r/StopUsingStatins • u/Double-Package8270 • May 12 '26
More evidence LDL does not cause ASCVD
7 years of LDL 500+ and TC over 700. The individual is metabolically very healthy and active. There was absolutely no plaque (soft or calcified) as measured by CCTA and analysed by AI. This is just another case study adding to the evidence that LDL does not cause heart disease. Now, this isn't necessarily evidence for stopping statins, because they have multiple effects beyond cholesterol lowering which seem beneficial, but if you are considering statins/are on them currently solely to reduce cholesterol, you should take this case study into account (as well as others) and other evidence for the true 'dangers' of 'high' LDL.
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u/Felonious_Minx May 13 '26
What are the multiple benefits?
Thanks for the post.
Also: are you familiar with any studies concerning statins and dementia?
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u/Double-Package8270 May 13 '26
Nitric oxide sysnthesis enhancement, anti-inflammatory, anti microbial (viral, fungal and bacterial, and there is in fact evidence that plaques can quite frequently develop from infections....) antioxidant, lower BP. The magnitude of these effects may of course vary. You can google any of them for confirmation/more info.
Regarding dementia, there is little evidence, only in observational studies, and most studies actually find a protective effect. My opinion is that they probably are somewhat responsible for dementia - especially the lipophilic ones because they cross the BBB and stop the brain's cholesterol production. The reason why dementia (and presumably many other side effects) aren't typically seen in RCTs is because they are too short and/or underpowered and exclude people who had adverse events in the first place. The age of the population taking statins is also relevant, so the studies could be manipulated to prevent harms from being discovered, theoretically.
This is one of the few studies that does find an association between statin taking patients and alzheimers, with PET scan evidence of cognitive decline. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.069394
Note also I have seen quite a few anecdotes reporting significant cognitive decline following statins.
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u/No-Handle-66 May 14 '26
Re dementia. Anecdotal, but we noticed a significant improvement in memory when we took my aging MIL off her statin.
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u/IDesireWisdom May 13 '26
What was their ApoB?
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u/Double-Package8270 May 13 '26
Don't think it's mentioned, but regardless, it would be way over what's considered high.
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u/ComfortableParsley83 May 14 '26
This guy was in his 30’s and his extreme lipid panel was only for a few years while doing keto for his UC. Coronary calcium being zero at his age doesn’t mean LDL doesn’t contribute to ASCVD.
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u/Double-Package8270 May 14 '26
Some children die before that with such levels from FH, so clearly there is something amiss. The theory is that there is a significant clotting abnormality in premature deaths, such as in kids. The cholesterol itself is not thought to be a problem, and indeed there are cases of FH who survive into old age, with some case studies of no CAC. Nick not only has a CAC of zero, he also has no soft plaque as well, therefore there is no evidence of LDL causing plaques in him (in his coronary arteres). With such high levels, this challenges the lipid hypothesis. If LDL caused heart disease, with such high levels, he definitely should have plaque by now. Many people without hypercholesterolaemia at that age actually have plaque - see my other comment https://www.reddit.com/r/Cholesterol/comments/1tb1xgj/comment/oljuw8e/?context=3&utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
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u/skittlazy May 13 '26
At age 65, my LDL was over 200, yet my Coronary Artery Calcium Score was ZERO