Statin Drugs Under Siege
The FDA originally approved statin drugs for people in imminent danger
of heart disease. Recently, a campaign has been instituted to get these
drugs (such as Baycol, Mevacor, Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol, Lescol) into
as many patient hands as possible. Many of our customers used these drugs
prior to discovering ProFibe or use the medication in conjunction with ProFibe.
Many of these people have experienced rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening
condition which causes muscle cells to be destroyed and released into the
bloodstream. It can cause severe muscle pain, usually in the calves and
lower back. Occasionally it is so severe, a person develops potentially
fatal kidney failure. Symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include muscle pain, weakness,
tenderness, fever, dark urine, nausea and vomiting.
The media has reported that Baycol, a prescription medication for lowering
LDL cholesterol, was pulled from shelves in early August after being linked
to at least 31 deaths in this country and 9 more in Europe. This particular
medication was reviewed for almost a year before the FDA approved it in 1997.
CerBurg believes statin drugs can benefit humanity but they must be used
properly. Continuous dialogue with our customers leaves us believing not much
attention is paid to liver functions or even whether the patient should be
on these drugs. Some customers tell us they have experienced the muscle pain,
normally in the calves, and have told their doctors, without much response.
Some physicians are prescribing multiple medications that may not necessarily
be appropriate to take together. In 12 of the U.S. deaths related to this
withdrawn medication, patients were taking both the LDL-lowering prescription
medication Baycol (cerivastatin) and Lopid (gemfibrozil).
If you are on any of the statin drugs and have not tried ProFibe, we strongly
encourage you to do so.
If you are on a conjunctive program, ProFibe and a statin drug, try to take
the ProFibe religiously so you can attempt to lower the amount of statin drug
as much as possible. Please work with your physician to accomplish your goal.
Remember, every milligram of a statin prescription you eliminate reduces your
risk of severe side effects. Millions of people take these statin drugs every
year. The risk factor is ordinarily very low. However, we firmly believe you
should never take any medication if it isn't necessary. If you experience
any joint or muscle pain speak to your doctor immediately. Make him or her
listen to you.
Here is a perfect example of a statin drug recommendation that may not even
be necessary. The husband's physician said he was fine, yet recommended statin
drug therapy for the wife.
He She
214 Total Cholesterol 230
41 HDL 83
141 LDL 18
160 Triglycerides 92
32 VLDL 18
3.43:1 HDL/LDL ratio 1.55:1
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The wife called the CerBurg office concerned about her cholesterol numbers.
Her doctor wanted to put her on a statin drug. She said her husband's cholesterol
level was better than hers. I asked for the numbers for both of them. As you
can see, this young lady looked at the 'total cholesterol' number only instead
of what makes up the total cholesterol. Although her total cholesterol was
slightly higher than her husband's, he is at a higher risk than she is. It
is not uncommon for people to do the same analysis. You have to look at the
ratio. Any ratio that is 3 to 1 or less (3 LDL to 1 HDL) is pretty good. The
next step is to evaluate other risk factors: heart disease, blockage, genetics,
lifestyles, etc.
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STUDY: Grapefruit Pectin Inhibits Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclerosis
in Miniature Swine
Clin. Cardiol. li. 595-600 (1988)
P.A. BAEKLEY M.D. R.W. RICE, B.A. Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology,
Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pathology, and Pharmacy Services,
University of Florida Collage of Medicine, Gainesville, Fla. U.S.A.
J. CERDA, M.D. T.G. BAUMGARTNER, PHARRN.D.
C.W. BURGIN F.L. ROBBINS, B.S.
Summary: We studied the effect of dietary grapefruit pectin on plasma cholesterol
and the development of atherosclerosis in 18 miniature swine. Pigs were randomized
to one of three diets: no added fat (I), added fat / cellulose (II), and added
fat/pectin (HI).
Plasma cholesterol was measured monthly. Arteries were examined for atherosclerosis
at the termination of the experiment. Pectin supplementation of an added fat
diet resulted in a significantly lower average plasma cholesterol than did
cellulose supplementation (1 68 mg/ dl vs. 249 mg/dI, p <0.05).
The pectin-fed pigs also developed less atherosclerosis of their aortas (1.1
percent vs. 7 percent p<0.05) and coronary arteries (2.9 percent vs. 26.2
percent cross-sectional narrowing, p<0.05).
Plasma cholesterol levels correlated severity of aortic (r=0.836) and coronary
artery (r=0.735) atherosclerosis.
We conclude dietary grapefruit pectin supplementation inhibits hypercholesterolemia
and appears to be proportionately protective against atherosclerosis.
From the CerBurg Fan Club
Gentlemen:
I began taking ProFibe in the latter part of 1998. It had all the desirable
affects as stated in your brochure. In addition to lowering my LDL-C, my vision
improved. It was just at that time my ophthalmologist indicated there was
nothing further to be done to improve my vision. I was an active 77-year-old
at the time and concerned that if I were unable to drive I would be homebound.
Gradually, in the ensuing year while working at my computer, I found that
print I hadn't been able to read was now readable. At the following annual
eye checkup, my doctor told me that I hadn't just imagined my improved vision.
Last November my doctor told me the arteries behind my eyes were clear with
the exception of one small branch that still showed blockage, but not enough
to affect my vision.
Thank you,
G.M.W.
Everett, PA.
Jan. 31, 2001
Subject: Hurray for ProFibe
I have used ProFibe now for 18 months. The first year my total cholesterol
dropped to 145 (LDL 75 and HDL 60). 1 have had two heart attacks and congestive
heart failure with a triple bypass, all prior to taking the incredible ProFibe.
I am telling you all this because in February 1999 1 was told by my cardiologist
that I needed a heart transplant. You can imagine where I sank to.
I had the great fortune to read an article by Dr. David Williams on the merits
of your product. I started taking ProFibe on July 16,1999. 1 am happy to report
that my heart has improved unbelievably. Guess what? No heart transplant!!!
I just can't say enough about ProFibe.
Sincerely yours,
B. McK.
April 09, 2001
Dear CerBurg-ers
Five years ago I left Florida Hospital in Orlando, Fla. with two clogged
arteries. Five years prior to that I had an angioplasty in Spokane, Wash.
and a cholesterol reading of 350. At Florida Hospital the cholesterol reading
was slightly below 300. Three weeks ago the reading was 170.
And those two dogged arteries, which gave me angina pains? They are unclogged
and the plaque on the waus is gone. I have not had any angina symptoms for
some months now.
I am amazed and grateful that I read Jean Carper's article referencing ProFibe
about four years ago. I just don't understand why the medical profession doesn't
embrace ProFibe.
Sincerely,
J.S.
Aug. 4, 2001
CerBurg receives hundreds of testimonials every year. It makes us extremely
happy that the almost 20 years of research on swine is being transferred to
humans. These testimonials validate the research efforts of Dr. Cerda and
Charles Burgin. If you have had similar regression results, we would like
to hear from you so we can share your success with others.
A word of caution: If you are in imminent danger of a heart attack or other
complication due to blockage, do not bet your life on ProFibe or anything
else to avoid surgery. As you can tell from the above testimonials, it takes
time for possible regression to take place. Also remember that homocysteine
and ferritin levels are also very critical. Homocysteine levels should be
under 16 mmol/l and ferritin levels from 70 to 150.
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CONJUNCTIVE STUDY
The following case studies were intended to evaluate the effects of ProFibe
in the presence of continued elevated LDL-C and elevated triglycerides while
the subjects were on prescription medications for lowering cholesterol.
Considering ProFibe does not channel through the liver, as prescription medications
do, we wanted to ascertain if LDL-C could be further reduced while the subjects
maintained the same levels of prescription medications. Normally ProFibe will
not address triglyceride levels by itself, so we wanted to determine if in
the presence of a medication such as Lopid (which is used to lower triglycerides),
ProFibe could aid in lowering the LDL-C and reducing the triglycerides further.
The final issue we wanted to evaluate was if ProFibe would interfere with
prescription medications, as many primary care physicians seem to believe.
The answer is "no".
Case Study I
A 55-year-old white male taking 600 mg Lopid twice/day. His total cholesterol
was 278 and his triglycerides were 160. After taking ProFibe three times per
day for 30 days with the Lopid, the total cholesterol dropped to 169 and the
triglycerides were reduced to 140.
Case Study 11
A 41-year-old white male taking 600 mg Lopid twice/day. His total cholesterol
was 218 and his triglycerides were 540. After taking ProFibe three times per
day for 30 days with the Lopid, the total cholesterol dropped to 182 and the
triglycerides were reduced to 170.
Case Study III
A 58-year-old white male taking 10 mg of Zocor once/day. His total cholesterol
was 221, his LDLC was 137 and his triglycerides were 243. ProFibe was introduced
at three servings per day, with the 10 mg of Zocor, for 30 days. At the end
of the 30 days the subject's total cholesterol was 159, LDL-C was 86 and the
triglycerides were 187. The risk factor improved from 3.9 to 2.4.
Case Study IV
A 53-year-old white female taking 10 mg of Zocor per day. Her total cholesterol
of 249, her LDL-C was 158 and her triglycerides were 198. At the end of 30
days of taking three servings per day of ProFibe with the 10 mg of Zocor,
the total cholesterol was 216, LDL-C was 134 and triglycerides werel3O. Risk
factor improved from 3.1 to 2.4.
Case Study V
A 61-year-old white female with a recent history of CAD. Taking 20 mg per
day of Mevacor, she had a total cholesterol of 301, and an LDL-C of 141. After
taking three servings per day of ProFibe with the Mevacor for only 14 days,
the total cholesterol dropped to 217 and the LDL-C fell to 84. The risk factor
dropped from 4.7 to 3.2.
Summation
It is important to note the above subjects were on their prescribed medications
for a minimum of one year prior to taking ProFibe. Dr. Cerda and his staff
did the blood work at the University of Florida. It has been our experience
that ProFibe worked just as well with any of the prescription medications
used to lower LDL-C. Over years, we have been able to reduce the amount of
statin drugs needed or eliminate them all together. We have successfully reduced
triglycerides using non-flush niacin and ProFibe. If you have high blood pressure,
gout or peptic ulcer, you may not be able to use niacin. Always confer with
your physician.