For decades, statins—the most common cholesterol-lowering medications—have been recognized as a lifesaver for those with heart disease. While statins have revolutionized heart health in a positive way, some studies highlight the lesser-known concerns of the medication: energy-sapping, increased diabetes risk, and, for many people, muscle pain.
The Puzzling Link Between Statins and Insulin Resistance
A recent systematic review of 11 epidemiological studies with nearly 47 million participants found associations between statin use and decreased insulin sensitivity, as well as insulin resistance—both significant factors for developing Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, statins were found to reduce glycemic control and elevate fasting glucose levels.
Experts are uncertain about the precise mechanism through which statins might impact insulin resistance, considering their advantages, such as lowering inflammation, decreasing oxidative stress, and enhancing endothelial function—all of which actually improve insulin sensitivity rather than diminish it.
A 2021 study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology also found that statins can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, but how was unclear. In weighing the potential risks of statins, however, most researchers and health care professionals still believe them to be more beneficial than harmful.
“It is generally viewed that the strengths of lower cholesterol by a lot outweigh a modest increase in insulin resistance,” Michael Snyder, a genetics professor and chair of the Genetics Department at Stanford University School of Medicine, told The Epoch Times.
But the double-sided nature of statins remains unclear to researchers, added Dr. Snyder, who has coauthored multiple studies investigating the correlation between statin usage and insulin intolerance.
Lifestyle factors like obesity also play a major role in insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is often associated with high body weight, which individuals can reduce to potentially offset statins’ effects, Dr. Snyder said.
Why Do Statins Drain Energy?
Fatigue and muscle pain seem to be common with statin use. A study of over 350 statin users found that 93 percent reported muscle pain and fatigue, while 85 percent reported weakness.
“This is of no surprise because of the well-documented effects that statins have on Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10), which is a primary cofactor for mitochondrial function,” Dr. Node Smith, a board-certified naturopathic physician, told The Epoch Times. Mitochondria create energy for the entire body at the cellular level. Therefore, in practical terms, statins can deplete the body’s cellular energy by depleting CoQ10, he added.
