Lipitor May Suppress Immune System

[Guest guest]

Lipitor May Suppress Immune System -- There Are Far Better Options

 

http://www.mercola.com/2000/dec/24/statins.htm#

 

Lipitor, Mevacor and Pravachol have been found to suppress certain immune

system cells known as helper T-cells, according to new research from

Switzerland.

 

The researchers and subsequent media reports have focused on the fact that

the drugs may be useful for treating transplant patients. However, how this

immune suppression could affect the vast majority of patients taking the

drugs is not discussed.

 

" This unexpected effect provides a scientific rationale for using statins as

immunosuppressors, not only in organ transplantation, but in numerous other

pathologies as well, " the researchers conclude.

 

Researchers found that in laboratory-grown cells, the statin drugs

suppressed the activation of helper T-cells. T cells, of which there are 4

types, are a group of lymphocytes produced in the thymus gland. The four

types are:

 

 

Helper T cells

Killer T cells

Suppressor T cells

T4 cells

 

Helper T cells, the type suppressed by the statin drugs, act by recognizing

foreign pathogens and then activating the production of the proper T cells

and B cells in response.

 

The statin drugs used in the study included the following:

 

 

Lipitor™ (atorvastatin)

Mevacor™ (lovastatin)

Pravachol™ (pravastatin)

Nature Medicine, December, 2000; 6: 1311-1312, 1399-1402

 

 

--

 

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

This is an amazing example of positive " spin " put on a very negative result.

People with high cholesterol certainly don't need their immune systems

suppressed. But this newly discovered effect should not surprise anyone who

reads this newsletter.

 

If you rely on drugs to treat your health problems, you must accept the fact

that many, if not most, of the physiological effects of the medication are

unknown. This goes for nearly ALL drugs.

 

If suppressing the helper T cells is considered such great benefit then

there is a disease going around that does this quite well - AIDS.

 

If someone has elevated cholesterol, by far the best results are obtained by

following the proper food choice program. It will yield better results than

the drugs and is far safer and cheaper as well.

 

It would also be enlightening for most readers to consider the fact that

these drugs have been widely used, even though by Dr. Palinski's own

admission how they work was note understood. Therefore, if the mechanism of

action of the drug is not understood, how can the manufacturer or the FDA

claim that it is safe?

 

Related Articles:

 

 

Cholesterol Drugs Don't Benefit Bones

 

Half of Population Will be Taking Statins

 

Cholesterol Drugs May Increase Cancer Risk

 

Statins May Impair Brain Function

 

Return to Table of Contents #185

 

_______________

Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee®

Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963