Full Transcript Introduction to statin risks 0:01 If you're someone who was told you need 0:01 If you're someone who was told you need a statin for your cholesterol and you 0:03 a statin for your cholesterol and you 0:03 a statin for your cholesterol and you want to understand what those 0:04 want to understand what those 0:04 want to understand what those medications might be doing inside your 0:06 medications might be doing inside your 0:06 medications might be doing inside your body, not just lowering your number, but 0:09 body, not just lowering your number, but 0:09 body, not just lowering your number, but affecting your energy, your brain, and 0:11 affecting your energy, your brain, and 0:11 affecting your energy, your brain, and your muscles, and why so many patients 0:13 your muscles, and why so many patients 0:13 your muscles, and why so many patients still don't feel well despite good labs, 0:16 still don't feel well despite good labs, 0:16 still don't feel well despite good labs, I want to walk you through this based on 0:17 I want to walk you through this based on 0:18 I want to walk you through this based on patterns I've seen over years of 0:19 patterns I've seen over years of 0:19 patterns I've seen over years of clinical experience because this matters 0:21 clinical experience because this matters 0:21 clinical experience because this matters now before you simply stay on a 0:22 now before you simply stay on a 0:22 now before you simply stay on a medication long-term without fully 0:24 medication long-term without fully 0:24 medication long-term without fully understanding the trade-offs. And the 0:26 understanding the trade-offs. And the 0:26 understanding the trade-offs. And the question is, what are we missing? Hi, 0:28 question is, what are we missing? Hi, 0:28 question is, what are we missing? Hi, I'm Dr. Fred Bloom. I'm a holistic and 0:30 I'm Dr. Fred Bloom. I'm a holistic and 0:30 I'm Dr. Fred Bloom. I'm a holistic and integrated physician, and I help 0:31 integrated physician, and I help 0:31 integrated physician, and I help patients who are dealing with complex 0:32 patients who are dealing with complex 0:32 patients who are dealing with complex chronic health issues. People who've 0:34 chronic health issues. People who've 0:34 chronic health issues. People who've often seen multiple doctors and still 0:36 often seen multiple doctors and still 0:36 often seen multiple doctors and still don't feel well. If that sounds like 0:38 don't feel well. If that sounds like 0:38 don't feel well. If that sounds like you, make sure you like this video, 0:40 you, make sure you like this video, 0:40 you, make sure you like this video, subscribe to the channel, and sign up 0:42 subscribe to the channel, and sign up 0:42 subscribe to the channel, and sign up for my newsletter. And as you're 0:44 for my newsletter. And as you're 0:44 for my newsletter. And as you're listening, I'd really like to hear your 0:46 listening, I'd really like to hear your 0:46 listening, I'd really like to hear your experience. So, feel free to leave a 0:48 experience. So, feel free to leave a 0:48 experience. So, feel free to leave a comment below. Let's talk about why this
Cholesterol and body systems 0:50 comment below. Let's talk about why this 0:50 comment below. Let's talk about why this topic matters more than most people 0:52 topic matters more than most people 0:52 topic matters more than most people realize. Most people are told something 0:54 realize. Most people are told something 0:54 realize. Most people are told something very simple. Your cholesterol is high, 0:56 very simple. Your cholesterol is high, 0:56 very simple. Your cholesterol is high, statins lower cholesterol, low 0:58 statins lower cholesterol, low 0:59 statins lower cholesterol, low cholesterol reduces risk. And that 1:01 cholesterol reduces risk. And that 1:01 cholesterol reduces risk. And that sounds logical, but what's often missing 1:03 sounds logical, but what's often missing 1:03 sounds logical, but what's often missing is a deeper conversation about what 1:05 is a deeper conversation about what 1:05 is a deeper conversation about what cholesterol actually does in the body 1:07 cholesterol actually does in the body 1:07 cholesterol actually does in the body and what happens when we interfere with 1:10 and what happens when we interfere with 1:10 and what happens when we interfere with that system. Cholesterol is not just 1:12 that system. Cholesterol is not just 1:12 that system. Cholesterol is not just something that clogs arteries. It's part 1:15 something that clogs arteries. It's part 1:15 something that clogs arteries. It's part of your cell membranes. It's a building 1:17 of your cell membranes. It's a building 1:17 of your cell membranes. It's a building block for hormones, and it plays a role 1:20 block for hormones, and it plays a role 1:20 block for hormones, and it plays a role in brain function. So, when we lower 1:22 in brain function. So, when we lower 1:22 in brain function. So, when we lower cholesterol, we're not just lowering a 1:24 cholesterol, we're not just lowering a 1:24 cholesterol, we're not just lowering a number, we're influencing multiple 1:26 number, we're influencing multiple 1:26 number, we're influencing multiple systems at once. And this is where many 1:28 systems at once. And this is where many 1:28 systems at once. And this is where many patients start to feel confused because 1:30 patients start to feel confused because 1:31 patients start to feel confused because their labs improve, but they don't feel 1:33 their labs improve, but they don't feel 1:33 their labs improve, but they don't feel better. Sometimes they feel worse, and 1:36 better. Sometimes they feel worse, and 1:36 better. Sometimes they feel worse, and no one connects the dots. Over the 1:38 no one connects the dots. Over the 1:38 no one connects the dots. Over the years, I've seen a pattern. Patients 1:40 years, I've seen a pattern. Patients 1:40 years, I've seen a pattern. Patients come in with fatigue that didn't exist 1:42 come in with fatigue that didn't exist 1:42 come in with fatigue that didn't exist before, muscle pain that seems 1:44 before, muscle pain that seems 1:44 before, muscle pain that seems unexplained, and brain fog that 1:46 unexplained, and brain fog that 1:46 unexplained, and brain fog that gradually crept in. And when you go back 1:49 gradually crept in. And when you go back 1:49 gradually crept in. And when you go back in the timeline, very often there's one 1:52 in the timeline, very often there's one 1:52 in the timeline, very often there's one event that stands out. That's when I 1:54 event that stands out. That's when I 1:54 event that stands out. That's when I started my a 1:55 started my a 1:55 started my a Now, I want to be very clear. This is 1:57 Now, I want to be very clear. This is 1:57 Now, I want to be very clear. This is not about saying statins are good or 1:59 not about saying statins are good or 2:00 not about saying statins are good or bad. This is about understanding what 2:02 bad. This is about understanding what 2:02 bad. This is about understanding what they do and how that interacts with your 2:04 they do and how that interacts with your 2:05 they do and how that interacts with your biology. Because once you understand 2:07 biology. Because once you understand 2:07 biology. Because once you understand that, the conversation becomes much more 2:10 that, the conversation becomes much more 2:10 that, the conversation becomes much more intelligent. Let's go a little deeper.
The mechanism of statins 2:12 intelligent. Let's go a little deeper. 2:12 intelligent. Let's go a little deeper. Statins work by blocking an enzyme in 2:14 Statins work by blocking an enzyme in 2:14 Statins work by blocking an enzyme in the liver called HMG-CoA 2:17 the liver called HMG-CoA 2:17 the liver called HMG-CoA reductase. That enzyme is involved in 2:20 reductase. That enzyme is involved in 2:20 reductase. That enzyme is involved in cholesterol production, but is also 2:22 cholesterol production, but is also 2:22 cholesterol production, but is also involved in producing other important 2:24 involved in producing other important 2:24 involved in producing other important compounds. One of them is something 2:26 compounds. One of them is something 2:26 compounds. One of them is something called coenzyme Q10. CoQ10 is critical 2:30 called coenzyme Q10. CoQ10 is critical 2:30 called coenzyme Q10. CoQ10 is critical for mitochondrial function, and your 2:32 for mitochondrial function, and your 2:32 for mitochondrial function, and your mitochondria are responsible for 2:34 mitochondria are responsible for 2:34 mitochondria are responsible for producing energy. So, when coenzyme Q10 2:37 producing energy. So, when coenzyme Q10 2:37 producing energy. So, when coenzyme Q10 drops, energy production drops. And 2:40 drops, energy production drops. And 2:40 drops, energy production drops. And that's where patients often begin to 2:42 that's where patients often begin to 2:42 that's where patients often begin to notice fatigue. Not dramatic at first, 2:44 notice fatigue. Not dramatic at first, 2:44 notice fatigue. Not dramatic at first, just a little less energy and a little 2:46 just a little less energy and a little 2:46 just a little less energy and a little more effort to do the same things. And 2:49 more effort to do the same things. And 2:49 more effort to do the same things. And over time, it becomes their new normal.
Muscle pain and energy loss 2:52 over time, it becomes their new normal. 2:52 over time, it becomes their new normal. Now, let's talk about muscles. Muscle 2:54 Now, let's talk about muscles. Muscle 2:54 Now, let's talk about muscles. Muscle pain is one of the most commonly 2:56 pain is one of the most commonly 2:56 pain is one of the most commonly reported side effects of statins. But 2:58 reported side effects of statins. But 2:58 reported side effects of statins. But here's what's interesting. It's often 3:00 here's what's interesting. It's often 3:00 here's what's interesting. It's often dismissed. Patients are told that's not 3:03 dismissed. Patients are told that's not 3:03 dismissed. Patients are told that's not related or it's just aging. But when you 3:05 related or it's just aging. But when you 3:05 related or it's just aging. But when you understand the mechanism, reduced 3:08 understand the mechanism, reduced 3:08 understand the mechanism, reduced mitochondrial energy and reduced CoQ10, 3:11 mitochondrial energy and reduced CoQ10, 3:11 mitochondrial energy and reduced CoQ10, it starts to make sense. Muscles are 3:14 it starts to make sense. Muscles are 3:14 it starts to make sense. Muscles are energy dependent tissue. When energy 3:16 energy dependent tissue. When energy 3:16 energy dependent tissue. When energy production drops, muscles don't function 3:19 production drops, muscles don't function 3:19 production drops, muscles don't function the same way. They become more prone to 3:21 the same way. They become more prone to 3:21 the same way. They become more prone to soreness, weakness, and slower recovery. 3:24 soreness, weakness, and slower recovery. 3:24 soreness, weakness, and slower recovery. And I've seen patients who stopped 3:26 And I've seen patients who stopped 3:26 And I've seen patients who stopped exercising, not because they wanted to, 3:28 exercising, not because they wanted to, 3:28 exercising, not because they wanted to, but because it just didn't feel right 3:30 but because it just didn't feel right 3:30 but because it just didn't feel right anymore. Then there's the brain. The
Brain health and cognition 3:32 anymore. Then there's the brain. The 3:32 anymore. Then there's the brain. The brain is highly cholesterol dependent. 3:35 brain is highly cholesterol dependent. 3:35 brain is highly cholesterol dependent. It uses cholesterol for synapse 3:37 It uses cholesterol for synapse 3:37 It uses cholesterol for synapse formation, communication between 3:39 formation, communication between 3:39 formation, communication between neurons, and overall cognitive function. 3:42 neurons, and overall cognitive function. 3:42 neurons, and overall cognitive function. So, when cholesterol metabolism changes, 3:45 So, when cholesterol metabolism changes, 3:45 So, when cholesterol metabolism changes, some patients begin to notice subtle 3:47 some patients begin to notice subtle 3:47 some patients begin to notice subtle cognitive changes, word finding issues, 3:50 cognitive changes, word finding issues, 3:50 cognitive changes, word finding issues, slower thinking, and a sense of not 3:53 slower thinking, and a sense of not 3:53 slower thinking, and a sense of not being as sharp. Again, not everyone, but 3:57 being as sharp. Again, not everyone, but 3:57 being as sharp. Again, not everyone, but enough that it's a pattern. 3:59 enough that it's a pattern. 3:59 enough that it's a pattern. And when you hear the same story enough 4:01 And when you hear the same story enough 4:01 And when you hear the same story enough times, you start paying attention 4:03 times, you start paying attention 4:03 times, you start paying attention differently. Let me give you a patient
Clinical case study 4:05 differently. Let me give you a patient 4:06 differently. Let me give you a patient story. A man in his late 50s, 4:08 story. A man in his late 50s, 4:08 story. A man in his late 50s, successful, sharp, very active. He was 4:11 successful, sharp, very active. He was 4:11 successful, sharp, very active. He was started on a statin after a routine lab 4:14 started on a statin after a routine lab 4:14 started on a statin after a routine lab showed elevated LDL. Within a few 4:16 showed elevated LDL. Within a few 4:16 showed elevated LDL. Within a few months, he began noticing fatigue, then 4:19 months, he began noticing fatigue, then 4:19 months, he began noticing fatigue, then muscle soreness, and then something that 4:21 muscle soreness, and then something that 4:21 muscle soreness, and then something that concerned him even more. He felt 4:24 concerned him even more. He felt 4:24 concerned him even more. He felt mentally slower. He told me, "I can 4:27 mentally slower. He told me, "I can 4:27 mentally slower. He told me, "I can still do my job, but it takes more 4:29 still do my job, but it takes more 4:29 still do my job, but it takes more effort." No one had connected this to 4:32 effort." No one had connected this to 4:32 effort." No one had connected this to the medication. His labs looked better. 4:34 the medication. His labs looked better. 4:34 the medication. His labs looked better. So, from a conventional standpoint, 4:36 So, from a conventional standpoint, 4:36 So, from a conventional standpoint, everything was working, but from his 4:38 everything was working, but from his 4:38 everything was working, but from his perspective, he didn't feel like himself 4:41 perspective, he didn't feel like himself 4:41 perspective, he didn't feel like himself anymore. We didn't just stop the statin 4:43 anymore. We didn't just stop the statin 4:43 anymore. We didn't just stop the statin blindly. We stepped back. We looked at 4:45 blindly. We stepped back. We looked at 4:45 blindly. We stepped back. We looked at his overall cardiovascular risk, his 4:47 his overall cardiovascular risk, his 4:47 his overall cardiovascular risk, his inflammation markers, and his metabolic 4:50 inflammation markers, and his metabolic 4:50 inflammation markers, and his metabolic health, and we created a more nuanced 4:52 health, and we created a more nuanced 4:52 health, and we created a more nuanced plan. Over time, as we adjusted his 4:55 plan. Over time, as we adjusted his 4:55 plan. Over time, as we adjusted his approach, his energy improved, his 4:57 approach, his energy improved, his 4:57 approach, his energy improved, his clarity returned, and most importantly, 5:00 clarity returned, and most importantly, 5:00 clarity returned, and most importantly, he felt like himself again. This is 5:02 he felt like himself again. This is 5:02 he felt like himself again. This is where clinical interpretation becomes 5:04 where clinical interpretation becomes 5:04 where clinical interpretation becomes important, because medicine is not just 5:07 important, because medicine is not just 5:07 important, because medicine is not just about numbers. It's about patterns. It's 5:10 about numbers. It's about patterns. It's 5:10 about numbers. It's about patterns. It's about how systems interact. And it's 5:12 about how systems interact. And it's 5:12 about how systems interact. And it's about listening carefully when patients 5:14 about listening carefully when patients 5:14 about listening carefully when patients tell you something has changed. Now, who
Patient-centered care 5:17 tell you something has changed. Now, who 5:17 tell you something has changed. Now, who does this apply to? If you're on a 5:18 does this apply to? If you're on a 5:18 does this apply to? If you're on a statin and you feel completely fine, 5:21 statin and you feel completely fine, 5:21 statin and you feel completely fine, this may not apply to you, and that's 5:23 this may not apply to you, and that's 5:23 this may not apply to you, and that's important, because not every patient 5:25 important, because not every patient 5:25 important, because not every patient experiences side effects. But if you 5:27 experiences side effects. But if you 5:27 experiences side effects. But if you have a very high cardiovascular risk, a 5:29 have a very high cardiovascular risk, a 5:29 have a very high cardiovascular risk, a statin may be an appropriate part of 5:31 statin may be an appropriate part of 5:31 statin may be an appropriate part of your care. But if you started a statin 5:33 your care. But if you started a statin 5:33 your care. But if you started a statin and since then you've noticed fatigue, 5:36 and since then you've noticed fatigue, 5:36 and since then you've noticed fatigue, muscle pain, or changes in your mental 5:39 muscle pain, or changes in your mental 5:39 muscle pain, or changes in your mental clarity, this is worth exploring, not 5:41 clarity, this is worth exploring, not 5:41 clarity, this is worth exploring, not assuming, exploring, and doing that in a 5:44 assuming, exploring, and doing that in a 5:44 assuming, exploring, and doing that in a thoughtful, individualized way. And 5:46 thoughtful, individualized way. And 5:46 thoughtful, individualized way. And there's nuance here. Sometimes, it's not 5:48 there's nuance here. Sometimes, it's not 5:48 there's nuance here. Sometimes, it's not the statin alone. It's the interaction 5:51 the statin alone. It's the interaction 5:51 the statin alone. It's the interaction between the statin and other factors. 5:54 between the statin and other factors. 5:54 between the statin and other factors. Nutrient deficiencies, mitochondrial 5:55 Nutrient deficiencies, mitochondrial 5:55 Nutrient deficiencies, mitochondrial stress, inflammation, and hormonal 5:57 stress, inflammation, and hormonal 5:57 stress, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance. This is where a systems-based 6:00 imbalance. This is where a systems-based 6:00 imbalance. This is where a systems-based approach becomes valuable because you're 6:02 approach becomes valuable because you're 6:02 approach becomes valuable because you're not just asking, is this drug lowering 6:05 not just asking, is this drug lowering 6:05 not just asking, is this drug lowering cholesterol? You're asking, what is this 6:08 cholesterol? You're asking, what is this 6:08 cholesterol? You're asking, what is this doing to the whole person? And this is 6:10 doing to the whole person? And this is 6:10 doing to the whole person? And this is where many patients feel dismissed 6:12 where many patients feel dismissed 6:13 where many patients feel dismissed because their experience doesn't match 6:15 because their experience doesn't match 6:15 because their experience doesn't match the textbook. And when that happens, 6:17 the textbook. And when that happens, 6:17 the textbook. And when that happens, they stop trusting their own body. They 6:20 they stop trusting their own body. They 6:20 they stop trusting their own body. They stop asking questions, and they assume 6:22 stop asking questions, and they assume 6:23 stop asking questions, and they assume this is just how life is now. It doesn't 6:25 this is just how life is now. It doesn't 6:25 this is just how life is now. It doesn't have to be that way. There is room for a 6:28 have to be that way. There is room for a 6:28 have to be that way. There is room for a more thoughtful conversation. So, here's 6:30 more thoughtful conversation. So, here's 6:30 more thoughtful conversation. So, here's the takeaway. Statins can be helpful for 6:33 the takeaway. Statins can be helpful for 6:33 the takeaway. Statins can be helpful for certain patients, but they are not 6:35 certain patients, but they are not 6:35 certain patients, but they are not neutral. They affect multiple systems. 6:38 neutral. They affect multiple systems. 6:38 neutral. They affect multiple systems. And if something changes in how you feel 6:41 And if something changes in how you feel 6:41 And if something changes in how you feel after starting one, that deserves 6:44 after starting one, that deserves 6:44 after starting one, that deserves attention, not dismissal. And I'll leave 6:46 attention, not dismissal. And I'll leave 6:46 attention, not dismissal. And I'll leave you with a few questions. Has anyone 6:49 you with a few questions. Has anyone 6:49 you with a few questions. Has anyone ever explained statins to you this way? 6:51 ever explained statins to you this way? 6:52 ever explained statins to you this way? If you've taken a statin, did you notice 6:54 If you've taken a statin, did you notice 6:54 If you've taken a statin, did you notice any changes, good or bad, that no one 6:56 any changes, good or bad, that no one 6:56 any changes, good or bad, that no one connected at the time? And would you 6:58 connected at the time? And would you 6:58 connected at the time? And would you want me to go deeper into how to 7:00 want me to go deeper into how to 7:00 want me to go deeper into how to evaluate cardiovascular risk beyond just 7:03 evaluate cardiovascular risk beyond just 7:03 evaluate cardiovascular risk beyond just cholesterol? I'm curious what your 7:06 cholesterol? I'm curious what your 7:06 cholesterol? I'm curious what your experience has been. 7:08 experience has been. 7:08 experience has been. >> [music]
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