Coming Off Statins - Update June 28, 2018

[sos007]

I came off of statins in October 2016. I stopped taking my other medications - ramipril for blood pressure, clopidogrel as an anti-coagulant, and metoprolol (beta-blocker to reduce heart rate and blood pressure) between June and October 2016.

For those who are following my progress I am posting my latest blood work results:

Total Cholesterol: 5.07 mmol/l

Triglycerides: 0.71 mmol/l

HDL: 2.2 mmol/l

LDL: 2.53 mmol/l

non-HDL: 2.87 mmol/l

VLDL: 0.32 mmol/l

TC/HDL ratio: 2.3

TG/HDL ratio: 0.32

Fibrinogen: 2.8 g/l

Homocysteine: 6.0 umol/l

Lp(a): 540 mg/l (above 300 mg/l - this is sub-optimal)

I was supposed to get my MPO (Myeloperoxidase) and NMR Lipoprofile (LDL particle number and size) measurements as well, but the lab fouled up and I didn't get this information.

I will post these values after my next blood test.

---------------------------------------

Except for Lp(a) which is to a great extent genetically pre-determined, all of my blood work markers are in the normal or optimal range. My Lp(a) has oscillated between 510 on the low side and 769 on the high side over the last 18 months. I'm doing the Linus Pauling Therapy to try and lower this but have had only modest success. I will stick with it and see if I can get it even lower. My research on Lp(a) is that it is not as dangerous as long as your LDL-C values are low to normal. I would infer that an LDL-P (particle number) and size that are optimal would also render the Lp(a) value as less risky.

I am 5' 10" tall (1.78 m) and weigh 152.6 lbs or 69.2 Kg. My waist size is 31 inches or 78.74 cm.

I exercise daily - 13,000 average daily steps; resistance training with weights every other day; cardio training - sprints on a treadmill (high intensity interval training) every other day. I also play ice hockey once per week and walk while playing golf twice per week.

I continue taking the supplements I noted in previous posts but have moved to a higher quality curcumin supplement (Theracumin) yeswellness.com/natural-fac...

I'm on a whole-foods, plant-based diet, including large amounts of legumes - but have lean chicken for two meals per week and wild caught fish for two meals per week to enhance protein. Other sources of protein - 0% fat plain Greek Yogurt (no sugar); egg whites.

I eat red meat less than once per month in small quantities.

I do NOT take any prescription medications. I take an 81 mg daily aspirin but am now reducing the frequency to once every other day. I would optimally like to eliminate the aspirin due to long term side effects. If my Fibrinogen and homocysteine levels remain optimal with every other day, then I will reduce to one every third day based on this research:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/111...

[Whatagame77]

So good to actually get some medical information on this site. I am getting a bit fed up with seeing what people have for their meals, hey ho we all have porridge for breakfast!! I have been virtually able to cut out the PPI medication since coming up to three years on WFPBNO diet and only have a statin every two or third night. When I do taste my husbands fish or other protein I find I do not miss it at all.

[sos007 Ambassador in reply to Whatagame77]

Based on your dietary regimen you may wish to consider stopping statins altogether as your cholesterol is probably already at a good level.

Low cholesterol though, does not eliminate the risk of heart attack and strokes. Blood clot formation is the major risk factor for cardiovascular events so I encourage you to measure your fibrinogen, homocysteine and myeloperoxidase (MPO) values. If they are in the optimal range then you can have the confidence to eliminate your statins.

Remember to incorporate daily exercise, even if it is as simple as walking.

I'm dubious about the No Oil regimen - I consume liberal amounts of olive oil daily (I'm Greek) and as you can see from my blood metrics this has not had a detrimental effect on my health. My endothelium function test results also don't show a negative impact by the oil I consume. I do not use any other types of oils.

3,000 to 6,000 mg daily of Vitamin C also can reduce cholesterol by up to 20% so statins are not necessary. Another vitamin that reduces cholesterol naturally is Niacin. It causes a harmless flush but it is quite effective.

I take 2 x 500 mg doses of Niacin daily - once in the morning after breakfast and once in the evening after dinner.

Good luck.

[Paul12 in reply to sos007]

You say blood clot formation is the major risk - then the “ protector” is surely clopidogrel not statins?

[sos007 Ambassador in reply to Paul12]

To protect against a blood clot, I use curcumin supplements, vitamin E, B6 and folic acid supplements, along with one teaspoon of Ceylon or True Cinnamon daily. I also eat lots of green vegetables daily.

In my reading of the medical literature the efficacy of clopidogrel on its own was in question. It was meant to be used in concert with baby aspirin. I have been using baby aspirin all along although I'm trying to find a way to reduce or stop altogether.

My bypass was March 2015 and stenting was May 2015. I have not had any cardiovascular episodes since then and in monitoring my blood work my fibrinogen and homocysteine have moved into the optimal ranges with diet and supplementation.

I also engage in high intensity interval training every other day without any incidents so I must assume platelet stickiness is not issue in light of the available information from blood work and exercise activity.

As already noted - I don't support the use of statins.

[sandybrown in reply to Whatagame77]

Blood test results, medical information?

If we all can start in healthy food, educating children to eat health food, NHS may have very little problem!

Toast with butter or porridge for breakfast?

[sos007 Ambassador in reply to sandybrown]

I use organic, unsweetened almond butter on my breakfast toast daily. I use one slice of German style 100% multigrain bread. After adding the almond butter, I drizzle a very light amount of Greek honey (less than 1/4 teaspoon). I then dust on a layer of Ceylon or True Cinnamon (it is anti-inflammatory).

However, given the choice between toast and butter or porridge, porridge is much healthier by a large margin, assuming you use very little (a teaspoon or less) sugar or honey. Adding blueberries, blackberries or raspberries makes porridge even healthier and more tolerable if you're using little or no sugar. Frozen berries are healthier than fresh one since they are frozen at peak ripeness, whereas fresh ones tend to be transported over long distances and picked before ripeness. However, when in season, and locally available, fresh berries are better.

[Paul12 in reply to Whatagame77]

I stopped having porridge owing to its levels of Omega 6. I had an omega 6:3 index done and this was 7:1

[sos007 Ambassador in reply to Paul12]

Yes, well, I suppose it depends on the food company that packages it. I personally don't eat porridge as I find it hard to stomach without a lot of honey. Perhaps you can find one that is healthier - there must be one out there.

[Paul12]

Very interesting. How do you know you no longer need clopidogrel? How will you know you no longer - even every third day - need aspirin? Thank you

[sos007 Ambassador in reply to Paul12]

The clopidogrel was prescribed as part of the standard post-stenting and post-bypass treatment protocol, along with 81 mg of baby aspirin daily. The medical literature says that this treatment protocol is for only 12 months, so this medication was dropped automatically June of 2016.

Aspirin is a little trickier. I am monitoring my fibrinogen and homocysteine levels and will determine based on those if the every other day treatment is working. I plan to do the same if I go to every 3rd day.

IF, I get to that point, I plan to supplement with FruitFlow. fruitflowplus.com/

We'll see - this is likely going to take a while.

[Paul12 in reply to sos007]

If I understand you correctly, fibrinogen and homocysteine are key indicators if the “ thinness” of blood? I did read that aspirin and clopidogrel combined can be very risky...

[sos007 Ambassador in reply to Paul12]

This is probably why the aspirin-clopidogrel therapy is temporary and only for use for those who have had either stenting or bypass surgery.

[Andyman in reply to Paul12]

Paul12 when you say risky ....risky for what?????. What is the risk?

[Paul12 in reply to Andyman]

Major and minor bleeding

[Andyman in reply to Paul12]

Interesting thanks

[Kristicats in reply to sos007]

I tried going without aspirin for 3 weeks and developed very strange blood like spots on both legs and lower arms. This cleared up after being back on aspirin after a while. I presume it was clotting in the veins?

[sos007 Ambassador in reply to Kristicats]

I couldn't find any information regarding spots after stopping aspirin. In fact spots developed for people taking aspirin due to its blood-thinning properties.

Either way, in my case I don't plan to stop the aspirin right away. I'm experimenting with taking it on alternating days since its efficacy persists for several days even after stopping. Studies have show that taking low-dose aspirin every other day and even once every 3 days still provides protection.

[Animal77]

Sounds like you are doing well ,i also play ice hockey i am a level 2 hockey coach .

[sos007 Ambassador in reply to Animal77]

What country do you live in?

[Animal77 in reply to sos007]

UK , pal i was a semi pro here in the 90,s

[Patricia7048]

Well done!!! That sounds perfect. Wish i had reached your stage but im on my way!!!

[sos007 Ambassador in reply to Patricia7048]

Just stick to your plan and you'll get there.