Is Your Cholesterol Medicine Causing Muscle Loss?

In a newly released large study from the UK it has been revealed that regular statin use is positively correlated with a decline in muscle mass and muscle function.

Skeletal muscle mass is a vital system that is vastly important for health and longevity for numerous reasons. Consider the following roles of muscle for health:

1. Regulates Blood Sugar & Prevents Insulin Resistance

• Skeletal muscle is the largest glucose-using tissue in the body.

• Stores glucose as glycogen

• Improves insulin sensitivity

• Low muscle mass is strongly linked to type 2 diabetes

• More muscle = better blood sugar control, even at rest

2. Increases Metabolic Rate

• Muscle is metabolically active tissue.

• Burns more calories than fat, even while resting

• Helps prevent metabolic slowdown during aging or weight loss

• Supports long-term weight maintenance

3. Protects Against Aging & Frailty

• Preserves mobility and independence

• Reduces risk of falls and fractures

• Improves balance, coordination, and reaction time

• Strong predictor of healthy lifespan

• Loss of muscle (sarcopenia) is a major driver of aging-related decline

  
  

4. Improves Hormonal Health

• Resistance training and muscle mass positively influence hormones.

• Increases insulin sensitivity

• Supports growth hormone and testosterone (in all sexes)

• Reduces cortisol over time

• Improves thyroid hormone conversion

5. Supports Bone Density & Joint Health

• Muscles and bones work together.

• Muscle contractions stimulate bone formation

• Reduces osteoporosis risk

• Protects joints by improving stability and alignment

• Decreases chronic pain and injury risk

6. Enhances Cardiovascular Health

• Improves blood pressure regulation

• Enhances circulation and vascular function

• Reduces cardiovascular disease risk

• Improves exercise tolerance

7. Reduces Chronic Inflammation

• Higher muscle mass is associated with lower inflammation markers

• Produces anti-inflammatory myokines

• Helps counteract chronic inflammatory diseases

• Improves immune function

8. Improves Mental Health & Brain Function

• Muscle-building activities benefit the brain

• Reduces anxiety and depression

• Improves cognitive function and memory

• Increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

• Enhances sleep quality

9. Improves Recovery & Resilience

• Muscle mass helps the body handle stressors

• Faster recovery from illness or injury

• Better tolerance to surgery and hospitalization

• Reduces complication rates from injury or surgery

10. Strong Predictor of Longevity

• Muscle mass and strength are powerful predictors of survival

• Grip strength correlates with all-cause mortality

• Muscle loss is linked to earlier death—independent of body fat

• Strength training reduces mortality risk across all ages

In medicine, as in life in general, there are many trade-offs as it pertains to interventions. There are some people who benefit from statins. However we must ask if too many people are reflexively placed on these medications and what is the cost?

As you can see, the role of maintaining skeletal muscle mass is of such paramount importance to many aspects of health that we should be very hesitant to introduce any substance that would interfere with its role in the body, especially with medications which may not produce proportional benefit.

If you have been having symptoms related to this such as weakness, unexplained soreness, poor balance, decreased cognition, etc. you should take a look at your medication list and diligently inquire about the role of any medications, including statins, in your symptoms.

Be well and stay strong.

GK