Statins are a whole class of drug that includes several frequently prescribed medications, all aimed to lower the level of the types of cholesterol in the bloodstream that cause heart disease and other problems that stem from atherosclerosis, a kind of "hardening of the arteries".

• When severe atherosclerosis shuts downs blood flow of oxygen-rich blood to heart muscle, brain, or body parts like feet - then these tissues starve and die - resulting in such events like heart attacks, strokes or leg disease. It 's certain types of cholesterol that seem to support the deterioration of the arteries from healthy pulsing "pipes" that allow great blood flow to clogged and broken vessels. Statins can reduce the amount of these "bad" cholesterols in the bloodstream.
• That's because statins reduce the biological activity of a control point in our body's synthesis of cholesterol. That control point is is regulated by naturally produced proteins (called enzymes) which bring the precursors of cholesterol together and allow the molecule to be formed. The "control point' is an enzyme, (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase)
• Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors

Since this enzyme, (HMG-CoA) reductase, has an important place in the metabolism of many kinds of cells - inhibiting its activity changes more than just the amount of cholesterol made from.

• The desired effect of statins:

• The adverse effects of statins involve 3 major types of tissue: muscle, liver, and kidney. Statins are used clinically because these adverse effects seem to be mostly minimal in consequence. The serious and damaging adverse effects have so far been known only rarely. An overview of the adverse effects of statins is presented below (scroll down, please) in Safety.

• Don't overlook the big picture in what the purpose of treatment is, it's not simply to lower a number that the doctor gets back from the lab.
• It is part of a strategy to help your health by tweaking your metabolism,
• The purpose is to lower the risk of atherosclerosis, heart and artery disease in those who do not yet enough to qualify as "disease" and to decrease the rate of progression of these chronic diseases in those who do have them.
• Many people think that "holistic medicine" means using herbs and botanicals or some -such, I think that holistic medicine is using our knowlege of human biology in an integrated way to promote healing. Holistic as in "whole" and medicine as in "Medicine - the Art & Science".
• The smart money is put on a using statins as a holistric treatment, and that means as just part of an overall lifestyle that lowers risk of artherosclerosis and impoves heart and artery health. Whether you aim for it or not, diet and excercise will play a role in that health.

It all works together, and

• lowering your body fat if you are obese (lower it even just a tiny bit),
• moving around if you are sedentary (even just slightly more),
• and cutting back on simple carbohydrates (including alcohol) if you have any personal or family tendency towards diabetes

will all create positive forces within your metabolism that also help reduce potential side effects from these drugs, by allowing minimal doses to be effective and by avoiding alcohol related complications. That's my opinion, anyway.