We thought we left fads behind with our teen years. But we didn’t. They’re back in a sneaky new form.
Because if you’re over 75, there’s a 50-50 chance you’re engaging in the world’s WORST fad right now. But this time, it’s not a hula hoop, a pet rock, or a wild hairstyle.
It’s a DRUG… two, in fact. Statins and aspirin, to be specific.
I know, it’s not what you think of when you think of fads. But look at it this way. These meds are ridiculously bad… incredibly common… and will fill you with regret when you look back on them one day.
Sounds like a fad to me.
But there’s a way to make them go the way of polyester and disco. And I’ve got just what you need to start the demolition.
Ending the WORST fad of ALL time
Think of EVERYONE you know over the age of 75. Half of them (maybe even YOU) are taking meds under a false assumption. In fact, they’re taking drugs that even the experts and the guidelines warn against:
- 45 percent take aspirin as a blood thinner
- 56 percent take statins for cholesterol control
But there’s a terrible irony to these meds. The older you are, the LESS likely you’ll see a benefit. While at the same time, you’re MORE likely to be hurt by their potential side effects.
That’s why doctors have been warned to stop prescribing these drugs in most cases to older seniors. And that’s especially true for patients with no specific history of a heart attack or stroke.
One recent study, for example, found that daily aspirin cuts the risk of heart attack and stroke by 17 percent. But aspirin ALSO raises the risk of dangerous gastrointestinal bleeding by 47 percent and bleeding in the brain by a third. That’s not a trade-off ANYONE should be willing to make.
Here’s a better idea. Talk with your doctor about giving omega-3 fatty acids and curcumin a try. They can help thin the blood and protect the heart in some cases. But when they do the job, they manage it WITHOUT that bleeding risk.
Next up: Statins.
Statin drugs could be BAD NEWS for older seniors
Despite all the focus on lowering cholesterol and getting EVERYONE on statins, the fact is you NEED the stuff. Something most doctors fail to explain.
Plus, obsessing over your LDL levels is a waste of time if you’re not considering other factors, including particle size, oxidation, and remnant cholesterol. (Click here to find out the truth about cholesterol that even your own doctor might not know.)
Big, fluffy, undamaged LDL particles pass right through the blood vessels. Meanwhile, small damaged ones stick to the walls forming those nasty buildups that lead to hardening and other problems.
Astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant. That means it can block the damage of oxidative stress and could help stop that damage from happening to LDL particles, so they stay big, fluffy, and harmless.
Of course, don’t quit meds on your own, especially aspirin. Stopping either drug suddenly can trigger a whole new set of problems.
But if you’re on aspiring or statins yourself, talk to your doc about whether or not you REALLY need them and about these safer alternatives. And that’s especially true if you’re past the age of 75.
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