[MelodyL]

Alan and I were in Dunkin Donuts reading today's Daily News. In the Magazine Section, on the page HEALTH SMART by Dr. Tedd Mitchell,there's a whole article titled:

DIABETIC?? CHOLESTEROL DRUGS MAY PREVENT FOOT DAMAGE.
I'm typing the whole article into this post:
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50% of diabetics have a serious disorder that can lead to amputation.

If you're diabetic and your feet or hands sting, tingle or lack sensation, the cause maybe be nerve damage called peripheral sensory diabetic neuropathy.

About half of all diabetics have it, says the American Diabetes Association. The serious condition can lead to ulcers, infections and even amputations.

The good news: Research finds that two types of lipid-lowering drugs---statins and fibrates, both used to prevent cardiovascular disease--can reduce your risk of developing neuropathy. And if you already have nerve damage, these medicines may slow its progress, says lead researcher Timothy Davis, M>D. Ph.D. professor of medicine at the University of Western Australia.

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The rest of the article simply states the obvious information about examining your feet, using lotion (except between the toes), Work out wisely, exercising wisely, for example, rowing, swimming or cycling.

I have read many posts on the negative side effects of statins. I was once put on statins at Cornell. Not because I had a cholesterol problem but as a preventive thing. It killed my arms, (muscle pain) so they took me off of the zocor. Wasn't on it for too many months.

So I just wanted to share this article with all of you

Melody