Can statins cause weight gain?

Ah, statins. These little pills are supposed to be a miracle drug for anyone with high cholesterol levels. But wait, you hear rumors online that they can make you gain weight? Say what now?! You’ve been trying to lose those extra pounds for ages and the last thing you need is more fat on your hips!

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into this controversial topic: Can statins cause weight gain? Buckle up and let’s get started.

What are statins anyway?

Pause right there if you haven’t a clue about what statins are. Let’s dust off our lab coats and brush up on some terminology here folks! Statins belong to a class of drugs called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (try saying that five times in a row without getting tongue tied!). They work by blocking an enzyme in your liver responsible for making cholesterol, lowering its level in your bloodstreams.

Statins have proven effective in reducing heart attacks, strokes and death from cardiovascular diseases but like every other medication out there come with potential side effects.

Are those really serious side effects?

Nowadays, everything comes with possible risks: A walk down the street might result in a rare bird pooping on our heads or being attacked by bunnies (ok maybe not bunnies). The same goes for taking medicines including ones as commonly prescribed as paracetamol!

Serious situations aside (and ringing emergency services if necessary), these possibly unwanted reactions depend on the individual’s body chemistry- how else would we describe why Aunt Jemima swears porridge makes her skin glow yet Uncle Tunde thinks it tastes like wet cardboard?!

For most people who take them regularly though -some minor effects include digestive issues such as upset stomachs or gas- should subside within weeks after beginning treatment (so no need to worry if ‘loose stools’ are listed on the back of a bottle).

Wait, weight gain is possibly one of those effects…?

Indeed it is! A team led by Dr Steven Lotterer at New York City’s Rockefeller University discovered that people who took statins for less than two years gained slightly more weight than those who didn’t during that same period.

Not to freak you out but before we all start throwing our medicines into the bin thinking losing some grams will make us look like Christian Bale in American Psycho- let’s break this down.

The study included only 40 (yes, four-zero) people and findings didn’t necessarily prove gaining extra fat was solely due to taking statins (so calm down please). The increase could also be attributed to ageing or other influencing factors such as being sedentary which leads to slowed metabolism -Booo!

So while anecdotally most individuals say they experience no significant changes in their overall body structure or size once medicating with Statins, It doesn’t hurt/There’s nothing wrong if you pay attention to your body after starting a new drug just so you know what normal feels like. Any unexplained pound cake bulges can always spark off conversations with your doctor about adjusting diet routines and prescriptions.

Can there be any correlation between statin usage & increased appetite?

It matters not whether one gulps over-sized burgers every-other-day or nibbles hopefully from tiny ramekins- perceptions and experiences when it comes upping food portions differ per person.
For instance- I watched Sex & The City enough times to convince myself snapping shut my salad box whilst staring enviously as colleagues bit lusciously into full-fat cheeseburgers is something I should aspire towards…

Back on topic here now Folks: Various studies document suggestions that Statin use might lead alongside slight increases in BMI when compared with nonstatin users (BMI refers broadly to body mass index- a frequently used tool that assists in measuring muscle, bone mass but crudely lumping it for the most part to body fat and weight measurement).

One 2014 meta-analysis of data published by pharmaceutical company Merck found out of around 135,000 people included in studies such as Hps2-thrive – The Lancet (another study watched/statin-ed populations from four different countries) weight gain was mild on average per participant; Over some years adding up to +.6-1.25kg/one or two pounds.

Shocking? We know right?! If you ask us though its barely enough to make anyone really susceptible not even myself who’s won more gold medals for binge-watching Netflix than any other activity they might engage in.

Could this actually be tied to nutrient absorption?

Let Us Take A Trip Down Our Digestive Lanes Now: Does what we consume determine how many calories go down or could something else be behind Statins’ reputation aggravating our wallets and forcing shopping excursions early due to all those extra large pants purchasing now needed (if only jeans were simpler like Apple charging ports).

As noted earlier, statins work by reducing the amount of cholesterol produced by your liver-so far so good right? Well – Increased nutrient deficiencies have been observed/documented with increased prescriptions may also decrease absorption of Vitamins KEY Like B , CoQ10 & D which are vital for various functions within our bodies including metabolism and strengthening muscle fibers.The very same processes responsible for keeping us moving at full-speed ahead- literally!

Overall point here is roughly similar Many times: Unnecessary consumption/Taking supplements during medication should never happen without consulting with a certified physician first-this helps prevent/manage unforeseen reactions/toxicities.

So What’s The Verdict Then Even As More Studies Continue To Be Conducted….

True, additional research needs conclusive evidence before settling on anything concrete (which might take a long while). However, don’t toss that prescription in the bin just yet. The health benefits of Statins for individuals with high cholesterol far outweighs any slight weight gain it may cause.

Consulting your GP is always advisable at every stage of life when considering new medication, dietary and lifestyle changes.Based on history and metabolic rate, They have a better understanding to help ensure all precautions are taken without significant complications or reactions occuring over time-thus reducing risk factors down the line significantly!

Random Posts