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'''Statins''' are [[cholesterol]]-reducing drugs. The widespread opinion is that statins are among the most successful drugs ever developed, and that they have prevented millions of strokes and heart attacks. This opinion is debatable.

Statins are [[cholesterol]]-reducing drugs. The widespread opinion is that statins are among the most successful drugs ever developed, and that they have prevented millions of strokes and heart attacks. This opinion is debatable.

==THE STATIN CONTROVERSY==

==THE STATIN CONTROVERSY==

''Statins do much more than helping protecting against cholesterol-plaque build-up in arteries and from heart attacks: they reduce inflamation in veins, reduce fracture risk in osteoporosis, slow down progression of Alzheimer's disease and congestive heart failure, and may help acceptance of transplanted organs, and produce anti-inflammatory effects, antioxidant effects and antithrombotic effects.''

''Statins do much more than helping protecting against cholesterol-plaque build-up in arteries and from heart attacks: they reduce inflamation in veins, reduce fracture risk in osteoporosis, slow down progression of Alzheimer's disease and congestive heart failure, and may help acceptance of transplanted organs, and produce anti-inflammatory effects, antioxidant effects and antithrombotic effects.''

- and  from yet another reliable article<ref>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) Management and General Practice, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners), April 13, 2012</ref>:

- and  from yet another reliable article:<ref>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) Management and General Practice, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners), April 13, 2012</ref>

''Statins slightly improve functioning of kidneys and slows down deterioration of kidneys caused by aging.

''Statins slightly improve functioning of kidneys and slows down deterioration of kidneys caused by aging.

''

''

'''
Now the opposing opinions:'''

''' Now the opposing opinions:'''

Researchers have found <ref>Statin drugs cause liver damage, kidney failure and cataracts, says British Medical Journal, (BMJ), November 07, 2010 by: David Gutierrez, [http://www.naturalnews.com/030317_statin_drugs_liver_damage.html Naturalnews.com]</ref> that statins did lower the risk of heart disease, saving 271 people for every 10,000 treated. In other words, for each person whom statins saved from a heart disease, 33 men or 37 women are treated without any beneficial effect, but with large expenses and a comparably-small risk of severe damages in other areas of the body: 74 develop liver dysfunction, 23 develop kidney renal failure (catastrophic), 307 develop cataracts, 39 a muscle disease, some rhabdomyolysis, a catastrophic decomposition of muscles, followed by kidney failure.

Researchers have found <ref>Statin drugs cause liver damage, kidney failure and cataracts, says British Medical Journal, (BMJ), November 07, 2010 by: David Gutierrez, [http://www.naturalnews.com/030317_statin_drugs_liver_damage.html Naturalnews.com]</ref> that statins did lower the risk of heart disease, saving 271 people for every 10,000 treated. In other words, for each person whom statins saved from a heart disease, 33 men or 37 women are treated without any beneficial effect, but with large expenses and a comparably-small risk of severe damages in other areas of the body: 74 develop liver dysfunction, 23 develop kidney renal failure (catastrophic), 307 develop cataracts, 39 a muscle disease, some rhabdomyolysis, a catastrophic decomposition of muscles, followed by kidney failure.

In another study (the CARE trial) 5.7% of people who had had a previous heart attack, had another attack within five years if they were not using statins, and 4.6% if they were using statins -  about one percentage point of credit for statins.  

In another study (the CARE trial) 5.7% of people who had had a previous heart attack, had another attack within five years if they were not using statins, and 4.6% if they were using statins -  about one percentage point of credit for statins.  


- and a short quotation from another article <ref>[http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Atherosclerosis/20232 Medpagetoday.com]  Noncardiac benefits of statins found lacking, By Kristina Fiore, Staff Writer, MedPage Today, Published: May 21, 2010 Reviewed by Dori F. Zaleznik, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston and Dorothy Caputo, MA, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, Nurse Planner</ref>:

- and a short quotation from another article:<ref>[http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Atherosclerosis/20232 Medpagetoday.com]  Noncardiac benefits of statins found lacking, By Kristina Fiore, Staff Writer, MedPage Today, Published: May 21, 2010 Reviewed by Dori F. Zaleznik, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston and Dorothy Caputo, MA, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, Nurse Planner</ref>

''"Claims of unintended benefits of statins appear to be largely unsubstantiated and known risks -- including liver and renal problems and myopathy -- confirmed, British researchers concluded based on findings from a large prospective open cohort study"''

''"Claims of unintended benefits of statins appear to be largely unsubstantiated and known risks -- including liver and renal problems and myopathy -- confirmed, British researchers concluded based on findings from a large prospective open cohort study"''

==A POSSIBLE RESOLUTION OF THE STATIN CONTROVERSY==

==A POSSIBLE RESOLUTION OF THE STATIN CONTROVERSY==

The controversy is so strong, it has been lasting for so long time, and the question is so important, that Consumer Reports, a non-profit organization whose objectivity has never been questioned, has stepped in and issued their report<ref>Evaluating statin drugs to treat: high cholesterol and heart disease, comparing effectiveness, safety and price. [http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/statins.htm Consumer Reports on statins]</ref>, which provides a balanced and cautious, yet encouraging guidance: who should use statins, what kind of statins, and how much that will cost. That paper consists of several forms of the report, ranging from a full report, down to a simplistic summary.

The controversy is so strong, it has been lasting for so long time, and the question is so important, that Consumer Reports, a non-profit organization whose objectivity has never been questioned, has stepped in and issued their report,<ref>Evaluating statin drugs to treat: high cholesterol and heart disease, comparing effectiveness, safety and price. [http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/statins.htm Consumer Reports on statins]</ref> which provides a balanced and cautious, yet encouraging guidance: who should use statins, what kind of statins, and how much that will cost. That paper consists of several forms of the report, ranging from a full report, down to a simplistic summary.

Neutral advice: People who decide to use statins, should ask their Doctors to periodically check the kidney functions all the time the statins are used, plus up to three years after statin use discontinued, since that is how long statins’ side effects on kidneys last.

Neutral advice: People who decide to use statins, should ask their Doctors to periodically check the kidney functions all the time the statins are used, plus up to three years after statin use discontinued, since that is how long statins’ side effects on kidneys last.