All medications have benefits and side effects. Before taking a medication, it is helpful to understand both. That way, you can weigh the benefits that the medication will provide against any possible complications of taking it. Satin drugs can have mild side effects, such as nausea, muscle aches and gastrointestinal problems. In some cases, they can cause liver damage and severe muscle pain. However, they can also help you manage disease. If you think taking a statin may help, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how you can reduce side effects from this class of medications.
Lower Cholesterol
The Mayo Clinic claims that the main benefit of statins is that they are very effective at lowering your cholesterol levels. "They work by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. They may also help your body reabsorb cholesterol that has accumulated in plaques on your artery walls, helping prevent further blockage in your blood vessels," the Mayo Clinic reports. This can greatly reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke, especially when combined with healthy lifestyle changes.
Protect Against Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, taking a statin may help protect you against some forms of cancer, such as colorectal and skin cancers. The institute's website states that this is because "statins work against cellular functions that may help control tumor initiation, tumor growth and metastasis." It is believed that statins may interfere with the activity of an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. This, in turn, may lower the level of a salt called mevalonate, which may slow cancer growth. However, the use of statins for cancer prevention is still being investigated.
Make Bones Stronger
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there is some speculation that taking statins may make your bones healthier by stimulating bone formation and growth. If further research proves this connection, statins may be helpful in the treatment of osteoporosis by improving bone density and reducing the risk of fractures. However, other medications can currently be used to improve bone strength, and they are the medications of choice until more research confirms the connection between statins and bone strength.
Reduce Arthritis Symptoms
In a study by the "Journal of Indian Rheumatology Association," stains appear to have anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to modify the immune system. These benefits may help with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in your joints. According to the journal, "Statins have been shown to reduce the level of CRP (C-reactive protein) in patients with RA, which indicates anti-inflammatory effect of these agents, independent of their cholesterol-lowering effects." Along with other effects, taking statins may help to control conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Slow the Progression of Alzheimer's
While research is still in the early stages, a 2005 study in the "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry" found that patients who had Alzheimer's and were taking statins may have suffered from less cognitive decline than those not on statins. However, preliminary studies have been small, and more vigorous research is needed to prove this benefit.
