| Statin drugs are linked to increased risk for the | | | | diabetes, insulin resistance also contributes to |
| development of Diabetes. A recent, large clinical | | | | progression of cancer. Diabetes itself is a disease of |
| study clearly linked major statin drugs to a statistically | | | | disabling chronic complications such as kidney failure, |
| significant increased risk for developing diabetes. In | | | | blindness and leg amputation, just to name a few. |
| this study (1), researchers performed a meta-analysis | | | | Ironically diabetes also significantly increases your risk |
| of 13 statin studies and found a statistically significant, | | | | for coronary artery disease. If a statin drug increases |
| overall 9% increase in the risk for developing | | | | your odds of developing diabetes, one truly has to |
| diabetes. The risks of developing diabetes associated | | | | question the overall benefits of these drugs. |
| with individual statin were as follows: Atorvastatin | | | | Especially because these drugs often cause various |
| (Lipitor) = 14% Simvastatin (Zocor) = 11% | | | | side-effects. Muscle aches and pains are common |
| Rosuvastatin (Crestor) = 18% Pravastatin (Pravachol) | | | | side-effects, which are quite disabling for a large |
| = 3% Also, in an earlier study, researchers were | | | | number of patients. Sometimes these drugs can |
| surprised to find an increased risk for developing | | | | cause even more serious side-effects such as kidney |
| diabetes. This study was called JUPITER (Use of | | | | failure and liver failure. |
| Statins in Primary Prevention: An intervention Trial | | | | The vital question is this: Insulin resistance is the |
| Evaluating Rosuvastatin). This trial was aimed at | | | | common link between heart disease and diabetes. In |
| seeking more people to go on a statin, rosuvastatin | | | | addition, it also contributes to the progression of |
| (Crestor). Both of these studies clearly fuel fire to | | | | cancer. So, why not focus on treating Insulin |
| the ongoing controversy about the risk versus | | | | Resistance: the root cause of three major diseases. |
| benefits of statin drugs. | | | | Whether to go on a statin drug (or any drug |
| The real concern is this: Diabetes develops due to an | | | | treatment for that matter)or not, is ultimately a |
| underlying disease process in the body called insulin | | | | decision between a physician and his/her patient. |
| resistance. Obviously, one has to wonder if statin | | | | However, it is the responsibility of the prescribing |
| drugs can worsen insulin resistance in some individuals. | | | | physician to lay down all the potential benefits and |
| Possible mechanisms include: 1. Decrease in physical | | | | risks associated with a drug and let the patient make |
| activity due to statin-induced muscle aches 2. Possible | | | | the final decision. This is good medicine! |
| direct effect of statin on muscles to worsen insulin | | | | References: 1. Sattar N, Preiss D, Murray HM, et |
| resistance 3. A decrease in vitamin D level (Vitamin D | | | | al.Statins and risk of incidental diabetes: a collaborative |
| is synthesized from Cholesterol). Low vitamin D | | | | meta-analysis of randomized statin trials. |
| worsens insulin resistance. In addition to causing | | | | |