These drugs to lower cholesterol levels weaken muscles as well as the nervous system

What effects do statins have on our muscles??

Researchers have now discovered that so-called statin-induced medications, which are usually prescribed to people with high cholesterol, can weaken the muscles and nervous system of those affected.

Scientists at ETH Zurich found in their current research that treatment with statins in people with high cholesterol levels weakens the muscles and nervous system of those affected. The experts published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Cell Metabolism".

There have been many negative statements about the side effects of statins in recent times. Researchers have now found that these damage our muscles and our nervous system. (Image: roger ashford / fotolia.com)

Statins reduce formation of brown adipose tissue

According to current medical information, statins reduce the formation of brown adipose tissue, which usually converts sugar and fat into heat. The brown adipose tissue helps people to better regulate their body temperature in winter, in addition, these people also suffer less often from obesity or diabetes.

How do white fat cells turn into brown fat cells??

The research team addressed the question of how white fat cells, which form the layer of fat under our skin, become beneficial brown adipocytes. In conducting cell culture experiments, the experts then found that the biochemical pathway responsible for cholesterol production plays a central role in this transformation. The scientists also discovered that the key molecule that regulates the transformation is the metabolite called geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate.

How do statins affect brown adipose tissue??

So-called positron emission tomography scans were performed in 8,500 patients. This study determined whether the subjects had brown adipose tissue. The physicians were also informed whether the patients took statins. The evaluation of the scans then showed that six percent of the patients who did not take the drug had brown adipose tissue. This tissue type was present in just over one percent of patients when taking these statins.

Statins protect against cardiovascular disease

The researchers conducted a separate 16-person clinical study to show that statins reduce the activity of brown adipose tissue. It must be remembered that statins are incredibly important to prevent cardiovascular disease. Statins save millions of lives around the world and are prescribed for a very good reason, explains study author Christian Wolfrum of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich). However, statins not only have a negative effect on brown adipose tissue, they also have at least one other negative effect: they increase the risk of developing diabetes at high doses. (As)