What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You About Statins

Millions of people take statins every day to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Doctors prescribe them as if they are completely safe, but the truth is, statins come with serious risks that most people are never warned about.

At Intentional Wellness, Inc., I take a functional medicine approach to health, meaning I focus on getting to the root cause of high cholesterol and heart disease instead of relying on medications that only treat symptoms. If you’ve been prescribed statins, it’s important to understand the hidden dangers—and a better way to protect your heart naturally.

 

Why Cholesterol is NOT the Enemy

For years, we’ve been told that cholesterol causes heart disease, but this is a simplified and outdated theory. Cholesterol is actually essential for your health, and lowering it too much can do more harm than good.

Cholesterol is Vital for Every Cell in Your Body

Cholesterol is a building block for every cell membrane in your body. It helps keep your cells flexible and strong. If your cholesterol levels are too low, your cells can’t function properly, leading to problems with energy, healing, and overall health.

Your Brain and Hormones Depend on Cholesterol

Did you know that your brain is made up of about 60% fat, and much of that fat comes from cholesterol? Your brain needs cholesterol to function, and low cholesterol levels have been linked to memory problems, mood disorders, and even dementia. Cholesterol is also necessary to produce hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol, which regulate everything from stress to metabolism to reproductive health.

Cholesterol Helps Your Body Fight Inflammation

Inflammation, not cholesterol, is the real cause of heart disease. When your arteries become inflamed, cholesterol rises as a protective response to repair the damage. Instead of treating cholesterol like the problem, we should be asking, “What’s causing the inflammation in the first place?”

 

The Hidden Dangers of Statins

While statins may lower cholesterol numbers, they come with serious side effects that many doctors fail to mention. These risks can have long-term consequences for your overall health.

Statins Can Cause Muscle Damage and Weakness

One of the most common side effects of statins is muscle pain, weakness, and cramping. This happens because statins block an enzyme called CoQ10, which your muscles need for energy. Over time, this can lead to muscle loss and extreme fatigue. Some people even develop rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous condition where muscles break down, leading to kidney damage.

Statins Increase Your Risk of Diabetes

Studies show that taking statins raises blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is because statins interfere with insulin function, making it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar properly. For many people, the trade-off of lower cholesterol for a higher risk of diabetes simply isn’t worth it.

Statins Can Cause Memory Loss and Cognitive Decline

Because cholesterol is essential for brain function, lowering it too much can have serious consequences. Many statin users report brain fog, confusion, and memory loss. Research suggests that statins may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by reducing cholesterol in the brain.

Statins Deplete Essential Nutrients

Statins don’t just lower cholesterol—they also block the production of CoQ10, a vital nutrient that supports heart health, energy production, and muscle function. Low CoQ10 levels can lead to fatigue, muscle pain, and heart failure. Statins also reduce levels of other essential nutrients like vitamin K2, which is critical for strong bones and arterial health.

Statins May Not Even Reduce Heart Attack Risk

Many people assume that lowering cholesterol automatically prevents heart attacks, but the research isn’t that simple. Studies show that about 75% of people who have heart attacks actually have normal cholesterol levels. This suggests that cholesterol is not the main problem—inflammation, oxidative stress, and poor diet are the real culprits.

 

How to Protect Your Heart Naturally

Instead of relying on statins, functional medicine focuses on reducing inflammation and supporting heart health with natural solutions. Here’s how you can take control of your health:

Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

• Focus on Whole Foods – Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and high-quality protein to reduce inflammation and support heart health.
• Choose Healthy Fats – Include avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, and wild-caught fish to promote good cholesterol balance.
• Avoid Processed Carbs and Sugar – Refined grains and added sugars contribute to inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, which increase heart disease risk.

Support Healthy Cholesterol Levels Naturally

• Increase Fiber Intake – Fiber from vegetables, legumes, and flaxseeds helps remove excess cholesterol and supports gut health.
• Eat More Omega-3s – Fatty fish, flaxseeds, and chia seeds provide anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids that help balance cholesterol.
• Drink Green Tea – Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that can help reduce oxidized LDL, the form of cholesterol that actually contributes to plaque buildup.

Strengthen Your Heart with Key Nutrients

• CoQ10 – If you’ve ever taken statins (or want to prevent heart disease), supplementing with CoQ10 is essential for energy, muscle health, and heart function.
• Magnesium – Helps relax blood vessels, reducing blood pressure and supporting cardiovascular function.
• Vitamin K2 – Directs calcium into bones where it belongs, preventing artery calcification and reducing heart disease risk.

Exercise and Manage Stress

• Move Your Body Daily – Regular movement, such as walking, strength training, and yoga, improves circulation and cardiovascular health.
• Reduce Stress – Chronic stress increases inflammation and raises heart disease risk. Prioritize relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and quality sleep.

 

Take Control of Your Heart Health!

You don’t have to rely on statins to protect your heart. By focusing on real, root-cause solutions, you can naturally lower your risk of heart disease—without the dangerous side effects of medication.

At Intentional Wellness, Inc., Shannon can help you:

• Understand your true heart disease risk and what cholesterol numbers really mean

• Create a personalized nutrition and lifestyle plan to lower inflammation and support heart health

• Identify natural alternatives to statins that work with your body, not against it

Want to take a functional medicine approach to heart health? 
Sign up for health coaching with Shannon today!

Contact me to book your initial consultation!