(NaturalHealth365)  Although statins are touted to protect cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol levels, many holistic physicians argue that these drugs do not lower your risk of heart disease.  In truth, these drugs are only designed to lower LDL cholesterol and actually increase the risk of many unwanted side effects.  Tragically, in too many cases, people remain uninformed about the fatal threats of this type of medication.

For example, remember the “Ice Bucket Challenge?”  Well, hopefully, you remember the disease that the viral challenge was raising money (and awareness) for.  That disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease – clinically known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS – is thought to occur “sporadically” due to statin usage, according to the ALS Association.

Yet, sadly, stunning new research reveals a possible driving factor behind these “sporadic cases” of ALS: statins – the popular class of drugs used to lower cholesterol.

How taking statins can threaten your future health, according to a shocking report

Lipitor®, is just one of the many different cholesterol-lowering drugs on the market and generates billions of dollars for Pfizer.  The numbers are almost hard to believe, with well over 40 million people taking these drugs, in the U.S. alone!

However, in a recent study, researchers from California found that this class of drugs was associated with having an increased risk for ALS or ALS-like symptoms.

And, just to be clear, ALS is a serious nervous system disorder that leads to progressive and irreversible loss of muscle strength.  Sadly, ALS is fatal, and currently, there is no cure.

The study’s researchers, who published their findings in the journal Drug Safety, analyzed data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System to determine statin drugs’ reporting odds ratios (RORs) and their link to ALS.

Higher RORs mean a higher percentage of risk – in this case, for the “adverse effect” of ALS or ALS-like symptoms.

Here are the RORs they determined based on their statistical analysis:

• Atorvastatin (Lipitor®) has a ROR of 17
• Simvastatin (Zocor®) has a ROR of 23
• Lovastatin (Altoprev®) has a ROR of 107
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor®) has a ROR of 9.09

Keep in mind that most statisticians believe that a ROR of 6 or higher is suggestive of probable cause.

The researchers conclude based on their data:  “These findings extend previous evidence showing that significantly elevated ALS reporting extends to individual statin agents and add to concerns about potential elevated occurrence of ALS-like conditions in association with statin usage.”

If you’re taking statins, talk to a holistic physician about a safer alternative for heart health

We already know that statins increase the risk of memory loss, heart disease, and other conditions.  We also already know that cholesterol is a modern-day bogeyman for whom public fear is – in many cases – unjustified.

Now, this alarming news about a link between statins and the fatal and devastating disease known as ALS puts even more questions on this dangerous class of drugs.

Of course, while you should never start or stop medications without consulting with your doctor, you should feel free to ask about how you can get yourself off these drugs if at all possible.  The serious risks, in many cases, outweigh the potential rewards.

Editor’s note: Find out how to avoid the threat of a heart attack or stroke, own the Cardiovascular Docu-Class created by NaturalHealth365 Programs.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
ALSA.org
Springer.com
NIH.gov
Healthimpactnews.com