26/04/2026
Research shows that when LDL cholesterol is driven very low with cholesterol lowering drugs called statins, there may be a modest increase in the risk of developing type two diabetes. Statins work by reducing LDL cholesterol, a key factor in atherosclerosis and heart disease, and have saved many lives by lowering heart attack and stroke risk. However, large clinical studies and population analyses have found that people taking statins are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared with those not on the drugs. This does not mean everyone on statins will get diabetes, but it highlights a connection between lipid metabolism and glucose control that scientists are still working to understand.
The relationship appears strongest when LDL cholesterol levels fall below typical target ranges. Very low LDL may affect how the liver and muscles handle insulin and blood sugar. Insulin is the hormone that helps cells take up glucose from the bloodstream. When cells become less responsive to insulin, blood sugar rises, and diabetes can develop. Some evidence suggests that statins may slightly impair insulin sensitivity or influence pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin, which could explain part of the increased risk observed in clinical data.
Importantly, the cardiovascular benefits of statins for people at high risk of heart disease generally outweigh the small increase in diabetes risk. Doctors consider individual patient risk factors, including family history and metabolic health, when prescribing these drugs. Researchers continue to study how cholesterol pathways intersect with glucose regulation to identify strategies that protect both heart and metabolic health without unintended side effects.
Research Paper 📄
PMID: 37795366
PMID: 37795366
