I'm working on a long post (maybe a series) about the relationship between cholesterol and PCa. With the recurring suggestion that PCa patients should consider adding a statin drug to their treatment plan, this BBC article might give some of you reason for pause.
" . . . Over the years, Golomb has collected reports from patients across the United States – tales of broken marriages, destroyed careers, and a surprising number of men who have come unnervingly close to murdering their wives. In almost every case, the symptoms began when they started taking statins, then promptly returned to normal when they stopped; one man repeated this cycle five times before he realised what was going on."
It also explores the long-term use of acetaminophen (paracetamol in the UK)
"The results revealed that paracetamol (acetaminophen) significantly reduces our ability to feel positive empathy – a result with implications for how the drug is shaping the social relationships of millions of people every day. Though the experiment didn’t look at negative empathy – where we experience and relate to other people’s pain – Mischkowski suspects that this would also be more difficult to summon after taking the drug."
What is apparent in all research on statins and PCa that I have seen so far is that they compare patients who obviously had high cholesterol and were prescribed statins to a population who are on a SAD and also consume animal products that add large amounts of "external" cholesterol to their metabolism. Since cholesterol is a major player in PCa and most other cancers, the question remains, "Are statins responsible for the observed benefits or is it the reduction in overall cholesterol?". Seems it may yet be another case of correlation not proven to = causation. I will not be convinced until I see a trial that compares vegans to SAD+statins. (I'm not going to be holding my breath while I wait for that one.)
Have Good Weekend & Be Well - Captain K9
PS Here in my hometown in Eastern NC, I saw a cherry tree blooming today. Projected temps for next six days is for 70s!
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cujoe
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As Nalakrats said, the body still needs cholesterol... A study to compare the Standard American diet + a statin like Atorvastatin or Rosuvastatin VS. a vegan diet in PCa... Unlikely we will see it and if we did, unless there was a significant difference in outcomes, then I doubt people would change... What they have found is that excessively low LDL cholesterol can increase risk for hemorrhagic stroke:
For me, I eat meat one time a day and supplement for my protein with protein powder... I have used statins for over 10 years and based on this study decreased my risk to die of prostate cancer by 33%--please note--epidemiological study..
A Fisherman's Science Blast From The Past. I'm saving any specific comments on cholesterol and PCa for my future post(s). Enjoy you weekend and your break from winter weather as well. Later - K9
Proof positive that we are all individuals and whether speaking of diet, lifestyle, or, more importantly, treatments for high cholesterol or cancer, SOC needs to be challenged by every patient.
A post some time back by a PCa patient who wore a glucose monitor and logged his dietary intake provides a great example of why generalities do not always apply to the individual. In his case, he found that foods that should have caused a glucose spike often did not - and those that should not, did. He was able to tweak his food choices and get a daily smoothed glucose graph vs one with sharp spikes.
The posted article was sent to me by my nephew to maybe explain a possible cause for some of the irrational behavior of his mom (my sister) during the 12 years she was treated for cancer. During most of that time she was on cholesterol meds and taking (on MDs orders) 1200mg of acetaminophen 2 x per day. Did either of those meds cause her abnormal behavior? Well, since she was also continually on other cancer meds and had bone metastases over that same period, it would be difficult to attribute any aspect of her disposition to any one medical intervention. In her case, she was actually a role model for continuing an active and independent lifestyle in spite of the debilitating effects of her disease and treatments.
That said, the article is food for thought for those who think that widely prescribed pharma products are safe and without side effects for any and all people who take them. Add to that the fact that many people are seeing several medical specialists (in my case, currently 8), and the caveat emptor rule applies to any and all medications we take. In addition to doing your own research on all drugs and supplements (side effects, interactions, & contraindications), it is a very good idea to keep an updated listing of all meds and bring it to each appointment.
Thanks for the article. Its general point, that drugs are often prescribed without considering their effects on the whole human being, including personality, is almost beyond dispute. In general we are often given drugs without complete information on side effects, even when those effects are known. Another anecdotal case, my own, is that it took several years to figure out that cardizem was involved in mood swings and a general depressive effect (quite some years ago now). The strangest times were when the dose was gradually lowered and then stopped, and each time I became euphoric--not to the point of doing anything foolish, but I felt like I could fly.
Thanks for sharing & welcome back to the boring old "real world"? Good to fly high, but better to be able to come in for a safe landing. Glad you were able to do both.
Well, now I have to unlearn what I thought I had learned and learn something different. That's why the "pay attention" part is the most important part.
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