Statins' expanding powers
In 2019, around 92 million Americans reported that they'd taken a statin at one time or another. And today, according to the American Medical Association, more than 46 million Americans could cut their risk of cardiovascular disease by taking a statin -- but only about half of them are doing that regularly! That's a shame, because anyone with Type 2 diabetes, even if they are not yet at high-risk for cardiovascular complications, can significantly reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events and death by taking a statin, according to a new study in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
But protection from heart disease isn't all they're missing. The more we learn about statins, the more we discover how beneficial they can be. For folks with moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), statins may cut the risk of hospital-based surgery almost in half, according to a new study in the journal IBD. How? By profoundly reducing body-wide inflammation and moderating immune responses in the gut.
Add to that the indications of statins' ability to prevent or slow down cancer growth, decrease local recurrence, and improve survival, and you've got a pretty amazing little pill.
I take a statin along with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) because statins can decrease natural CoQ10 levels in the body, triggering muscle pain, lowering energy levels and causing inflammatory damage to cells throughout the body. Ask your doc if it's smart for you to take a statin and CoQ10 (then actually take 'em!). For more heart-smart info, check out michaelfroizenmd.substack.com.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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