Today’s Statin Users Are Consuming More Calories and Fat

Caloric intake among statin users rose by 9.6% over the decade between 1999–2000 and 2009–2010, and fat consumption jumped by 14.4%. In contrast, caloric and fat intake by non-statin users did not change significantly. Also, in the 1999–2000 period, statin users were consuming fewer calories and less fat than individuals who didn’t take these medications, but that is no longer the case. The JAMA Internal Medicine findings, which come from NHANES data, suggest that people who take statins may have developed a false sense of security that could lead to heart disease and other obesity-related illnesses.