Home > Health > News > Men's healthStatins, a popular set of medication used to lower cholesterol can result in muscle weakness, pain, debilitating and even life-threatening muscle damage, studies have found. The Journal of Clinical Investigation offers the first evidence that a gene known as atrogin-1 plays a key role in statin-related muscle toxicity. Statins such as Lipitor, Zocor, Pavacol and Mevacor lower cholesterol but they may also activate this gene. Three separate tests showed that at even low concentrations, statin drugs led to atrogin-1 induced muscle damage. As the concentration was increased, the damage increased as well. This news may be somewhat alarming for those seeking to increase muscle mass, but are also taking cholesterol medication. There is no argument that these drugs do work very well at lowering high cholesterol levels. However there are other, far-reaching ways to treat the cause of the problem, particularly nutritionally. Tips to keep cholesterol low, naturally:
In men, muscle weakness can also be a symptom of male menopause, otherwise known as andropause. 40% of men in their 40s, 50s and 60s experience loss of muscle mass, increased lethargy, irritability, mood swings and difficulty attaining or sustaining an erection, that are caused by andropause. If you experience symptoms of muscle weakness, such as flaccidity, loss of strength and are taking statin medication, or are male between 40-60yrs, there could be an explanation, beyond general ageing/physiology. |
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