On April 8th I post on this blog an article called The Cholesterol In Your Diet Might Be Causing Your Prostate Cancer To Spread (http://advancedprostatecancer.net/?p=5156). Since I published this I have received some feedback, which has included people asking if they should take statins to control their cholesterol levels. Statin drugs do help control cholesterol levels and might be a good alternative for some people, but all drugs come with side effects that need to be factored into the decision to take them.

Statins are often thought of as being a drug without any side effects. Although many people to take them without a major consequence they are not without potential consequences and side effects. Before taking any medication, including any statin, you should be aware of the potential side effects they can have.

The side effects can include:
Flushing of the skin
Muscle aches, tenderness, or weakness (myalgia)
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Nausea and or vomiting
Abdominal cramping or pain
Bloating or gas
Diarrhea
Constipation
Rash
Difficulty sleeping
Headache

****** Even more significant are the recently added FDA label warnings that statins also carry the risk of memory loss, mental confusion, high blood sugar, and type 2 diabetes

I firmly believe that prior to moving on to a drug it is best to search out alternative ways to combat a problem. In the case of controlling cholesterol levels there are in fact possible alternatives to statins, some of the alternatives not only might help control cholesterol levels, but they might also provide other general health benefits. These alternative ways of controlling your Cholesterol might include:

Eating a balanced, heart healthy diet
Getting regular physical activity
Limiting alcohol intake
Avoiding smoking

Joel T. Nowak, M.A., M.S.W.