{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Intelligent Medicine | The Best of High Tech Medicine and Alternative Modalities","title":"Leyla Weighs In: How Long-Term Statin Use Affects Muscle Mass and Strength","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/1d278d5e\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1454,"description":"Leyla Muedin, a registered dietitian nutritionist, discusses a UK Biobank analysis published in the Journal of Cachexia, “Sarcopenia and Muscle” (Nov 2025) linking continuous long-term statin use (e.g., Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor) to accelerated declines in grip strength and appendicular lean mass compared with never-users. Among 35,557 with follow-up data, grip strength declined by a mean 0.315 kg/year and appendicular lean mass by 0.057 kg/year in statin users; findings persisted after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, comorbidities, and a pharmacogenomic statin-response score. Leyla notes possible mechanisms (CoQ10/mevalonate pathway effects, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, calcium disruption, insulin resistance) and advises monitoring musculoskeletal health, supporting diet and regular physical activity, while not interpreting results as a reason to stop prescribing statins.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/VqZUkCahxIiAeF5-K8EvRI1GWNHpDBp8Xmmm6hLF4BU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lODBh/MjZiYjExYzcxZDZh/MmFmZTQ5ZTgzYTI3/Mzk1OS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}