Statins Double Risk of Dementia, Are Linked to COVID Deaths

Research finds lowering cholesterol with statins does little for heart disease but may raise other risks

Statins are taken by nearly half of all Americans over 75, but while their efficacy has been called into question, their risks remain. LightField Studios/Shutterstock

The use of statin cholesterol-lowering medications has been on the rise for decades and they are among the most widely used drugs in the world. In the U.S., nearly 50 percent of U.S. adults over 75 years old take a statin to lower their cholesterol in the misguided hope of preventing heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke.

Not only is there strong evidence suggesting that statins are a colossal waste of money, but their use may also harm your brain health—more than doubling your risk of dementia in some cases.