Matters of the Heart | Creatine Safety
From eNewsletter March 20, 2023
DID YOU KNOW that for those who don't know their blood type, there is another way to find out besides donating blood or getting a blood test at a lab?
For those who prefer to type their blood at the comfort of their own home, there are at-home blood type kits. For just $7.50 on amazon.com, if you are willing to use a lancer on your fingertip, you can type your blood at home in about 6 minutes.
 
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Matters of the Heart
Steve: There were three very important studies published in the last two weeks that warrant our undivided attention.
Inflammation
The first study from The Lancet reiterated what we have been saying forever. If you are taking statin medication and think you're out of the woods with regard to cardiac health, think again.
The authors' conclusion from this sweeping study in those currently taking statins:
"Inflammatory risk was significantly associated with incident major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. By contrast, the relationship of cholesterol risk was neutral for major adverse cardiovascular events, and of low magnitude for cardiovascular death and all-cause death. Among patients receiving statins, inflammation assessed by high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein was a stronger predictor for risk of future cardiovascular events and death than cholesterol."
As you have heard from Bonnie and I ad nauseam, inflammation is 50% of your cardiac risk. Cholesterol is only 25% of your risk with triglycerides being the other 25%. When inflammation is addressed first, it usually eliminates the need for statins because cholesterol often goes down as well (except for those with familial hypercholesterolemia).
Ketogenic Diet
The second study, just presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session with the World Congress of Cardiology suggests that the ketogenic or "keto" diet, which involves consuming very low amounts of carbohydrates and high amounts of fats, may be associated with a twofold heightened risk of cardiovascular events such as chest pain (angina), blocked arteries requiring stenting, heart attacks and strokes.
The ketogenic diet has a purpose for those with very select health issues, but the fact that it has become the "fad diet du jour" is dangerous.
Statin Alternative?
Is there another new drug emerging for treating high cholesterol for those who do not tolerate or are unwilling to take statins?
A study from New England Journal of Medicine found the use of bempedoic acid (Nexletol, Esperion) brought about a significant reduction in cardiovascular events in patients intolerant to statins.
The drug lowered LDL cholesterol by 21% in the study and reduced the composite primary endpoint, including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or coronary revascularization, by 13%; MI was reduced by 23% and coronary revascularization, by 19%.
Let's slow our roll. The drug affects energy pathways like statins, thus it still has a proclivity for muscle pain issues. A slight increased risk of gout and tendon rupture were indicated as well.
With so many other lifestyle measures that can compare to this drug in risk reduction, I would wait a few years for more post-market safety data.