Wild yam caused a stir years ago because it was claimed to be a natural contraceptive. While this hasn’t been confirmed, yam root does appear to have a positive effect on female hormone levels, with studies now demonstrating three effects: Wild yam strengthens bones, protects blood vessels, and helps with estrogen dominance—both before and during menopause.
What Is Wild Yam?
Wild yam (yam root) has been used for centuries as a food and medicinal plant. The wild yam belongs to the yam family. With around 800 species, they are found primarily in tropical regions, where they serve as a food and medicinal plant—both in the past and today.
The best known is the Mexican Wild Yam species, which originally comes from Central and North America but is now also cultivated and used in other parts of the world.
Native American women once used the wild yam root primarily as a contraceptive and as a remedy for all female ailments, while men swore by its rejuvenating and strengthening effects.
Wild Yam and the Birth Control Pill
As unbelievable as it may sound to us today to use a plant for contraception, it is actually a plant – namely the wild yam – without which the modern contraceptive pill would probably not even exist.
In the 1930s, scientists attempted to synthesize artificial estrogen and progesterone to create a contraceptive. Although they achieved their goal, they only achieved it using extremely expensive raw materials. At that time, the commercial use of these hormones was unthinkable.
The breakthrough came in 1942 with the American chemist Russell Marker. While searching for a plant rich in hormone-like substances, he came across the wild yam (1).
He isolated the substance diosgenin—a precursor to progesterone—from the plant’s root and was able to convert it into natural progesterone in the laboratory. Soon after, production of the first birth control pills began. (The estrogen required for this was also obtained from mare urine.)
Does Wild Yam Work as Contraception?
Although the original form of the birth control pill would have been unthinkable without wild yam, the contraceptive effect of the root is based on a completely different mechanism than that of the birth control pill.
Diosgenin is highly unlikely to be the only substance in wild yam that has a contraceptive effect—if any. It’s much more likely that it’s an interaction of various ingredients, not all of which are yet known.
Scientists are still arguing about whether the human organism is capable of converting diosgenin from wild yam into progesterone or not – and diosgenin alone does not provide contraception.
So, we don’t know exactly what might be involved in wild yam to prevent pregnancy. However, the following mechanism is suspected: Wild yam causes the formation of a natural protective mucus in the cervix, which prevents sperm from sliding off and thus from reaching the egg.
The contraceptive pill, on the other hand, changes the hormonal balance in such a way that ovulation does not occur at all and the fallopian tubes are paralyzed, which is of course not the case with the wild yam root.
Prerequisites for the contraceptive effect of wild yam
For wild yam to actually work as a contraceptive, it’s said that certain conditions must be met. First of all, you need to be very patient. The contraceptive effect is said to only become apparent after about 6 to 12 months of daily use—especially in very young women.
Although some say that the contraceptive effect occurs after just 9 weeks because the protective mucus has built up by then, reports from people’s experiences (baby was conceived despite wild yam) show that this is not always the case.
Another requirement for women taking wild yam supplements is that they practice a healthy diet and lifestyle. Wild yam is believed to be effective contraceptive among indigenous peoples, among other reasons, because they live so naturally and healthily.
Smoking, alcohol, sugar, obesity and lack of exercise are said to impair the contraceptive effect of wild yam, so that pregnancy can occur despite regular consumption of wild yam if one indulges in one of these vices.
Consequently, there are no real studies that would prove that wild yam can actually be an effective contraceptive for women, because hardly any (young) woman would live so consistently that one could in good conscience recommend contraception with wild yam to her.
Proponents of the yam root therefore simply rely on the centuries-old traditions of many indigenous peoples and on the experiences of women from our time, which, however, include both positive and negative ones.
A midwife’s experience with wild yam for contraception
Midwife Willa Shaffer chronicled her experiences with wild yam in her booklet “Wild Yam: Birth Control Without Fear.” She recommends that her patients take 3000 mg of wild yam daily, with 1500 mg of wild yam capsules taken in the morning and evening.
According to Shaffer’s reports, almost 100 percent of women were able to achieve contraception using wild yam alone. However, attention must be paid to the quality of the product, ensuring, for example, that it is not a heated yam root, but a raw wild yam product.
While the contraceptive effect of wild yam isn’t entirely proven, the situation is quite different with its bone-strengthening effect. Several studies have shown that wild yam has a very positive effect on bone health, which is particularly interesting for women during and after menopause.
Wild Yam for Bone Health and Osteoporosis Prevention
In 2010, Harvard Medical School in Boston tested a combination drug (2) (Drynol Cibotin) made up of eight different bone-strengthening medicinal plants , all of which have been used for many centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat osteoporosis – including Chinese angelica, shiny privet, tragacanth and, of course, wild yam.
The results of the study were very positive, as it showed that the medicinal plants significantly stimulate the proliferation of bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) (3) and at the same time prevent their increased destruction – as is the case with osteoporosis.
Additionally, it was discovered that the plants improved calcium absorption into the bones – both in the short and long term. The medicinal plants also significantly stimulated the formation of two key proteins important for bone formation (collagen I and laminin B2).
The researchers then explained that the bone-strengthening medicinal plants can be used either alone or in combination with vital substances to prevent osteoporosis.
One year later (2011), Korean scientists showed that diosgenin from wild yam root could noticeably increase bone activity (4).
They also found that wild yam promoted bone formation, particularly through increased production of collagen and other proteins (5), all of which are responsible for good bone health.
And in 2014, the journal Preventive Nutrition and Food Science also published an article by Korean researchers. They confirmed the previous findings and wrote that both the root and bark of wild yam can activate bone function.
According to the researchers, under the influence of wild yam, the bone matrix becomes more mineralized, which means that more calcium can be incorporated into the newly built bone tissue (6).
Where this bone-strengthening effect of wild yam originates is unknown. What is certain, however, is that the hormonal imbalance during menopause promotes osteoporosis. If wild yam—as is suspected—has a hormone-balancing effect, this could explain its positive influence on bones.
Wild Yam in Menopause
Some experts are now certain that the typical menopausal symptoms (dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, urinary incontinence, osteoporosis, etc.) are not, or not always, due to a pure estrogen deficiency, but rather to a so-called estrogen dominance.
This means that the balance between estrogen and progesterone is disturbed, favoring estrogen. The affected woman may, of course, still have too little estrogen. However, if there is significantly less progesterone in relation to the remaining estrogen, this is also referred to as estrogen dominance—despite the estrogen deficiency.
Furthermore, it’s important to remember that progesterone levels decline much faster than estrogen levels during menopause. Even after menopause, certain amounts of estrogen are still produced in the adrenal cortex, adipose tissue, and ovaries, while the body’s own production of progesterone ceases almost entirely. Consequently, progesterone should initially receive much more attention than estrogen.
Wild Yam is said to have a progesterone-like effect due to its diosgenin content, so the plant can gently counteract estrogen dominance and is worth a try at the first signs of menopausal symptoms.
The synthetic hormones commonly prescribed can have severe side effects – from breast cancer to thrombosis and cardiovascular problems. Hence you should always use bioidentical hormones if you want to go down that route.
Is wild yam an alternative to hormone therapy?
Conventional medicine often prefers to administer estrogens to compensate for the estrogen deficiency so typical of menopause, while completely ignoring the possibility of estrogen dominance. If progesterone is also administered, this is usually also in synthetic form.
However, the possibility of so-called bioidentical hormones is no longer unknown, and some doctors now even recommend them. These are hormones that are absolutely identical to the body’s own hormones. However, these bioidentical hormones can also cause side effects if the dosage is not correct for the individual woman.
If menopausal symptoms are mild, it is a good idea to first try gentle herbal remedies with no side effects, such as wild yam root.
However, estrogen dominance is not only a problem for women during menopause. Rather, it is a very widespread, yet unfortunately often unrecognized, cause of many women’s complaints that often have a significant impact on their entire lives.
Wild Yam for estrogen dominance and PMS
Estrogen dominance is therefore a very common problem in women of almost all ages, and not infrequently in men as well. Because chemicals have an estrogen-like effect, we are all surrounded by estrogens (7) or substances that can mimic the effects of estrogens.
Estrogen dominance can manifest itself in a wide variety of symptoms in women. Some of these are collectively referred to as environmental chemicals (PMS):
migraine
Tension in the breasts
Depression and severe mood swings
Sleep disorders
Fatigue and reduced performance
Water retention
Myomas and cysts
Shortened cycles and spotting in the second half of the cycle
infertility
Skin problems such as acne
Hair loss
There are no official studies on the effects of wild yam root on estrogen dominance and PMS. However, physician and medicinal plant expert Heide Fischer, who specializes in women’s naturopathy, conducted her own small “study,” which she describes on her website:
Wild Yam is ideal for premenstrual syndrome
In 2002, as part of a professional training course on “Women’s Naturopathy with a Focus on Phytotherapy” led by Heide Fischer, she developed a yam root gel that 20 volunteer women with premenstrual or menopausal symptoms used for two months.
It was now shown that women with premenstrual symptoms experienced a significant improvement in almost all symptoms, whether it was breast tenderness and water retention or mood swings and spotting.
There was also improvement in menopausal symptoms, especially at the beginning of menopause when premenstrual problems were also present.
However, in cases of advanced menopause with hot flashes, etc., the benefits of wild yam were less evident. However, it was also unclear whether a higher dose or a longer duration of use might simply have been necessary.
Wild Yam as an antioxidant against arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis is a problem in middle and old age, which is when osteoporosis is also a threat. Anyone considering wild yam for osteoporosis prevention could kill two birds with one stone, as wild yam can also protect blood vessels from plaque buildup.
At least that is what a 2005 study conducted at the China Medical University suggested.
Three groups of subjects with arteriosclerosis received either a cholesterol-lowering drug, wild yam, or served as a control group that took nothing at all.
It was found that in the control group, 80 percent of the vessel walls (in the aorta) were covered with deposits (8), while in the wild yam group it was only 40 percent, so that it is assumed that wild yam is a useful measure for reducing arteriosclerosis.
The wild yam: conclusion
In summary, wild yam appears to be an excellent additional measure for osteoporosis prevention, which can also protect blood vessels from plaque buildup.
Wild yam can also be helpful for mild menopausal symptoms, especially those associated with estrogen dominance. However, for more severe menopausal symptoms, bioidentical hormones may be more effective.
For women of childbearing age who suffer from premenstrual syndrome or other symptoms of estrogen dominance, wild yam root represents a very good component of natural therapy.
However, we would not recommend wild yam for contraception.
How to Use Wild Yam
Wild yam is available in several forms:
Capsules
Creams or gels (applied to arms, chest, or thighs)
Vaginal gels
Supplements are usually taken after ovulation during the second half of the menstrual cycle. For best results, choose high-quality wild yam products that are raw and not heat-treated.
Conclusion: The Benefits of Wild Yam
Wild yam root offers multiple health benefits:
Supports bone strength and may help prevent osteoporosis
Helps balance hormones during menopause
May ease PMS and estrogen dominance
Shows potential for heart and vessel protection
While wild yam has a long history as a natural contraceptive, its reliability in this area is not proven. Still, yam root remains a valuable herbal ally for women’s health.
Castor oil is often described as a miracle cure—at least on social media. Originally known as a laxative, the oil is said to reduce wrinkles and age spots when applied externally and also stimulate hair growth. Here, we discuss the effects of castor oil and why it’s worth having in your home.
What is castor oil?
Castor oil is obtained from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis), which is native to the tropics and subtropics.
The tree can grow up to 8 meters tall and is also called the miracle tree because it grows miraculously quickly, although not as quickly as the Old Testament says.
According to the statements there, the plant grew into a shade-giving tree overnight at God’s instruction.
At first glance, the seeds of the castor oil plant resemble a full-fledged tick.
They consist of 30 to 50 percent oil – castor oil. Compared to some other oils, castor oil is a rather thick oil.
It can range from colorless to slightly yellowish, and in cold-pressed quality, it has a rather unpleasant, somewhat bitter taste. Refined oils, on the other hand, are tasteless.
What’s special about castor oil is that it consists of up to 90 percent ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid that, like oleic acid (found in olive oil), is one of the omega-9 fatty acids. The unusual properties of castor oil are primarily due to this fatty acid— both the laxative properties when taken internally and the skin-care and other properties mentioned below when applied externally.
Since when has castor oil been known?
The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese already appreciated the oil of the castor oil plant and used it for a variety of purposes, such as as a laxative, for abortions, to support wound healing, and even as a skin care product.
Even Cleopatra is said to have used the oil as the basis for her makeup because of its smoothing effect and is therefore still often mixed into cosmetics today – from lipsticks to makeup.
What effects does the oil have when used externally?
Castor oil is most commonly applied externally in the form of castor oil packs. It is said that the oil can penetrate the skin, enter the bloodstream, and therefore heal the entire body.
Below, we briefly introduce some of the oil’s properties. Further down, you’ll find details on its most important applications, including its correct use.
Relieve inflammation
Castor oil can reduce inflammation. It contains a high level of ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid with powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Improve blood circulation
Ricinoleic acid can penetrate deep into the skin, stimulating local blood vessels and promoting blood flow.
Promote detoxification and regenerate the liver
Applying castor oil packs to the abdominal area can stimulate lymphatic flow, which supports the removal of toxins and relieves strain on the liver. This can contribute to liver regeneration and promote the body’s detoxification process.
Regulate digestion
While castor oil is known as a powerful laxative when used internally, external compresses applied to the abdominal area can gently support digestion without directly irritating the intestines. This application can be helpful for constipation or sluggish digestion.
Increase antioxidant status
Regular use of castor oil packs can boost the body’s production of antioxidants by stimulating metabolism and reducing oxidative stress. An improved antioxidant status supports the protection of cells from free radicals.
Calm nerves and help with polyneuropathy
In cases of nerve pain or polyneuropathy, castor oil packs can provide relief thanks to their anti-inflammatory and circulation-promoting properties. They calm the nerves and can thus reduce pain and discomfort.
Improve sleep
The relaxing effect of warm castor oil packs can help calm the body before bedtime, promoting deeper and more restful sleep.
Make hair grow thicker and fuller
Applying castor oil to the scalp can help promote hair growth, making hair thicker and healthier. For more information, see “Castor Oil for Hair Growth” below.
Prevent split ends
The oil’s moisturizing properties make hair soft and can prevent split ends. Regular application to the ends of your hair protects against dryness and brittleness.
Moisturize skin, shrink pores, reduce blemishes, age spots and wrinkles
Castor oil penetrates deep into the skin and provides intense moisture. This can help shrink pores, reduce blemishes, and improve the appearance of age spots and wrinkles. For more information on its effects and application on the skin, see “Castor Oil for Skin Care” below.
Shrink warts, calluses, corns, and skin ulcers
The softening and healing properties of castor oil, when used regularly, can help soften and reduce the size of hardened skin areas such as calluses, hard skin, and corns. It can also be helpful for skin ulcers.
Relieve foot pain
By promoting blood circulation and relaxing muscles, castor oil packs can effectively relieve foot pain. Regular use can lead to a noticeable improvement in well-being.
Despite the length of this list, it’s safe to assume that not all of the oil’s positive effects and possible uses are known, and there are no scientific studies for most of them. Castor oil is therefore a true home remedy!
What are castor oil packs?
For thousands of years, castor oil packs have been used worldwide in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and the holistic medicine of ancient Egypt and the Mediterranean.
Castor oil packs are among the oldest medicinal remedies in the world and are also the most common way to apply castor oil. They can be used on almost anyone – including children and older people (except pregnant women).
There’s almost no illness that oil packs aren’t supposed to help with. The lists of illnesses found online are extremely long and include, in addition to the complaints mentioned above, hormonal disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, thyroid problems, sleep disorders, and joint pain, as well as mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. However, there are virtually no scientific studies on these either.
Castor oil packs have become very popular, and some instructions sound incredibly complicated. Basically, it would make sense to massage the oil in one to three times a day, depending on the specific area of the body and the symptoms, or to dab the oil on the area.
The simplest version of an oil pack is to place a cloth soaked in the oil on the affected area of the body, secure it with a dry cloth, and let it rest for 1 hour to allow the oil to work. We describe the detailed version below.
If necessary, a protective pad for the bed/sofa (towel or incontinence pad) if you don’t want to bother with gauze bandages and clips, so that there are no stains on the bed or sofa from any oil leakage.
Place the cloth in the bowl and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of castor oil to it.
Wait until the cloth has absorbed the oil; it should be well soaked, but not dripping; wring it out if necessary.
Place the cloth directly on your skin. For a liver pack, for example, on the right upper abdomen, or for an intestinal pack, on the navel area.
Place a piece of plastic wrap over the cloth to prevent the oil from seeping out, as it will leave stains.
Now, for more warmth and firmness, place a towel around it or a cloth that is commercially available for abdominal or chest wraps.
Lie comfortably on your bed or sofa and try not to move too much. Listen to music or meditate during this time. The main thing is that you are relaxed.
For intestinal wraps, you can also place a small hot water bottle on your stomach. For liver wraps, lean the hot water bottle upright against the side of your upper right abdomen, practically tucked under your armpit. You might want to wrap a towel around the hot water bottle if it gets too hot.
Leave the pack on for at least 1 hour. Sometimes 2 to 3 hours is recommended.
The oil can stay on your body, so it doesn’t need to be washed off afterward. If too much oil sticks to your body, you can wipe it off with a paper or cloth.
The cloth can be used for several packs, so it does not need to be washed or even disposed of after the first use.
A little oil can also be massaged directly into the skin with your hands before applying the pack.
As a precaution, castor oil packs should not be used during pregnancy – see “Castor oil during pregnancy” below.
How often do you use the packs or oil?
There’s no general rule regarding the frequency of castor oil pack use. You can, for example, apply them three days in a row (once every day) or as needed.
You can also use the pack three times a week, for example, for 10 consecutive weeks. It’s best to focus on your individual symptoms, discuss the matter with a practitioner, and observe how well the pack works for you.
It’s important to always have rest periods between pack days so that your body has time to react. Therefore, you shouldn’t start using an oil pack every day.
However, if you want to treat a wart, a papilloma, a corn, or something similar, you should initially apply it daily or reapply it daily. For warts, for example, you could soak a plaster in castor oil, reapply it once or twice a day, and do this daily for two months.
In the case of acute problems, such as an inflamed finger due to a foreign body (splinter) or an inflammation of the nail bed, you can wrap a cloth soaked in the oil around the finger, secure it with a gauze bandage and leave it on overnight.
If you use the oil for facial care, you can also take breaks from time to time or use it just occasionally as a little extra for your skin.
How quickly does the oil work?
Overall, changes should be observed after 3 to 8 weeks for chronic problems.
Castor oil as a laxative
The oil has been used for centuries as a laxative to treat constipation. It is one of the relatively fast-acting natural laxatives. How quickly it works depends on the time of administration. If taken on an empty stomach (approx. 15 ml or 1-2 tablespoons), the effect can be felt after just 2 to 6 hours.
Some recipes for removing intestinal parasites also contain castor oil, as we explain at the end of this page.
You should avoid taking it in the evening, as you’ll need to go to the bathroom more often during the night. The oil is also not suitable for long-term use. As with other laxatives, it can lead to a habituation effect and the typical side effects of laxatives (see “Risks and Side Effects” below).
The laxative effect is due to the ricinoleic acid it contains. It activates the smooth muscle cells in the intestinal wall (via activation of the so-called G-protein coupled receptors), resulting in increased contractions (peristalsis). Furthermore, ricinoleic acid binds more water in the intestine and increases stool volume.
Since these receptors are also present in the uterus, ricinoleic acid has an activating effect there as well (1), which could lead to premature labor during pregnancy. Therefore, taking the oil during pregnancy is not recommended. (More on this under “Risks and Side Effects” below).
Interestingly, you don’t even necessarily have to ingest the oil to relieve constipation. The castor oil packs described above, applied externally, often help. A study conducted in two nursing homes has shown that this treatment can also be very helpful for older people.
Although the packs did not increase the number of bowel movements in participants, most of whom had suffered from constipation for 10 years or more, stool consistency improved (became softer), stools were easier to pass, and there was a feeling of complete emptying after bowel movements.
The symptoms of constipation were thus alleviated in a pleasant way (2), whereas when the oil is taken orally one must always expect abdominal cramps, nausea and diarrhea.
In the study, the packs were applied on three consecutive days and left on the stomach for one hour each time, together with a hot water bottle.
We present more natural laxatives in our article on natural laxatives at the end of this page.
Castor oil for laxatives before colonoscopy?
Castor oil can also be used as a bowel cleansing agent before a colonoscopy, at least as an adjunct, as a 2022 study showed (3).
It was observed that the oil reduced the amount of laxatives otherwise required and increased intestinal cleanliness (4) – however, the study referred to colon capsule endoscopy – a new variant of intestinal examination in which a capsule containing two tiny cameras is swallowed, which then take pictures of the colon.
This avoids the need for sedation, the insertion of a colonoscope, and the potential side effects of colonoscopy. However, colon capsule endoscopy also has disadvantages. It is not as precise, and of course, polyps cannot be removed or tissue samples taken during the procedure.
Castor oil for skin care
Castor oil is said to have positive effects on the skin, such as reducing wrinkles, moisturizing the skin, and stimulating collagen production. It is also said to make the skin smoother and softer, reduce puffiness, and shrink enlarged pores, thus diminishing blackheads. It is also said to dissolve excess sebum, making it easier to cleanse the skin.
A 2023 Iranian study showed that rubbing a specific cream into patients with pronounced dark circles under the eyes (due to hyperpigmentation) could help reduce pigmentation. The 22 patients applied a cream containing 10 percent castor oil for two months (5).
The test subjects experienced an improvement after the treatment period. Melanin levels, wrinkle formation, and skin elasticity were also reduced or improved (6). Melanin is the dark pigment of the skin, which is also found in increased concentrations in age spots, moles, etc.
How to apply the oil on your face
If you want to use the oil as a facial oil, then use only a very small amount and combine the application with a facial massage so that the oil can be absorbed.
However, the oil does not absorb completely immediately, but takes a few hours.
Applying makeup afterward isn’t ideal, so it’s best to apply the oil in the evening after cleansing your face. To prevent the pillow from becoming oily, place a cloth over it for protection.
The next morning, your skin feels noticeably smoother and more refreshed, something often unmatched even by the most expensive facial care products. Castor oil is also considered non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog pores or cause pimples or blackheads.
On the comedogenicity scale, which ranges from 0 to 5, castor oil receives a 1 for very low comedogenicity. Linseed oil, wheat germ oil, and palm oil, for example, have a 4-5 on this scale. Coconut oil is at 3-4, and olive oil at 2-3.
If you want to use castor oil twice a day, let it absorb for 20 minutes in the morning, wash your face, and then apply your usual daily moisturizer, including makeup. You’ll automatically massage the rest of the oil into your hands and enjoy soft, smooth skin.
Castor oil is even said to have a positive effect on acne, and scars can also be rubbed with it regularly, which apparently makes them paler.
The oil is also recommended for fingernails. Rubbing it into your nails daily—for example, in the evening before bed—leads to stronger fingernails and healthier cuticles.
Castor oil for hair growth
The oil is often referred to as a hair growth product on social media, and many people report success.
However, this is not the case with androgenetic hair loss; rather, it is observed that the hair becomes stronger overall.
To our knowledge, there are no concrete studies on humans that would show a hair growth-promoting effect.
A 2008 Romanian study showed that a lotion containing 35 percent castor oil made the fur of rabbits (in 50 percent of the treated animals) softer, longer, and thicker after four weeks (7). Treatment with a 40 percent oil, however, produced no noticeable results.
Scientists in the Ivory Coast also conducted research on rabbits in 2021. In this study, too, an improvement in hair growth was observed in the animals treated with castor oil (8), more so in the males than in the females. (However, with only 8 test animals in total, divided into four groups, the study’s significance is rather low.)
In an article on the website Good Housekeeping, a trichologist (a hair-related consultant) and a dermatologist are interviewed about the effects of hair care products containing castor oil. The two specialists believe that the oil does not exactly lead to thicker and longer hair (9), but it does:
smooth the hair and make it shiny
nourish the hair, make it softer and make it feel less dry
promotes scalp health because, among other things, its antibacterial properties can reduce harmful bacteria or fungi on the scalp
Prevent split ends and hair breakage by surrounding the hair shaft with a protective layer
helps cleanse hair and scalp as it absorbs dirt, which can then be removed more easily
You can simply pour a little oil into a small bowl, dip your fingertips in it, and massage it into your scalp. Then leave it on for two hours and wash your hair as usual. It can be easily removed with regular shampoo.
If you want to treat the ends of your hair, spread the oil on the ends, tie it in a bun (if your hair length allows it), put on a cap and leave the oil on overnight (at least 2 hours).
According to user reports, the oil is said to have a significant hair growth-promoting effect on eyelashes and eyebrows, even if eyelashes and eyebrows were previously very sparse.
The best way to do this is to use an empty mascara container (empty mascara bottle with eyelash brush), fill it with the oil and then apply it very carefully to your eyelashes and eyebrows in the evening.
Conventional castor oil should not be used in the eyes. If you want to use the oil for the eyes, for example, for dry eyes, you would need to use a castor oil specifically labeled for this purpose – see the next section.
Castor oil for the eyes
Castor oil is said to be particularly helpful for dry eyes and blepharitis. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid margins, which can lead to redness, swelling, and crusting. Dry eyes often also occur.
In a 2021 New Zealand study, 26 patients experienced significant improvement after four weeks of applying 100% cold-pressed castor oil twice daily (morning and evening). Crusts and redness were reduced (10), and eyelid swelling was less severe.
Dry eye symptoms also improved. No adverse side effects were observed. However, this study lacked a control group.
If you have the eye problems mentioned above, be sure to discuss the use of the oil with your ophthalmologist, as an oil suitable for the eyes must be used.
Castor oil for cleaning dentures
Numerous bacteria and fungi (e.g., Candida albicans) can multiply on dentures. If dentures are not cleaned properly, this can lead to health problems, such as denture stomatitis, an inflammation of the oral mucosa involving Candida.
If someone is also weakened (which is often the case with older people, who often also wear prostheses) or has to take immunosuppressant medication, the fungi can become dangerous and migrate to the gastrointestinal tract or lungs. It is therefore important that the prosthesis is always cleaned thoroughly.
A 2017 study showed that castor oil can be used effectively for this purpose. While a 0.25 percent and a 0.5 percent sodium hypochlorite solution (liquid chlorine) were more effective at removing the biofilm of bacteria and fungi than castor oil, the oil was more effective than a pure saline solution. Castor oil was even more effective against Candida than sodium hypochlorite (11).
The oil can be used on wounds because it keeps them moist and prevents them from drying out, which promotes the healing process. At the same time, the ricinoleic acid it contains reduces inflammation and relieves pain (12).
In the US, there is a Vaseline-based wound ointment (Venelex) that combines castor oil with Peruvian balsam. This is a special oil that meets the standards of the American Pharmacopoeia. It is labeled USP for United States Pharmacopeia.
Peruvian balsam (Balsamum peruvianum) is the bark sap of the balsam tree (Myroxylon balsamum), a traditional wound healing remedy. We haven’t found a local source for this ointment. Whether it’s advisable to apply castor oil directly to wounds is something you’ll need to discuss with your practitioner– it certainly depends on the type of wound.
Risks and side effects
Typical risks and side effects of the oil – when taken orally and in larger quantities – include abdominal cramps, nausea and diarrhea.
As with all laxatives, excessive use of castor oil as a laxative can lead to addiction. This can lead to constipation, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, and even life-threatening impairment of kidney and cardiovascular function (13).
Under no circumstances should the oil (or any other laxative) be used for weight loss (14).
A 2017 Indian study states that even a single use of the oil for hair care can potentially lead to matting. However, this occurs very, very rarely. According to the study, there are only 17 known cases worldwide (15).
When applied externally to the skin, some people may experience allergies (16), but this is not very common. A 2017 Belgian study reported two cases.
Who should not take castor oil?
While external use is generally well-tolerated, you should only take castor oil internally after consulting your practitioner. This is especially true for children and if you have a chronic condition such as inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), appendicitis, bile duct disease, or abdominal pain of unknown origin.
Children under 10 years of age should not take the oil internally at all.
Castor oil during pregnancy
It is not recommended during pregnancy, as the oil is said to induce premature labor. However, if labor is delayed, the oil may still be helpful, but it should ALWAYS only be taken if prescribed by a practitioner.
A 2022 meta-analysis from Iran describes the oral administration of castor oil as a safe method to dilate the cervix and induce labor (17). This method can prevent a cesarean section.
In an Israeli randomized study with a total of 81 women who were past their due date, labor could be effectively induced with the oil compared to the placebo (sunflower oil) (18).
In Italy, a five-year retrospective study examined the effects of administering a single 60 ml dose (in 200 ml of warm water) to women who were “overdue” at 40 and 41 weeks. It was found that the use of castor oil was more likely to induce labor within 24 hours (19) (compared with waiting).
Where can you buy the oil?
Castor oil can be purchased at pharmacies, drugstores, and online. When purchasing, it’s usually recommended to make sure the oil is cold-pressed, organic, packaged in dark glass bottles, and hexane-free. Hexane is a solvent used in refined oils, but not in cold-pressed ones. More on this in the next section.
Refined castor oil contains hardly any accompanying substances (vitamin E, secondary plant compounds) and is primarily sold in pharmacies for internal use. The crucial fatty acid (ricinoleic acid) is also present in the refined oil, which is why this oil is also effective.
Since solvents (hexane) are used during refining, there are often concerns that the finished oil may still contain residues of the toxic solvent. This may well be the case, although usually only traces, but if you have the choice, we would opt for a cold-pressed and therefore solvent-free grade (19).
As with all oils, storage should be in a dry, dark, and cool place. For unopened oils, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The shelf life can be up to two years. Once opened, castor oil should be used within six months – assuming proper storage, although refined oils often have a longer shelf life than cold-pressed ones.
Which fatty acids are contained in the oil?
The fatty acid composition of castor oil is as follows (20) (but can naturally vary depending on origin and quality):
85 to 90 percent ricinoleic acid (an omega-9 fatty acid)
4 to 5 percent linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid)
3 to 4 percent oleic acid (an omega-9 fatty acid)
1 to 2 percent stearic acid
1 to 2 percent palmitic acid
0.5 to 0.7 percent linolenic acid
Where does castor oil come from?
The castor oil plant originates from northern Africa and the Middle East, but today also grows in other warm tropical and subtropical regions, such as South America and the Mediterranean. There, it grows into a sparse tree that can reach up to 8 meters in height.
In our region, the plant is occasionally planted as an ornamental plant in parks and grows into a 2- to 3-meter-tall shrub in its first year. Due to its sensitivity to frost, the castor oil plant dies in winter.
The plant has beautiful, large, serrated leaves and is a pioneer plant. It germinates very quickly and tends to spread. In its native countries, it often grows along roadsides or on ruderal areas (bare, uncultivated soil).
Is castor oil toxic?
Castor oil is non-toxic, meaning it no longer contains ricin (see next section). Ricin is water-soluble and therefore does not enter the oil (21). However, the press residues left over from oil production are rich in ricin and therefore initially toxic. The ricin is extracted before being sold as fertilizer.
What is ricin?
The castor bean plant contains the poison ricin in all parts, but especially in the seeds. Ricin is highly toxic and is even considered a potential biological warfare agent.
One potential problem is that if you accidentally eat the seeds, you don’t notice anything off-putting. They don’t taste bitter, but rather relatively pleasant. This could pose a danger if children play with the pretty seeds.
If the seeds are swallowed whole, the toxicity is less pronounced. Since ricin is primarily found in the seed coat, it is released particularly when chewed.
The lethal dose is estimated at 1 to 20 µg per kilogram of body weight (according to some sources 5 – 10 µg), which corresponds to approximately 5 to 10 seeds (22). In children – depending on their age – even half a seed can be fatal.
Depending on the dose ingested, symptoms may appear after a few hours or even after two days (colic, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, muscle pain, liver and kidney damage, cerebral (brain-originating) seizures, and finally circulatory failure).
Treatment is usually symptomatic, such as administering fluids to combat dehydration. If ricin ingestion occurred less than 1 hour ago, activated charcoal can be attempted. In animal studies, treatment with N-acetylcysteine (a synthetic antioxidant) has reportedly proven helpful (in cases of liver and kidney involvement).
How toxic is ricin by injection?
A report from 1978 about the Bulgarian writer Georgi Markov, who agitated in exile against the then dictatorial head of state Zhivkov and was poked in the lower leg from behind with the tip of an umbrella on Waterloo Bridge in London.
At first, it was thought to be an accident. However, a few days later, the writer died. His autopsy revealed that he had been poisoned. The prick with the umbrella was no accident. It had been used to inject a tiny porous metal ball into his calf, releasing less than one twenty-thousandth of a gram (40 µg) of ricin.
Conclusion: Castor oil is indispensable in the medicine cabinet
Castor oil has numerous beneficial effects, making it an important ingredient in the home medicine cabinet. External applications in the form of oil packs should be the primary focus. Internal use should always be discussed with a practitioner.
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in every function of the body — from immune response to skin regeneration. Emerging research shows that specific dietary choices can either aggravate or ease chronic health conditions. One such condition is psoriasis, a persistent inflammatory skin disease. Increasingly, evidence suggests that a targeted anti-inflammatory diet may help reduce the severity of psoriasis symptoms and support long-term skin health.
The right diet improves psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease belonging to the group of autoimmune diseases. Adults are the most common sufferers, but children can also be affected in isolated cases.
Regardless of the age at which psoriasis breaks out, you should take the disease as a welcome opportunity to optimize your personal diet. Several scientific studies have now shown that a properly tailored diet can significantly improve psoriasis.
Holistic measures for psoriasis
Psoriasis causes very dry, scaly, and sometimes itchy skin in affected areas. Thick, yellowish crusts on some parts of the body are characteristic, and may be accompanied by inflammation. These crusts develop due to the pathologically accelerated skin metabolism in psoriasis, meaning that the cells in the top layer of skin renew themselves about eight times faster than in a healthy person.
Psoriasis can occur in flare-ups, sometimes milder, sometimes more severe. While psoriasis is considered incurable, it can certainly be managed so that flare-ups become less frequent or progressively milder, and the phases of less severe symptoms eventually become longer. Medication is not always required for this. Holistic measures are often very helpful, for example, the following (1):
Change your diet
Of course, you should change your diet. We’ll explain how best to do this below.
Sunbathing
You can also expose your skin to the sun for a short time every day (depending on your sensitivity, 5-10 minutes is enough (2).
Vitamin D
If sunbathing isn’t possible due to the weather, you should definitely optimize your vitamin D intake. Vitamin D plays an important role in skin health and the health of the immune system. At the same time, vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties, so this vitamin positively influences all three areas affected by psoriasis.
Movement
Make sure you exercise because:
Exercise improves psoriasis
People who eat healthier tend to feel more motivated to exercise again. However, physical activity also improves psoriasis – as reported in the British Journal of Dermatology in March 2014. A study with over 300 participants found that a 20-week program combining dietary changes with exercise not only led to weight loss in overweight psoriasis patients, but also reduced psoriasis inflammation, thus leading to a noticeable improvement in symptoms (3).
The right diet for psoriasis
Until now, it was only practical experience, but now the first scientific studies show that those affected can relieve their psoriasis independently with the help of a specific diet.
Yes, an unhealthy diet is now considered a risk factor that can lead to the development of psoriasis in the first place (4).
A targeted change in diet represents an excellent opportunity to positively influence psoriasis, as researchers reported in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in July 2016. The researchers from the University of Naples provide specific nutritional advice for physicians so they can offer helpful nutritional counseling to their psoriasis patients:
1. Gluten-free diet for psoriasis
Gluten – the protein in wheat, spelt, rye and barley – should initially be eliminated from the diet for psoriasis on a trial basis, for example, for a period of 4 to 6 months.
In 2015 , the journal Dermatology reported on the connection between celiac disease and psoriasis. In a study, 218 psoriasis patients and 264 healthy controls were tested for celiac disease (a gluten intolerance resulting from a related small intestinal disorder). If the blood test was positive, a biopsy was performed to confirm the diagnosis.
While only one person in the control group had celiac disease, nine of the psoriasis patients did. They were advised to follow a gluten-free diet. After 6 months of following a gluten-free diet, seven of the eight psoriasis patients showed significant improvement in their skin (5).
Even if you don’t have celiac disease, it’s worth trying a gluten-free diet. Gluten intolerance can occur even without celiac disease. This is referred to as non-celiac gluten intolerance, which can exacerbate many chronic diseases. Those affected by avoiding gluten often experience significant improvements in many areas of life.
A gluten-free diet isn’t as difficult as is often claimed. Furthermore, it’s often enough to simply eat a low-gluten diet (rather than a completely gluten-free diet). So, you don’t have to avoid every trace of gluten. Some people feel noticeably better just by avoiding wheat products. The gluten in spelt or oats is often well tolerated. But if you need help – try our Gluten free – the easy way Guide
2. If you have psoriasis, you may need to lose weight
You should lose weight until you reach a normal weight, as it is known that psoriasis improves once excess weight is lost.
3. Anti-inflammatory foods for psoriasis
Your diet should include anti-inflammatory foods, as chronic inflammation can worsen psoriasis.
To reduce inflammation, targeted dietary supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids can also be taken. Clinical Nutrition reported in June 2014 that a calorie-restricted diet with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can help reduce inflammatory markers and improve psoriasis symptoms (6).
Forty-four overweight psoriasis patients already taking immunosuppressive medications were divided into two groups. Group 1 continued to eat as usual. Group 2 received a calorie-restricted diet (20 kcal/kg of target weight) plus a dietary supplement containing 2,600 mg of omega-3 fatty acids.
After 3 and 6 months, significant improvements in psoriasis were observed in the second group (7). Skin appearance, itching, and quality of life all improved when the calorie-reduced diet and omega-3 fatty acids were consumed. Of course, group 2 also lost weight. Waist circumference decreased by an average of 10 cm. Blood lipid and cholesterol levels also improved.
Other aspects you can consider when changing your diet to relieve psoriasis include the following:
Avoid sugar if you have psoriasis
Too much sugar can worsen inflammation, so simply eliminating sugar from your kitchen will do a lot for your skin. Don’t just eliminate the sugar bowl; also eliminate all processed foods that contain sugar (candy, instant dressings, canned goods, pickles, dips, sauces, etc.). And even when you’re out and about, remember that you’re currently living a sugar-free lifestyle!
Drink enough water
Water ensures that every part of the body is well hydrated – including the skin. With the help of water, the skin can more easily eliminate metabolic waste and also be better supplied with vital substances and nutrients. Therefore, drink pure water to rehydrate (no teas, soft drinks, juices, or coffee). Your skin will have a better texture, look healthier, and feel much better.
Reach for anti-inflammatory foods
Vegetables, berries, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices contain substances with anti-inflammatory effects. There is still no concrete scientific evidence as to whether these foods can help with psoriasis, but it is known that these foods generally have anti-inflammatory effects, which is why it can be assumed that this is also the case with psoriasis.
Prefer foods low in arachidonic acid
Arachidonic acid is a fatty acid found exclusively in animal foods, especially fatty meat and sausages. Arachidonic acid is known to fuel inflammation, for example, in arthritis, an inflammatory joint disease. So, try going vegetarian or vegan for a while and see what it does.
If you suspect psoriasis, try the milk-free test
Many people are milk intolerant but don’t even know it. This isn’t a case of lactose intolerance or a milk allergy, but rather a milk protein intolerance, which can manifest itself in various ways. For some, it can result in skin problems, for others, chronic respiratory problems (frequent infections, constant coughing, etc.).
Dr. Jerry Bagel, a dermatologist who runs a skin clinic in New Jersey, USA, also believes that cow’s milk is one of the main culprits when it comes to psoriasis. Dairy products not only provide the inflammatory arachidonic acid, but also casein, a protein with pro-inflammatory effects. Therefore, it’s extremely worthwhile to simply avoid dairy products if you have psoriasis.
Say no to junk food
Junk food usually consists of low-quality fats and isolated carbohydrates (white flour and sugar). Both food groups provide no nutrients and simultaneously promote inflammation.
Therefore, eat foods with a high nutrient density and avoid junk food with a low nutrient density. Examples of foods with a high nutrient density include cruciferous vegetables, herbs, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and legumes.
They provide many vitamins, minerals, and trace elements per 100g. Junk food, on the other hand, provides many nutrients (fat, carbohydrates, and protein) but few vital nutrients. Examples include cakes, pastries, snacks, ice cream, baked goods, etc.
Choose healthy fats if you have psoriasis
When it comes to oils and fats, the following is ideal:
This way, you’ll definitely avoid unhealthy and inflammatory trans fats. These are partially hydrogenated fats that can be found in some sweets, margarines, baked goods, and some convenience foods, or can be produced when frying even in your own home (especially when the same oil is heated repeatedly).
By using the recommended oils, you will also automatically avoid an excess of inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. These are found primarily in sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn germ oil, pumpkin seed oil, and soybean oil.
Say no to alcohol
According to dermatologist Dr. Bagel, alcohol should be avoided at all costs if you have psoriasis. Alcohol dilates the blood vessels in the skin. This makes it easier for T cells—specific immune cells thought to be responsible for psoriasis—to penetrate the outer layers of the skin, precisely where a psoriasis patient absolutely doesn’t need these cells. Even moderate alcohol consumption can progressively worsen psoriasis symptoms, says Dr. Bagel.
Check your sensitivity to nightshades
Some psoriasis patients report that they experience a psoriasis flare-up when they eat nightshade plants, such as eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, etc.
It is believed that the small amounts of solanine may be what trigger these flare-ups in solanine-sensitive people. Solanine is a secondary plant metabolite found in particularly high concentrations in the green parts of potatoes. It is also present in tiny amounts, imperceptible to healthy people, in the non-green parts of potatoes and other nightshade plants. Dr. Bagel explains:
I’m not sure if this aspect is really crucial. But I don’t mind patients just trying it out.”
Avoid your allergens
Anyone with allergies should definitely avoid their personal allergens. If you also have psoriasis, allergens could not only trigger your allergies but also trigger a new psoriasis flare-up.
Check for possible spice sensitivity
For some psoriasis patients, specific spices can trigger or aggravate a flare-up. Pay attention to whether you react to pepper, cinnamon, curry, vinegar, or chili and experience a worsening of symptoms.
Of course, you would also have to check which of your foods contain the spices that cause your psoriasis to worsen, such as Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, some types of ketchup, barbecue sauces, etc.
Proper nutrition for psoriasis – The practice
Of course, you don’t have to eliminate all of the foods mentioned from your diet. A healthy diet isn’t about eliminating or eliminating certain foods. Instead, it’s about replacing unhealthy foods with healthy ones.
It gets even easier for many people if they are advised to largely adhere to the recommendations of the so-called Mediterranean diet. This diet – according to a study in the Journal of Translational Medicine from January 2015 – has anti-inflammatory effects, helps combat obesity, and provides numerous vital nutrients and antioxidants without containing harmful foods. It therefore meets all the criteria for a psoriasis-friendly diet.
Mediterranean means: fresh fruit, plenty of freshly prepared vegetables, high-quality olive oil, wholegrain rice and potatoes (8) instead of baked goods and pasta, and eating fish every now and then.
Eating gluten-free – How it works
If you want to eat gluten-free, replace gluten-containing cereal products with gluten-free ones:
Instead of durum wheat pasta, opt for gluten-free pasta (rice noodles, buckwheat noodles, corn noodles, or low-carb pasta made from red lentils, mung beans, or chickpeas). Konjac noodles are also a good choice, as they can be very effective in helping with weight loss.
Instead of wheat bread, you eat gluten-free bread.
Wheat is replaced with millet, quinoa, corn, buckwheat, amaranth, teff, or even spelt and oats. The latter two are not gluten-free, but fit into a wheat-free diet.
Eating dairy-free – How it works
Instead of dairy products, meat, and sausage, eat much more vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruit. Those who don’t want to go vegan can include fish in their diet twice a week.
Seeds, sprouts, and nuts can be used to create wonderful pies, spreads, and “cheese,” while almonds, nuts, or grains can be used to make milk-like drinks and “cream” to refine sauces.
What criteria should the diet meet for psoriasis?
Since psoriasis is an autoimmune disease and involves the intestines (leaky gut syndrome), as well as chronic inflammation, the right diet for psoriasis should be the first priority.
be gut-friendly,
have an anti-inflammatory effect and
help to reduce excess weight.
To support and enhance the gut-friendly nature of your diet, you can take ½ teaspoon of bentonite and ½ teaspoon of psyllium husk (stirred into a large glass of water) before breakfast, or—if you prefer capsules—two capsules each. Drink 300–400 ml of water with each. This detoxifies the digestive system, meaning that potentially harmful substances that can aggravate psoriasis, irritate the immune system, and promote inflammation can be bound and eliminated. At the same time, digestion is activated and regulated.
Furthermore, it is known that some psoriasis patients experience an improvement in symptoms when they avoid wheat or gluten, while others experience an improvement when they avoid dairy products.
Based on this background, we suggest a nutrition plan that is ideal for psoriasis patients. It should be:
low in gluten (can easily be made gluten-free)
wheat-free
dairy-free
arachidonic acid-free
sugar-free
vegan
anti-inflammatory
rich in antioxidants and
help with weight loss.
Do nightshades trigger your psoriasis?
Additionally, you can test whether nightshade plants or certain spices aggravate or trigger your psoriasis. Your plan will need to be adjusted accordingly. However, it’s rare for these two factors to exacerbate psoriasis, so simply taking the other criteria into account will improve psoriasis in most cases.
We wish you Bon Appetit and, of course, a speedy and lasting recovery!
Adherent fascia can be the cause of numerous complaints, including once you don’t associate with fascia. Fascia is a very resilient and elastic membrane that envelops organs and individual muscle strands, among other things. Fascia can stick together and harden. Pain occurs, from abdominal, neck, shoulder, back and joint pain – to pain that travels throughout the whole body. In this article we describe why this is the case and what you can do about it.
Fascia – the special connective tissue
The term “fascia” comes from Latin and means something like “band” or “bundle”, which describes the structure of the fascia tissue very well as it is part of the connective tissue. It is band-shaped, tear-resistant and rich in collagen and has a thickness of between 0.5 and 3 millimeters.
The fascia tissue consists of collagen fibers, water and various adhesives. This combination ensures stability, elasticity and lubricity.
Thus, the fascia give our body support, enable smooth movements and, if necessary, even allow a gentle movement of the organs.
As a network-like and extremely complex connective tissue, the fascia envelops all organs, muscles, vessels, bones, tendons and ligaments. They connect everything together, hold all parts of the body together and fix them in the right place.
However, the functions of this fabric go far beyond pure shaping and binding functions.
Fascia tissue – water reservoir and part of the immune system
For example, fascia tissue serves as an indispensable water reservoir due to its high water-binding capacity. It also plays a key role in the body’s defense function.
This tissue forms an important barrier that makes it much more difficult for foreign bodies to penetrate, and it also contains so-called macrophages.
These are phagocytes that are part of the immune system. They are able to enzymatically break down pathogenic microorganisms and tissue debris.
Fascia enables the movement of organs
The fascia tissue ensures that all of our organs and body parts always stay in their predetermined place. If this were not the case, they would tumble through the body with every movement.
But despite this organizing property, the tissue allows the organs to move from their fixed position when necessary. This is the elementary prerequisite for breathing, digestion, and even pregnancy to be possible at all.
When you breathe in, the lungs can expand and the organs in the abdominal cavity can be moved slightly downwards without one of these organs affecting the function of the other.
During pregnancy, almost all organs are pushed to the side so that the baby has enough space to grow. And even in this extreme situation, the organs do not suffer excessively because they are protected by the fascia tissue so that they do not rub directly against one another.
The different types of fascia
There are different types of fascia with different functions, which are divided into three groups:
Superficial fascia
… are located in the subcutaneous tissue and consist primarily of loose connective tissue and fatty tissue. They connect all organs and tissues with each other, store fat and water, serve as buffers and enable the organs to move.
Deep fascia
… have the most fibers and surround every single muscle, all bones and joints. This also includes the tendons, tendon plates, ligaments and joint capsules. Within the muscle, they separate the individual muscle fibers from each other so that they cannot rub against each other.
In addition, they are equipped with numerous sensory receptors. These react to mechanical and chemical stimuli as well as to temperature fluctuations. For this reason, this connective tissue is often referred to as a sensory organ.
In addition to the sensory receptors, this tissue area also contains all peripheral nerve endings, i.e. those nerves that lie outside the brain and spinal cord. Therefore, a large number of potential pain receptors are also found here.
Visceral fascia
… are responsible for the suspension and embedding of the internal organs and the brain. Each of these organs is equipped with a double layer of fascia for protection. Examples of this type of tissue are the meninges (membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord), the pericardium, the pleura of the lungs and the peritoneum.
Lack of exercise causes the connective tissue to stick together
In order for the fascia to remain stable and elastic at the same time, they need to be moved sufficiently. However, they should not be overloaded, because too much movement, as well as a lack of movement, can cause the connective tissue to start to stick together.
In this situation, their ability to glide is limited, which in turn has a significant impact on our mobility – and thus on our well-being.
How a disturbed lymphatic system causes the fascia to stick together
In addition to the blood vessels, the lymphatic vessels also run through the fascia tissue. The blood vessels transport nutrients to the cells, and the lymphatic vessels transport metabolic waste products and other harmful substances away from the cells.
The lymph flow is maintained exclusively by muscle movement, so the lymphatic system also depends on sufficient muscle activity, i.e. movement.
The Lymphatic system
If, for example, there is prolonged muscle tension, e.g. in the neck, shoulder or back area, the lymph flow there can be noticeably impaired due to the lack of muscle movement. Since this area is no longer moving adequately, it cannot be supplied with sufficient nutrients. And the removal of harmful substances no longer works either.
Since the lymph also transports the blood clotting factor fibrinogen, things can now become even more problematic. Normally, fibrinogen is present in the lymph in dissolved form. In the case of lymph congestion, however, the fibrinogen accumulates in the tissue and is then broken down into fibrin under the influence of other substances. Read more about lymphatic drainage here.
The blood clotting factor fibrinogen is transformed into fibrin – a “glue” produced by the body, whose normal job is to close wounds. However, since there is no wound, the fibrin sticks the surrounding connective tissue together instead.
Cause of indefinable pain
The stuck fascia now leads to two different problems: the loss of their tensile strength and flexibility significantly limits the mobility of the affected muscle fibers.
Also the nerves that run through this area of tissue can be compressed, which can lead to severe pain. This is pain whose cause cannot be identified on an X-ray, so in cases of indefinable pain, the connective tissue must always be considered.
According to fascia researcher Dr. Robert Schleip, human biologist and head of the Fascia Research Project at the University of Ulm, only 20 percent of back pain is caused by the intervertebral discs . The remaining 80 percent have other causes, including, not infrequently, stuck connective tissue.
When the fascia tissue hardens
Older people generally have a much lower proportion of fluid in their bodies than younger people. This loss of fluid naturally also affects the connective tissue.
The previously balanced ratio between fibrous and aqueous components shifts, which is why the connective tissue of older people often consists predominantly of solid, inflexible collagen fibers and significantly fewer elastic fibers.
As the fluid content changes, the spatial structure of the connective tissue also changes. Instead of the normal diamond-shaped arrangement, the fibers now look like a knotted ball of wool. The fascia grow into each other, become matted and begin to stick together at every corner and end.
This inevitably means that the muscles’ ability to move is increasingly restricted. If the connective tissue hardens, bending or stretching the joints becomes increasingly painful. The development of a so-called Baker’s cyst can also be encouraged by tense and hardened connective tissue.
Adherent and hardened fascia: A danger for organs and the brain
Since the connective tissue covers the entire organism like a net, it is only a matter of time before the organs are also affected by the hardening of the fascia. This is particularly dramatic because a rigid outer shell prevents the organs from absorbing sufficient nutrients and releasing harmful substances in the appropriate quantities.
The blood supply, and thus the oxygen supply to the organs, is also made more difficult, so that the vitality of the affected organs steadily decreases – all this less as a result of age than as a result of a lack of fluid and stuck or hardened connective tissue.
Even the connective tissue in the brain contracts in older people due to the lack of fluid. As a result, the space between the skull bone and the brain becomes increasingly larger.
This development is particularly fatal in the event of a fall on the head, as the brain then hits the top of the skull with force due to the large gap. The result of such a fall is often a traumatic brain injury , which can lead to serious brain injuries.
Muscle soreness: The result of damaged fascia
In addition to the adhesion and hardening of the connective tissue, excessive sporting activities and persistent poor posture can also contribute to its injury. For example, overstretching leads to damage to the collagenous fascia fibers.
A seemingly harmless overstretching can be noticed as muscle soreness, which is caused by overstressing the muscles. However, this causes fine tears in the fascia, which trigger small inflammatory processes. Therefore, muscle soreness is actually not as harmless as many people think. Fortunately, this injury usually heals within a few days.
The situation is completely different with a muscle strain or a torn muscle fiber. These are among the far more serious and therefore long-lasting injuries to the connective tissue, which also occur as a result of overstretching.
Tendon irritation and inflammation, heel spurs or tennis elbow are nothing more than injuries to the connective tissue, which indicate incorrect or excessive strain on the affected structures.
Furthermore, cuts, broken bones or any type of surgery lead to injuries to the connective tissue fibers, with the latter causing great damage to the tissue, as a particularly large number of fibers can be injured here.
Lack of exercise and stress
In order to maintain their stable and at the same time supple structure, the fasciae depend on adequate movement. A lack of movement leads to pathological changes in the connective tissue. It becomes matted, stuck together and hardened.
In particular, people who exclusively do sedentary work will experience changes in the tissue over time in the form of neck, shoulder or back pain.
The protective posture that everyone affected unconsciously adopts due to the pain makes the situation even worse, because the changed posture now causes an additional overload of the connective tissue in another place, which then also manifests itself in pain.
Just like a lack of exercise, persistent stress also has a negative effect on the tension of the connective tissue, which Dr. Robert Schleip was able to prove in his studies.
In stressful situations, the body releases special hormones that allow it to adapt to the changed situation. These hormones cause the connective tissue fibers to tense up without the muscles being involved in this process. As soon as the stress is over, the connective tissue relaxes again.
However, if the stress is not only short-term but persistent (chronic stress), the fascia remain permanently tense. As a result, they lose their flexibility, just like a permanently stretched rubber band, and eventually harden. For this reason, long-term stress situations can severely impair the mobility of those affected.
In addition, matting, adhesion or hardening of the connective tissue always has an impact on the nerve endings running through this tissue area. They can be literally squeezed together and immediately react with pain.
This clearly shows that pain is not only caused by tissue injuries. And since ongoing stress, not only in a professional context, has become almost a “normal” condition these days, it is not surprising that countless people complain of chronic joint, neck, shoulder or back pain.
Over acidification damages the fascia
Over acidification of the body indicates that the healthy ratio between acids and bases has shifted in favor of acids. Many factors can contribute to this over acidification. These include an unhealthy diet and lifestyle as well as persistent physical or mental stress.
An excess of acid damages the entire organism, and connective tissue is by no means exempt from this. Quite the opposite, because this tissue has particularly intensive contact with the acids that accumulate in the extracellular fluid due to its high fluid content.
This is the fluid that is found outside the cells throughout the body. Therefore, it is the fascia that is confronted with it in all areas and is therefore the first to react to over acidification.
The connective tissue loses its flexibility in an over-acidic body environment. It hardens and thereby impairs blood and lymph flow as well as muscle activity. The acid also irritates the sensitive tissue, so that inflammation can occur in all areas of the body.
The nerves surrounded by the fascia are also irritated by the excess acid, which in turn can manifest itself in indefinable pain.
Whiplash – A catastrophe for our fascia
Even minor rear-end collisions can lead to whiplash, as the force of the impact is transmitted to the entire body in a flash. All types of tissue are accelerated abruptly for a moment and then come to a sudden standstill. Not at the same time, however, but at an earlier or later point in time depending on the type of tissue. This situation causes total chaos in the body.
The head and neck are initially overstretched backwards before both are suddenly thrown forwards. The belt that is fastened causes the torso to twist internally on impact. The right shoulder, which was not held in place by the belt, is first pulled forwards and then downwards. The downward force presses the diaphragm onto the liver, which can overstretch or strain the liver’s strong ligaments.
From the liver, the impact force finally reaches the kidneys. Since these are not attached to strong ligaments like other organs, but are only protected by the renal fascia and renal fat, the kidney is pushed downwards and twists in the process.
Even the inside of the spine and skull are affected by the effects of such a thrust force. Ultimately, the entire fascia system is affected, so that after a while the effects of the accident are anchored throughout the body.
The pain that most often occurs after a car accident affects the neck and head. But other painful symptoms can also occur some time after the accident, which travel throughout the body – and which often no one associates with the “minor” whiplash.
The pain occurs here and there and the organism simply cannot rest. At some point, the constantly moving pain also puts a strain on the psyche of those affected.
Conventional diagnostic procedures will not be able to provide an explanation for this pain, because overstretched or injured fascia cannot be seen on an X-ray.
A changed fascial tension travels through the body
This example clearly shows that the entire organism is held together by connective tissue. Everything is connected to everything else and therefore a change in tissue tension can always have an impact on the tension of the fascia in other areas of the body.
For example, if the connective tissue of the liver hardens due to inflammation of the organ, the tension of the connective tissue in the area of the right kidney also changes. And ultimately the right shoulder is also affected.
The entire shoulder joint then sinks slightly downwards, towards the liver. This creates additional tension on the shoulder joint, which can ultimately severely impair the mobility of the right arm. Any shoulder and arm problems would therefore always be a case for the fascia specialist or osteopath.
Contact a specialist
If you are suffering from pain whose cause cannot be found, it is worth contacting a fascia specialist. There are now numerous therapists who offer targeted treatment in this area. Osteopathy, Rolfing, Visceral Manipulation and Senmotic therapy have achieved impressive results in this regard.
Manual treatment, which reaches even deep tissue layers, is the focus of every fascia therapy. The therapist’s sensitive hands can detect adhesions or hardening of the connective tissue and dissolve them. In this way, experienced therapists – accompanied by targeted training – can restore the connective tissue to its original state.
Five Tips for Your Fascia Health
Below we give you some tips with which you can contribute to the flexibility and health of your connective tissue.
Tip 1 – Fascia training
The fascia tissue is very easy to train. Therefore, you can have a major impact on the health of your connective tissue through full-body stretching.
Training should always consist of soft, dynamic stretching exercises, which is why training methods such as yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and Qi Gong are particularly suitable for strengthening your connective tissue.
Regular exercise ensures that the connective tissue cells are stimulated to replace old collagen fibers with new ones. In addition, the entire body is supplied with better blood flow and thus optimally supplied with oxygen and nutrients.
The connective tissue changes slowly, but then permanently. For this reason, it is advisable to do the training regularly.
In addition to the exercise methods mentioned, you can find numerous targeted exercise programs on the Internet that you can carry out comfortably at home.
Tip 2 – Trampoline swinging
Swinging or jumping on a high-quality trampoline is also an excellent, gentle way to train the fascia.
At the same time, all major muscle groups are addressed, cartilage and intervertebral discs are vitalized and supplied with fluid through movement, the cardiovascular system is stimulated and the immune system is strengthened.
Trampoline swinging is most effective for the connective tissue when combined with one of the exercise workouts recommended above.
Tip 3 – Fascia roller for self-massage
The fascia roller is an additional tool for revitalizing the connective tissue. It is a firm foam roller that, in conjunction with special exercise routines, intensively massages the connective tissue. When used regularly, it is said to stimulate the tissue and loosen stuck tissue.
Tip 4 – Deacidification through alkaline intake
In order to create an optimal environment for your fascia tissue in which it can regenerate itself as best as possible, it is extremely important to deacidify the body. There are various measures available to you for this, which, when used in combination, achieve excellent results.
Therefore, first of all, opt for a plant-based, alkaline diet, as this allows the body to eliminate excess acids as quickly as possible. We have listed the foods that are best suited for this purpose in our acid-base table. Here’s the link to the acidic and alkaline foods PDF.
If possible, combine the alkaline diet with an additional intake of natural, alkaline food supplements, such as high-quality minerals (e.g. alkaline citrates ), alkaline juices (e.g. celery juice, cucumber juice, beetroot juice, etc.), bitter substances or similar products that increase the alkaline content in your body and at the same time promote the elimination of acids.
Of course, it is not “only” your connective tissue that benefits from the increased intake of alkaline foods and the elimination of excess acids, because now your entire organism can breathe a sigh of relief and activate its self-healing powers.
Tip 5 – Silicon and OPC strengthen the connective tissue
Silicon, together with OPC, is a good nutritional supplement for your connective tissue. Due to the outstanding property of both substances to accelerate the formation of collagen and elastin, they are extremely helpful for the rapid regeneration of connective tissue.
The silicon also ensures that the newly built fascia has optimal stability and elasticity, while OPC, as a powerful antioxidant, protects the connective tissue cells from the destructive effects of free radicals and also promotes tissue regeneration.
Conclusion on the fascia
You now know the extremely important tasks that connective tissue performs and the consequences that can result from stuck, hardened or injured fascia. It is therefore always worth taking action and taking measures to keep your connective tissue healthy and supple.
However, in the case of indefinable chronic pain, or after accidents and operations, you should definitely consult a fascia specialist or osteopath – so that you can enjoy your life pain-free again as quickly as possible.
Did you know that your fascia health plays a key role in your digestive system and overall vitality? When fascia becomes stuck and hardened, it can restrict organ movement, slow digestion, and even contribute to bloating and discomfort. Our Holistic Colon Hydrotherapy helps release these deep-seated adhesions, improve circulation, and support lymphatic drainage—restoring your body’s natural rhythm. If you’re looking for a gentle yet effective way to rejuvenate your gut and fascia health, book a session with us today!
Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) are very often prescribed because high cholesterol levels are considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, cholesterol-lowering drugs can also have side effects. In addition, independent researchers repeatedly state that low cholesterol levels do not necessarily protect against heart attacks and strokes.
Statins and their side effects
Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) are taken by around 2.6 million people in Australia. Statins therefore represent a huge market. To ensure that even more people take them in the future, the cholesterol target values have been lowered again in the medical guidelines.
According to the 2016 guidelines, the so-called bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) should be reduced to the following values depending on the personal cardiovascular risk. The cardiovascular risk is determined depending on the patient’s risk factors (e.g. blood pressure, smoking, excess weight or waist circumference, diabetes, blood lipid levels, existing heart or vascular disease, kidney disease, etc.):
If the cardiovascular risk is very high, the LDL cholesterol level should be reduced to below 3.9 mmol/l
at high risk to below 5.6 mmol/l
at moderate risk to below 6.4 mmol/l
at low risk to below 7.2 mmol/l
The new guidelines now state the following:
in case of a very high cardiovascular risk, the LDL cholesterol level should be reduced to below 3.1 mmol/l
at high risk to below 3.9 mmol/l
at moderate risk to below 5.6 mmol/l
at low risk to below 6.6 mmol/l
With values this low, it is clear that there will hardly be anyone left who does not need statins. To ensure that every patient really does take the pills reliably, as little as possible is said about their side effects. In fact, if you read through the scientific literature, you almost believe that there are no side effects at all. And you think that cholesterol-lowering drugs are the only solution to protect yourself from cardiovascular events. Far from it!
Statins only when lifestyle changes fail
Statins are medications that are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels and are said to reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis ( hardening of the arteries ) and, as a result, the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Nowadays, you can even read that people who do not have high cholesterol levels could benefit from taking statins, because the cholesterol-lowering drugs not only lower cholesterol levels, but also have an anti-inflammatory effect – and chronic inflammation is in turn considered an important cause of cardiovascular diseases.
Officially, cholesterol-lowering drugs should only be given if lifestyle changes have not had the desired effect (change in diet, exercise, etc.). Since doctors rarely provide concrete help with such lifestyle changes, statins are usually prescribed very quickly.
How cholesterol-lowering drugs work
Statins inhibit an enzyme in the liver that is involved in cholesterol production. As a result, the liver produces less cholesterol. However, since it needs cholesterol, e.g. to produce bile acids, it draws more cholesterol from the rest of the body, with the effect that the LDL cholesterol level drops (by up to 60 percent).
Blood fats are also said to fall somewhat under the effect of cholesterol-lowering drugs, as are inflammation levels (CRP). At the same time, HDL cholesterol levels rise and plaque stability increases. The latter means that the deposits on the blood vessel walls become more stable, thus reducing the risk of a blood clot breaking loose.
Statins: The new miracle drugs?
In recent years, more and more studies have been published that confirm that statins have wonderful additional effects. The drugs are said to reduce the risk of cancer (10) (11) (12) (13) (14), have a positive effect on the intestinal flora ( 24 ) and even reduce the risk of death from Covid-19. One gets the impression that these are veritable super pills with almost exclusively positive effects.
As far as the Covid-19 issue is concerned, however, it quickly became apparent that the headline was a bit too exuberant, if not misleading. In reality, the study in question only found that cholesterol-lowering drugs did not increase the risk of death, as had initially been suspected, which can most likely be attributed to the anti-inflammatory effect of the drugs.
The side effects are trivialized
The side effects of statins are officially played down. The benefits far outweigh the risks, it is said again and again. After all, the risk of dying from a cardiovascular problem is significantly reduced, which is why you can accept a few side effects.
In a meta-study from 2018 (4), for example, researchers analyzed studies from 2000 to 2017 to determine the frequency of side effects of long-term statin use. The risk of diabetes is low, and is only higher in the case of corresponding pre-existing conditions (obesity, high blood pressure, etc.).
Treatment with cholesterol- lowering drugs does not affect cognitive functions, nor does kidney function deteriorate significantly. Not even an increased development of cataracts has been detected – and liver damage due to the drugs is very rare. Long-term treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs is therefore extremely safe and carries only a low risk of clinically relevant side effects.
The severity and frequency of the possible side effects are extremely low and affect only 0.5 to 1 percent of patients (7) (8). Are cholesterol-lowering drugs really harmless? The overwhelming number of studies that speak positively about statins at least give this impression. Sometimes, however, one is tempted to believe that these studies may have been directed and influenced accordingly.
For study number 4, for example, there were grants from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Esperion, Merck, Pfizer and Sanofi-Regeneron – all pharmaceutical giants that have statins or other lipid-lowering drugs in their programs. In addition, the authors stated that they occasionally receive money from pharmaceutical companies, for example for lectures or consulting work.
What are the side effects?
Many side effects are known for statins, such as neurological and neurocognitive disorders, cholesterol-lowering dementia, and liver and kidney damage. Digestive problems and back, neck, chest and joint pain can also be found on the package inserts for cholesterol-lowering drugs if you look at the adverse events section.
It also includes: weight gain, fever, hair loss, skin rash, itching, general weakness, water retention, tinnitus, headaches and much more.
We present particularly important side effects below:
Possible side effect cancer
Furthermore , a 2018 systematic review (15) of ten studies involving a total of 1,881 cancer patients and 1,572 deaths found that additional intake of cholesterol-lowering drugs had no positive effects in advanced cancer.
Low cholesterol levels in connection with taking statins are even associated with an increased risk of cancer, according to the authors of a 2015 study. Most studies with this group of drugs are too short to develop cancer. A longer study found that women who took cholesterol-lowering drugs for more than 10 years had a higher incidence of breast cancer (40).
Possible side effect: dysbiosis (disturbance of the intestinal flora)
As far as the intestinal flora is concerned, there are also studies that show the opposite, that statins have a negative effect on the intestinal flora. In 2017, a study was published (39) stating that the drugs led to a disturbance of the intestinal flora (dysbiosis) and that the now disturbed intestinal flora produced fewer short-chain fatty acids (which are important for the health of the intestinal mucosa).
This study also said that cholesterol-lowering drugs increased fasting blood sugar (thereby increasing the risk of diabetes) and also led to weight gain.
Statins can therefore – like any medication – have side effects. However, the risk of side effects varies depending on the cholesterol-lowering medication and also depending on the dose used.
Possible side effect diabetes
As already mentioned above, the risk of developing diabetes increases when taking statins. A 2019 study of 228,000 patients found that the risk of diabetes and skin infections increased significantly within three months of starting to take the medication. The skin infections were so severe that antibiotics were required.
A review from 2019 (published in the Journal of the American Heart Association ) also mentions diabetes as a possible side effect. Patients who are already overweight or have impaired blood sugar levels are particularly at risk, it says.
Possible side effect nightmares
Statins can even prevent restful sleep, as nightmares can apparently be one of their side effects. A 2005 study initially found that low cholesterol levels can cause nightmares (37).
If cholesterol-lowering drugs lower cholesterol, then the drugs could also be responsible for nightmares, right? This is exactly what a case report published in the British Medical Journal in 2006 showed. In it, it was atorvastatin that caused nightmares (38). So if you suffer from sleep disorders and nightmares after taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, talk to your doctor!
Possible side effect weak tendons
Statins can also contribute to tendon disorders (43), even tendon ruptures. The Achilles tendon, the quadriceps tendon (pain above the kneecap or a feeling of weakness in the knee) and the distal biceps tendon are particularly affected. Problems with the latter often lead to load-dependent pain directly in the crook of the elbow when bending and rotating the forearm outwards.
Tendon disorders can occur, particularly in the first year of taking cholesterol-lowering medication. When the medication is stopped, the symptoms usually improve. The risk of tendon rupture increases if certain diseases are present, such as diabetes, gout, rheumatism or chronic kidney disease. In addition to cholesterol-lowering medication, corticosteroids (cortisone) and fluoroquinolones (a certain type of antibiotic, which were already mentioned above under muscle diseases) can also lead to tendon ruptures. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking medication, speak to your doctor and look for alternatives (see link at the bottom for natural cholesterol-lowering)!
Possible side effect muscle pain
Other studies indicate that up to 10 percent of patients taking cholesterol-lowering drugs report muscle pain (myalgia). In some parts the figure is even as high as 30 percent.
The symptoms are so unpleasant that many patients stop taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, according to a 2019 review. The so-called statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS for short) account for up to 72 percent of cholesterol-lowering drug side effects (1).
However, people like to blame the pain on the nocebo effect. Nocebo means (in contrast to placebo) that patients imagine a drug to have a harmful effect, for example because they have heard or read about the corresponding side effect. A study from 2017 claims to have proven exactly that (2). But it was financed by Pfizer, one of the world’s largest statin manufacturers.
From 2003 to 2011, Pfizer generated annual sales of between 9 and more than 12 billion dollars with the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) alone. Then the patent expired, so that Pfizer’s annual sales of this cholesterol-lowering drug currently amount to “only” 2 billion dollars.
Another explanation for muscle pain is that the affected people have muscle pain anyway. After all, older people in particular often have muscle pain, it is said, even if they are not taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. However, if the drugs are taken, then any muscle pain that occurs is simply attributed to the cholesterol-lowering drugs.
A muscle disease is only considered to be confirmed if elevated creatine kinase levels can be detected in the serum. This can manifest itself in muscle weakness, muscle pain, muscle stiffness and muscle cramps. Creatine kinase is an enzyme whose level increases when muscle cells break down.
Life-threatening complication under statins: rhabdomyolysis
A dangerous complication of the myopathies mentioned above is the so-called rhabdomyolysis. This disease is accompanied by a serious breakdown of muscle cells. The muscle dissolves. One of the breakdown products (myoglobin) is excreted via the kidneys and can damage the kidneys so severely that acute (and fatal) kidney failure can occur.
Although this complication is life-threatening, it is fortunately rare (1 affected person in 100,000 statin patients).
Due to deaths caused by rhabdomyolysis, the pharmaceutical company Bayer had to withdraw its cholesterol-lowering drug Lipobay (cerivastatin) from the market in 2001 – four years after it was approved. 100 people died of rhabdomyolysis after taking the cholesterol-lowering drug. 1,600 people became seriously ill, often with irreversible damage.
Bayer had to pay over 1.1 billion dollars to the victims in the USA. As recently as 2013, an Italian doctor received 350,000 euros because he had prescribed Lipobay in 1999 and only two months later became so ill with rhabdomyolysis that he was permanently unable to work and had to live on a disability pension from then on.
Be careful if you are taking other medications
Many of the Lipobay victims are said to have become ill because they had taken other medications (e.g. fibrates to lower triglycerides) in addition to cholesterol-lowering drugs. This combination is said to drastically increase the risk of muscle damage.
Lipobay disappeared, but the risk of myopathy caused by statins did not. Even today’s cholesterol-lowering drugs can trigger muscle breakdown, especially when they are taken together with other drugs, such as Lipobay.
Antibiotics from the macrolide group (e.g. clarithromycin, which is often used to combat the stomach germ Helicobacter pylori, or erythromycin, which is given for bronchitis, otitis media or sinusitis.)
Cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant that is even said to be used in Covid-19) (33)
Fluconazole (an anti-fungal drug that is prescribed for Candida infections, for example )
Therefore, if you need to take other medications in addition to cholesterol-lowering drugs, be sure to inquire about possible interactions (34).
Not all statins are the same
However, not all cholesterol-lowering drugs are equally risky. For example, if simvastatin is taken in higher doses (80 mg per day), the risk of rhabdomyolysis increases disproportionately. Since the cholesterol-lowering drug also lowers LDL cholesterol levels even less effectively than rosuvastatin, for example, there is currently not much to be said for simvastatin ( 35 ). It is therefore worth asking more detailed questions or getting a second opinion.
Other medications that cause muscle disorders
Statins are not the only drugs that can cause myopathy. The following drugs can also lead to rhabdomyolysis (and many other side effects):
Isotretinoin (strong medication against acne)
Levofloxacin (antibiotic from the fluoroquinolone group)
Ezetimibe (a cholesterol-lowering drug from the group of cholesterol absorption inhibitors, inhibits cholesterol absorption in the intestine)
Co-trimoxazole (an antibiotic that is prescribed for bacterial urinary tract infections, for example)
Venlafaxine (an antidepressant used to treat depression with anxiety and panic disorders).
We are probably not being told everything about the effects and side effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs, because independent researchers keep reporting that the drugs are not as good as we are led to believe.
In many studies the side effects are neglected!
Dr. David M. Diamond, Professor of Psychology, Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of South Florida and Dr. Uffe Ravnskov, independent health researcher and expert on cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases, criticize the fact that in many studies the side effects are neglected and, above all, many studies have been statistically “beautified” in order to make the cholesterol-lowering drugs appear better than they actually are (17) (18).
Although the drugs can dramatically lower cholesterol levels, they do not significantly prevent cardiovascular events. The claims that cholesterol-lowering drugs are real lifesavers because they prevent strokes, heart attacks and other heart-related deaths are exaggerated.
In addition, side effects are more common than reported in the media or conferences, and so the balance is no longer so in favor of statins when it comes to weighing side effects and effects (40) (41).
Cholesterol-lowering drugs do not work as well as expected
Numerous studies, reviews and meta-analyses show how well statins can lower cholesterol levels and how well they subsequently appear to reduce the risk of heart attack. In a meta-study from 2003 (5), for example, British researchers examined over 200 studies and found the following:
The results in 164 of the studies showed that LDL levels could be reduced by between 40 and 60 percent, depending on the drug. 58 studies indicated a reduction in the risk of heart attack of 11 percent in the first year, 24 percent after two years, 33 percent after 3 to 5 years, and 36 percent beyond that. If the dose of cholesterol-lowering drugs is increased, the risk of heart attack can be reduced by a further 15 percent (compared to the lower dose), according to a 2010 study (6).
With these numbers, you would actually want to immediately take the next best cholesterol-lowering drug in the highest possible dose. But there are also other studies, such as a study (9) from 2016 with 17,082 subjects. They had an average LDL cholesterol level of 108 mg/dl and were given 20 mg of rosuvastatin or a placebo daily.
Study: Cholesterol-lowering drugs fail in one in ten patients
In the statin group, the drug reduced LDL cholesterol levels by 50 percent or more in 3,640 people. In another 3,365 people, it reduced levels by less than 50 percent (but more than 0 percent). However, in 851 participants (10.8 percent), levels did not change or even worsened, which would indicate that cholesterol-lowering drugs fail in one in ten patients.
Study: Cholesterol-lowering drugs do not work as hoped for half of patients
A study from spring 2019 of over 165,000 patients found that cholesterol-lowering drugs did not lower cholesterol levels as well as had been hoped in half of all patients. According to this study, many patients had not yet achieved the desired low cholesterol level even after taking the medication for two years.
In addition, cardiovascular disease occurred in 22,798 patients despite taking cholesterol-lowering drugs – even though the drugs had optimally reduced cholesterol levels in 10,656 of these patients, which shows that the prevention of cardiovascular disease should certainly not only be about cholesterol levels.
Lower cholesterol levels without statins and without side effects
Statins do not seem to be the miracle cure after all. And so the question arises as to how the goal – a longer and heart-healthy life – could be achieved in another way, namely one without side effects?
If you were to take the holistic approach instead of taking medication, your cardiovascular risk would be reduced by two or three times. Your blood pressure would also drop, your blood sugar level would be regulated, excess weight would disappear, chronic fatigue would disappear, joint pain would subside, your digestion would improve, your fitness would increase and much more. And all of this without the sword of Damocles of side effects that constantly hangs over your head when you are under conventional medical “care”.
Poor dental health can cause chronic inflammatory bowel disease or at least make it worse. If you take care of your teeth and oral flora, you can prevent these diseases or avoid flare-ups. A healthy oral flora is therefore an important prerequisite for a healthy gut.
Sick gums: contributing cause of intestinal inflammation
Those who regularly miss their dental check-ups risk much more than just tooth decay. Poor tooth and gum health (e.g. periodontitis, gingivitis) can cause chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or even cancer and Alzheimer’s .
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, are also associated with poor dental health, researchers announced in June 2020.
Eighty-five thousand adults in Australia are affected by chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, although it is assumed that there are a high number of unreported cases and that these diseases will continue to increase in the coming years.
The symptoms of diarrhea and pain reduce the quality of life enormously. Since there is no curative therapy, only medication with many side effects, people are feverishly looking for solutions.
Bacteria from the oral flora migrate into the intestine
Nobuhiko Kamada, Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan , has been researching the intestinal flora—the totality of all microorganisms in the digestive system—for many years and has found that foreign bacterial strains are prevalent in the intestines of patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease. In this case, he refers to “foreign bacterial strains” as bacteria that do not normally live in the intestines but in the oral cavity (1).
In his study, which was published in the journal Cell in June 2020, Kamada was able to demonstrate two mechanisms by which bacteria in the oral flora can worsen intestinal inflammation.
Gingivitis worsens intestinal inflammation
If periodontitis is present (inflammation of the gums and periodontal ligament), there is an imbalance in the distribution of bacteria in the oral flora, which means that inflammation-promoting bacteria take over. Unfortunately, these do not stay in the oral cavity, but migrate further into the intestines, where they can contribute to the development of inflammation.
If the intestinal flora is healthy, the mere migration of the oral flora bacteria into the intestine would not cause any noticeable inflammation in the intestine. This is because a healthy intestinal flora does not allow other microorganisms to settle in its territory. However, if the intestinal flora is already disturbed, e.g. in the case of a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, then the bacteria in the oral flora can spread almost unhindered and worsen the inflammation.
In mice, a more severe course of the disease was observed in those animals that had both inflammatory gum disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
Sick gums promote autoimmune processes in the intestine
The second mechanism by which a disturbed oral flora can worsen intestinal inflammation is the following: When gum inflammation is present, certain immune cells are activated in the oral mucosa, so-called TH17 cells, which can trigger inflammatory autoimmune processes.
These TH17 cells can migrate into the intestine and cause problems there. The healthy intestinal flora would of course be able to keep the TH17 cells in check, since in a healthy environment there are always sufficient regulatory cells that prevent autoimmune processes and excessive inflammatory reactions.
However, in the case of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, an autoimmune process is already taking place in the intestine. If a large number of TH17 cells from the oral cavity arrive on top of this, they can trigger the existing inflammation even further and make the disease worse.
If you treat gingivitis, the intestines will improve
For people with intestinal inflammation, these findings mean that they should definitely take care of their dental and gum health—especially if they also suffer from an oral disease—in order to ultimately improve their intestinal health in this way.
Dr. Shrinivas Bishu, Professor of Gastroenterology, is really excited about the prospect of being able to alleviate chronic inflammatory bowel disease in this way. “For many patients, standard medications for intestinal inflammation are completely ineffective, significantly reducing their quality of life and often leading to the need for surgery.”
Of course, you should discuss the specific procedure with your dentist. But you can also do a lot at home to ensure good tooth and gum health, even if you already have periodontitis . In particular, the right diet and nutritional supplements (e.g., vitamin D, vitamin C, omega 3 and antioxidants) can have a big impact and alleviate, if not cure, gum inflammation, as a study from 2017 found.
