Statin drugs and vitamin D: A tale of reduction

Monday, January 13, 2014 by: Derrell Jones
Tags: vitamin D, statin drugs, cholesterol

(NaturalNews) Vitamin D and its role in our health have received a prominent spotlight, and for great reason. So much of what makes up great health depends on it. Unfortunately, vitamin D has come under attack from many seemingly well-meaning avenues. Our incessant, fear-driven approach to controlling cholesterol is one of the more insidious, unnoticed practices that robs us of our vitality and health.

Vitamin D deficiencies and your health

Vitamin D is not really a vitamin at all. It is a multifunctional miracle of the hormone family and is vitally important to help maintain a healthy immune system, strong bones and a positive mental outlook. It is estimated that nearly 33% of Americans suffer from vitamin D deficiencies. In 2010, a self-selected survey of "highly health-conscious" individuals found that 85% of those surveyed had less than optimum levels of vitamin D.

It is clear that vitamin D is necessary for life. It reduces heart disease, osteoporosis, depression, cancer, weight issues and all-cause mortality. Dr. Plotnikoff, who is the medical director of the Penny George Institute for Heath and Healing in Minneapolis, feels very strongly about vitamin D and chronic conditions. He stated rather plainly that maintaining optimal vitamin D levels is one of the single most cost-effective medical interventions you could find in the U.S. He noted that it has been firmly established to reduce all-cause mortality rates.

Reduce cholesterol, reduce Vitamin D

For over 30 years we have been conditioned to battle the "boogey man" known as cholesterol with a very powerful group of drugs called statins. Statins have been sold under various market names, such as Crestor or Lipitor, and have become a $31 billion per year industry within an industry. We have been convinced that at the core of our cardiovascular malaise lies cholesterol wreaking havoc on our collective hearts and arteries. But new (and old) research is coming to the forefront to combat the pharmaceutical propaganda machine with the truth.

Cholesterol is vitally important in hormone production. When cholesterol is indiscriminately reduced, it affects the body's ability to manufacture and utilize the very hormones that makes the body work. The simple fact of the matter is that no vitamin D production would be possible if it wasn't for our friend cholesterol (yes, I said friend)!

When we forcibly reduce our cholesterol, we reduce our ability to manufacture vitamin D; that allows illnesses to take hold, and it's a slippery slope from there.

Sources for this article include:

The Great Cholesterol Myth: Why Lowering Your Cholesterol Won't Prevent Heart Disease. Bowden, John Ph.D. and Sinatra, Stephen M.D. Quayside Publishers 2012.

Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. 2nd Edition. Trivieri, Larry. Anderson, John W. p. 842

The New Optimum Nutrition Bible. Holford, Patrick. Crossing Press 2007. p. 202

About the author:
Derrell is a Holistic Health Practitioner and Nutritional Consultant. His mission is to assist as many people as possible during a time when great health is stolen instead of fostered. Follow Derrell at thoughtfulhealth.blogspot.com or email him at [email protected]. If you are interested in toxin free nutritional and personal care products please visit thoughtfulhealth.mysiselpro.com.