Do Statins Really Cause Dementia?

A recent study shows that some statins may actually do so.

Dr Joel Yong, PhD
BeingWell

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Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash

Do statins really cause dementia? There have been many differing opinions about what they do. Some claim that it may help to protect one from dementia, while others claim that it may accelerate the onset of dementia.

However, recent research suggests that those who do take lipophilic statins do face issues with regards to the metabolism in their posterior cingulate cortex, which is the part of the brain that gets first hit during the onset of Alzheimer’s.

To clarify things, a lipophilic statin is one that preferentially dissolves in fat. “Lipo” being “fat” and “philic” being “loving”, so a lipophilic statin prefers being surrounded by fat. Whereas a hydrophilic statin is one that preferentially dissolves in water.

(These statins come in different types and forms because every new design gives the manufacturer a chance to develop a profit-chasing patent on it. A lipophilic statin would have its own unique traits and therefore can be patented. A hydrophilic statin would also be patented based on its unique traits.)

What does a statin do?

Let’s re-look at what a statin does in the body.

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Dr Joel Yong, PhD
BeingWell

Crafting strategies for optimising the biochemical pathways in the human body. Learn more at https://thethinkingscientist.substack.com.