Aggressive statin treatment won’t affect immune system

DEAR DR. ROACH»

I am a 69-yearold male in good health. In 2017, I experienced a pulmonary embolism in my left lung. Following that episode, my cardiologist put me on a statin regimen of

40 mg Lipitor. This was to get my LDL numbers down to 60 or lower in order to counteract a buildup of plaque in arteries after an angiogram revealed less than 50% buildup in two areas of my heart. A year later, my LDL numbers were around 100, and my cardiologist doubled the Lipitor dose to 80 mg, still trying to reach the magic number of 60. I have been taking this dose for over a year now with a visit to my cardiologist scheduled soon.

Can lowering LDL numbers like this affect my immune system and therefore have negative effects if I were to get an infection, such as the coronavirus?

— C.F.

ANSWER» The data are abundant that, in people with known blockages of the arteries in their heart, statin drugs reduce heart attack and stroke risk. I was not able to find data about the risk of viral diseases, but a study from 2015 demonstrates a lower bacterial infection rate in statin users compared with nonusers.

However, there are side effects to be concerned about. Statins increase the risk of diabetes in those predisposed to it, and diabetes, especially if poorly controlled, has a negative effect on the immune system and the body’s ability to fight off infection. DEAR DR. ROACH» A year ago, I purchased a distilling machine to make my own distilled water to save money. I add the necessary minerals to the finished product. What is your opinion of drinking distilled water versus bottled water? Also, would alkaline water be better than distilled?

— D.H.

ANSWER» I recommend tap water for drinking, as the quality of tap water in the vast majority of North

America is outstanding, and the cost in money and to the environment is much, much smaller than bottled or even homemade distilled. Minerals may make the water taste better but are not necessary for health. Food should be your source for trace minerals.

I get letters from people who want the purest water, but the medical benefit from this is at best minuscule.

There are no benefits from alkaline water. Your body maintains perfect pH balance through robust systems in the kidney and lungs. Save your money and the planet.

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Contact Dr. Roach at ToYourGoodHealth@med. cornell.edu.

Keith Roach