Is There A Correlation Between Statins And Diabetes?

In five statin drug trials with 32,752 participants who were taking the leading cholesterol reducing drugs Pravachol, Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor and Mevacor, who did not have diabetes at the beginning of the study, 2,749 (8.5%) developed Type 2 Diabetes by the end of the trial. At the completion of the study, researchers in Ireland further investigated the correlation between Statins and Diabetes to determine whether high-dose statin drug therapy was associated with increased risk of new cases of adult onset diabetes compared with a moderate dose statin therapy.

Study on Statin Drugs Identifies Risk of Developing Type II Diabetes

The study found that approximately 1 out of every 498 patients on a high-dose statin drug therapy has a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Critics of the statin trials say that the patients who developed diabetes while participating in the study were already pre-diabetic, meaning they already had early symptoms of diabetes, including high levels of insulin in their blood, called insulin resistance, which means the body is producing too much insulin and the cells can no longer take-up any more of the hormone, and had an elevated blood sugar level before the study began, which are precursors to Type II Diabetes, but the levels are just not high enough to be classified as having full blown diabetes.

Statins are a class of drugs used in patients with heart disease or high levels of LDL cholesterol. Statins restrict the production of a chemical that causes the production of cholesterol in the liver. The build up of Low Density Lipoproteins, commonly referred to as Bad Cholesterol, is a frequent cause of heart disease and a contributor to Type 2 Diabetes.

Some patients with high levels of LDL cholesterol or heart disease add a CoQ10 supplement to their statin therapy, as Coenzyme Q10 has shown to reduce the effects of heart disease. LDL Cholesterol sticks to walls of arteries and blood vessels as it travels through the blood system. The increase of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream causes plaques to build up the arterial walls, which causes the arteries to become stiff, and closes the space for blood to travel, like traffic building up on a highway. As more and more cars clogs the roadway and restricts the efficient flow of traffic, arteries with plaque build-up restricts the flow of blood through the blood vessels to organs, tissues and cells.

The build up of cholesterol causes the arteries and blood vessels to become rigid, and in time forces the heart has to work harder to push blood through the circulatory system. This strain on the heart also causes arterial sclerosis. Statins help alleviate the build up of LDL cholesterol, while retaining HDL or good cholesterol.

How Can Statin Use Cause Type II Diabetes?

The body needs a certain amount of cholesterol in the blood to moderate the natural production of insulin and blood sugars. Studies show a correlation between long-term statin use and Type 2 Diabetes. High dose Statin drugs reduce the production of cholesterol below the body’s natural level of balance. This tricks the body in to thinking it needs to produce more insulin, which allows for the over production of insulin and blood sugars. The build up of insulin and blood glucose causes Type II Diabetes.

Natural Remedy for High Cholesterol

In addition to eating a heart healthy foods low in cholesterol and trans fats, as well as, maintaining a heart healthy exercise regimen, many people with heart disease have turned to Coenzyme Q10, also called CoQ10, which is a natural enzyme produced by the body that acts as the cells natural power plant. Around the age of 45, the natural production of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decrease. This is also about the time that many men begin to report higher instances of memory deficit issues, enlarged prostate or prostate infection, unhealthy weight gain which leads to Type II Diabetes, erectile dysfunction, low testosterone and heart disease, and even diseases such as cancer. Studies have shown that statin use also reduces the production of Coenzyme Q10. Taking a Coq10 supplement while on statin therapy may reverse some of the side effects of statins, such as nuscle ache or muscle atrophy.

By replenishing the levels of ubiquinol in the cells, the body’s cells are able to function properly, and fewer cells die due to lack of the enzyme. When coenzyme Q10 is introduced to the body, many people report improvement in memory, improved cardio vascular health, reduced high blood pressure, normalization of insulin in people with Type II Diabetes and overall improved health.

In Closing

While statin drugs are effective in treating people with heart disease, patients taking high-dose statin drugs should be tested before beginning a statin drug therapy, and at regular intervals to ensure their insulin and blood sugar levels are not too high or falling too low, to prevent the patient from developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Sources:

http://www.medicinenet.com/statins/article.htm

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/stroke/

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/22/one-in-four-americans-over-45-take-this-common-drug-that-causes-diabetes.aspx

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21693744

http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/news/20100217/statins-may-be-linked-to-diabetes-risk