Do statins have side effects?
Nowadays statins are a fairly commonly prescribed medication. They may be prescribed as a result of worryingly raised cholesterol levels or perhaps in accordance with other risk factors including cardiovascular issues or diabetes.
However, depending on the degree of benefit this medication is expected to offer (be it a preventative measure or a treatment), could some of the side effects potentially outweigh the benefits? Some possible side effects are as follows:
- Low energy
- Digestive upset
- Achy muscles
- Wobbly blood sugar
- Brain fog
Throughout this blog I go into some of these possible side effects in more detail, and explore what can be done to help if you are worried.
1. Low energy
One relatively well known side effect of statins is a lack of energy. Now, whilst we know a lack of energy could be linked to a number of factors from poor diet to poor sleep habits (read our nutritionist Emma's blog for more common causes of low energy) if you are taking statins daily, there could be a more direct cause.
Statins, unfortunately, have been linked to a reduction in a specific nutrient in our bodies called co-enzyme q10.1 Co-enzyme occurs naturally throughout our system, but is particularly concentrated throughout our metabolically active cells such as our muscles. Therefore, it has an active part to play in supporting our energy levels and if our levels become reduced, we could struggle with symptoms of fatigue.
What can be done to help?
Whilst there are a number of ways you can work on increasing your energy levels naturally, from moving more, to limiting caffeine, if depleted, co-enzyme q10 levels are thought to be a main contributing factor so a supplement may be helpful. Co-enzyme q10 supplements are readily available to buy in local health foods stores.
2. Digestive upset
Whilst reducing cholesterol levels may be necessary in some cases, we mustn't forget that we do actually need some cholesterol for optimal health outcomes. One particular role of cholesterol in the body is to make bile acids in the liver.
We rely on bile to break down and absorb the fats from our diet. Dietary fats have a number of important roles from supporting the production of hormones to optimal brain functions. Therefore, we actually need cholesterol to help support fat metabolism more generally throughout our system.
What can be done to help?
Maintaining healthy liver functions and encouraging the proper movement of bile is therefore an important consideration if you are taking statins.
Luckily, our Digestisan remedy combines a number of herbal extracts including artichoke and dandelion to help support some of these key, digestive processes.
My Top Tip: Take 15-20 drops of Digestisan in a little water 3 times daily. I recommend taking it before meals to help prep the digestive system and combat digestive issues that might spring up after eating.
|
3. Achy muscles
Although the links between statins and muscle aches and pains aren't clear cut, the effects of statins on our levels of naturally occurring co-enzyme q10 might have some part to play when it comes to this symptom.
Co-enzyme q10 is thought to have an important role in overseeing muscle cell energy production so, if your levels become diminished, it's possible that fatigue, for one, could crop up. There is also the possibility of more long-term issues developing too, such as myopathy.
What can be done to help?
Whilst tips for keeping your muscles as healthy as possible include keeping properly hydrated, taking part in regular, gentle exercise and including essential electrolytes in your diet such as those included in our Balance Mineral Drink, if you suspect any muscular symptoms could be directly linked to your medication, a discussion with your doctor would be recommended.
In the meantime, a co-enzyme q10 supplement may also be a welcome addition.
4. Wobbly blood sugar
It's also become more recognised that statins may have some links with increases in blood sugar levels. Recent research has uncovered some of the underlying processes that may be involved, and it's thought that statins may risk preventing insulin from doing its job properly.2
As a result, our blood sugar levels may not be controlled so well and can become raised as a result. This is unfortunately is a pre-cursor to type II diabetes.
What can be done to help?
Taking extra care with your diet can help to negate further blood sugar issues. Ensure to include sources of complex carbohydrates including beans, lentils, and brown varieties of rice or pasta, rather than their white counterparts. These options are also rich in dietary fibre, as are fruit and vegetables, which can have positive effects on blood sugar levels.
Watch out for hidden sugars in sweetened drinks and processed or packaged foods too – even the seemingly savoury options!
Top tip: Include cinnamon in your daily diet (perfect as an alternative to sugar) to help further support your blood sugar levels and insulin responses.3 I like to mix a teaspoonful through some porridge or mix with some coconut oil to make some homemade cinnamon butter!
Please note, if you have any big concerns, regular checks with your doctor can help ensure that blood sugar levels are falling within the normal ranges.
5. Brain fog
As we've now come to understand, cholesterol is important for a number of bodily functions and the effects in the brain are no different. Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is thought to have important roles in the formation and maintenance of myelin sheaths (the fatty substance which helps insulate our nerve cells), plus the expression of neurotransmitters and steroid hormones. All of this has an important part to play in brain signalling.4
Therefore, there are some concerns about the effects the use of statins could have on cognitive functions in the long-term, although the links are somewhat mixed.4
What can be done to help?
As well as cholesterol, other essential dietary fats are also important for maintaining brain functions, especially omega-3. Although some of the 'low fat' advice that's often offered when it comes to cholesterol management can be somewhat confusing, healthy fats such as omega-3 certainly shouldn't be shunned.
Aim to include weekly portions of oily fish, or some plant based sources of this essential fatty acid including flaxseed oil, walnuts or chia seeds.
Understanding cholesterol...
Whilst your doctor may have informed you that your cholesterol levels are high and that's all there is to it, actually there are different types of cholesterol. So, my advice is to ask for your full results, so you can take the time to scour over them in a little more detail. A brief outline of how your results can be broken down, are as follows:
LDL (low-density lipoproteins) – This is known as our 'bad cholesterol' and is thought to contribute to unhealthy effects in the body. This includes affecting the structure and function of some of your major blood vessels. Levels under 3mmol/L are preferable.
HDL (high-density lipoproteins) – This is our good cholesterol and helps to recycle bad cholesterol in the body - hopefully before it can cause any damage! Higher levels are preferable, ideally above 1-1.5mmol/L.
Triglycerides – Triglycerides are considered a bad form of cholesterol as any excess calories, alcohol or sugar in the body are converted into triglycerides and then stored as fat throughout the body. Ideally, we want this number to be below 2mmol/L.
Total cholesterol – Total cholesterol is a measure of the different types and sizes of cholesterol including HDL, LDL and VLDL. Healthy total cholesterol levels should sit below 5mmol/L. on average, but some people will sit quite healthily at a higher level – we are not all identical.
Total cholesterol/HDL – Your total cholesterol level divided by your HDL levels is thought to be a marker of your risk of cardiovascular disease. Values below 4mmol/L are considered lower risk.
Natural cholesterol management – is it possible?
Whether the threat of potentially needing statins in the future is there, or if you're due a review with your doctor with the possibility of coming off the medication that you're already on, you may be wondering if there's anything you can do to support your cholesterol levels naturally.
Interestingly there is, and firstly I've detailed some dietary tips in my blog on this topic (click this link to explore more).
However, whilst dietary factors are important, actually, we've come to realise that moving more and supporting your digestive functions (more specifically liver function) may actually be key for managing healthy cholesterol levels. After all, it's your liver which recycles and metabolises the cholesterol and other fat components in your diet.
For more on this, read my other blog on this topic: 'Managing high cholesterol: is diet really the key?'
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096178/
2. https://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/63/11/3569
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12816793
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5830056/
