Take cholesterol-lowering drugs? Here’s something shocking: You’re more likely to overeat. A new study from the University of Tokyo says that those who regularly took statins, a type of cholesterol-lowering drug, increased their caloric intake over a 10 year period, though researchers aren’t quite sure why.
Led by Dr. Takehiro Sugiyama from the University of Tokyo, Sugiyama speculates that taking statins may give people the wrong idea that they don’t have to watch what they eat–a behavior that can ultimately led to weight gain.
“We believe that physicians need to reemphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle to statin-users,” says Sugiyama. “We suppose (patients) noticed the potency of the statin treatment because their LDL-cholesterol level would drop drastically regardless of no change on diet. Through this process, statin users may learn that they do not need to restrict their diet to achieve the LDL-level goal.”
Unfortunately, this belief can lead them to consume more calories–and while their cholesterol levels may appear normal, the excess weight gain can still take a toll on their heart health. That’s not necessarily good, as risk rates of heart disease continue to rise.
“I think the biggest impact of this trial is that as physicians when we put patients on statins it shouldn’t be the end of the discussion about other lifestyle interventions,” says Dr. David Frid, a staff cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “Even on a statin, you do need to continue following your dietary recommendations.”
The Research
So what exactly did Sugiyama find? Here’s what led him to find that statins increase weight gain:
- For the study, he and other researchers gathered data from a national survey of U.S. adults conducted every two years, which looked at their lifestyle and dietary habits. Doing this would allow Sugiyama to see how they ate–and how many calories they were consuming.
- Next, he tracked down those who were on statins and those who weren’t on statins, comparing their caloric intake from 1999 to 2010. At first, statin users seemed to eat fewer calories than average, but as time passed, he found that their caloric intake increased.
- Looking at data from 2006, he saw that their caloric intake matched those who didn’t need statins–showing a troubling trend that worsened the more he looked at the data.
In total, statin users consumed around 2,000 calories per day in 1999, a relatively healthy amount–but fast forward several years and that amount increased by 10 percent. While it may sound small, just a 10 percent increase from 2,000 calories equals 200 calories, something which over the long haul can equal more weight gain.
“Over-relying on medication would cause side effects, unnecessary medical costs and perhaps an ethical concern,” says Frid. “I think physicians need to reemphasize the importance of dietary control for statin-users.”
What This Data Means
While this data does not mean that statin drugs alone cause weight gain, it does show that those who think they can rely on drugs to stay healthy may be more prone to eating more–something that could be detrimental in the long run. Your take home point: Never rely on drugs to stay healthy. For optimal health, watch your calories and make sure you’re eating a balanced diet; nothing in the world can replace a clean diet.
Readers: What other lifestyle habits do you practice to keep your cholesterol healthy?
Source:
Cholesterol Drugs Cause People to Eat More Calories, Say Researchers – Reuters.com
About The Author: Zero to Hero Fitness
Our mission at Zero to Hero Fitness is to help you to finally lose the weight and keep it off, strengthen your body and mind, and experience naturally high levels of energy throughout the day. We believe everyone, regardless of your past or current struggles with your health or fitness, can greatly improve on your existing condition and live life in your best body possible.