Cholesterol drugs for prostate cancer prevention?

Recently a study came out and stated that cholesterol drugs known as statins helped to prevent prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.  (Source) As soon as I read this, a red flag popped up for me.  Why you may ask?  Well look at this statement made in the article:

One study found that men who were taking statins before undergoing surgical removal of their prostate had a lower risk of having the cancer return. “The use of statins at the time of surgery was associated with a 30 percent reduction in the risk of recurrence of prostate cancer,” said lead researcher Dr. Robert J. Hamilton, a urology resident at the University of Toronto Medical Center in Ontario, Canada.

Hamilton thinks that the anti-inflammatory properties of statins may explain the finding. However, it might also be the ability of these drugs to lower cholesterol that has an effect on cancer cells, he said.

Another study focused on inflammation inside prostate cancer tumors. “We looked at the association between statin use and prostate tumor inflammation,” Banez said.

“We found that men who were using statins prior to surgery had a significantly lower risk for inflammation within their prostate tumor,” Banez said.

In fact, men taking statins had a 72 percent reduction in the risk for inflammation of the prostate tumor. The researchers also found that obesity appears to be associated with increased inflammation and more aggressive prostate cancer.

BINGO!  Statins have a slight anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant characteristic that plays a role here, but you’re also forgetting what else it does like block the production of CoQ10 (See blog post).  Why take a drug that will decrease inflammation but block the production of CoQ10 which will then increase the chances of developing other degenerative diseases?  Why aren’t these studies taking a look at natural sources of anti-inflammatory compounds that do not have deleterious side effects?

Natural anti-inflammatories

• Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) plays a huge role in cooling down inflammation.  I usually recommend 2000 – 6000 mg per day of a high quality fish oil.
• Grape Seed Extract is a potent COX-2 inhibitor
• Enzymes help to remove or digest inflammatory compounds like protein wastes.
• Turmeric is a very potent COX-2 inhibitor herb
• Broad spectrum multi-mineral, multi-vitamin.

Remember the hippocratic oath stresses “Doctor do no harm.”  Take control of your health rather than leaving it up to your medical doctor.  Prevention is the key.  Be pro-active rather than retro-active.