Simvastatin is a hypolipidemic drug, which, as we noted above, is a Statin, used to control and balance cholesterol levels, in order to prevent cardiovascular disease. These drugs are often developed through a variety of clinical methods, but Simvastatin is actually a synthetic derivate of a fermentation product of Aspergillus terreus.

The creation of Simvastatin is intimately linked with the research and development of Lovastatin, another Statin. In the 1950s, researchers at the pharmaceutical company, Merck, began studying the biosynthesis of cholesterol. During the course of this research, they gained a greater understanding of how cholesterol was produced in the body, and they discovered how the enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase, plays an integral role in producing cholesterol. In 1979, Lovastatin was derived from a strain of the fungus called Aspergillus terreus. However, shortly thereafter, they derived another, more potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor from Aspergillus terreus, which became known as Simvastatin, or Zocor®.

Simvastatin, and other Stains, are said to work by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, which is used by the liver to produce cholesterol. This action stimulates LDL receptors, so that they increase the clearance of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, from the bloodstream, which in turn decreases blood cholesterol levels. However, it is reported that the liver, while being a hearty organ, may be damaged by a variety of different drugs. In fact, Statins, such as Simvastatin/ Zocor®, have been linked to possible liver damage. It has come to our attention that many individuals are unwilling to use these drugs because of this issue. Luckily, there are some viable and effective holistic options available that are side effect–free, such as Plant Sterols.

Simvastatin is believed to have a variety of potential side effects associated with its use. Some of the less severe side effects some people may experience are constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, gas, heartburn and headache. However, there are said to possibly be other, more significant and health compromising side effects associated with Simvastatin, including muscle breakdown, abdominal pain or cramps, blurred vision, joint pain, dizziness, easy bruising or bleeding, itching, muscle pain or cramps, rash and yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Also, some individuals have been known to develop conditions that may be ongoing, and sometimes irreversible, such as inflammation of the pancreas, hepatitis, severe liver damage/ failure, cirrhosis and liver cancer. These kinds of side effects mandate that people who use this medication be closely monitored by a health care provider, as well as having their liver panels closely monitored.

• Reported to possibly lower cholesterol levels by 30-50% in some individuals

• Many possible side effects, including irreversible liver and muscular damage for some people
• Muscle pain, weakness and fever or flu symptoms may develop in some
• Reports show may potentially cause kidney failure in some individuals

Drugs, such as Simvastatin, are often prescribed to enable individuals to lower their cholesterol levels, but the kinds of side effects outlined above are often off-putting to many individuals, which is understandable. Many of these potential side effects are more than just inconvenient; many of them, such as liver and muscle damage, may impact a person’s health for the rest of their life. In fact, many individuals who start these medications report that they felt good, until they started on these drugs, and the side effects kicked in.

We have seen more and more people begin looking in the aisles of their local or cyber health food store for holistic options to lower their cholesterol levels, so they may avoid these side effects. Plant Sterols are an all-natural element already found in many of the foods we eat, but in a supplement form, they have been shown to significantly lower cholesterol levels. It has shown excellent results in clinical studies; often lowering cholesterol levels by up to 20-40%. What’s really interesting about these results is that they are in the same range as many drugs currently prescribed for high cholesterol. Lastly, Plant Sterols are reportedly side effect-free.