they may have additional anti-inflammatory... More
