Do statins block insulin production?

[rosco888]

Are there any studies associating statins to the blockage of the body's insulin production, thus bringing on type II diabetes?

[rosco888]

I focused on statins because they are getting all the blame this time around.  But I'm finding that there are too many variables contributing to the onset of diabetes 2:  overweight, lack of exercise, pregnancy, racial background, family history, etc., etc.  I also don't rule out other meds, such as for high blood pressure.  Some people can't keep their blood glucose numbers down; others can't keep theirs up.  Too many variables.

But there seems to be an epidemic of late-onset diabetes, not only in this country but around the world.  There must be a common factor at work.  The CDC puts it down to obesity.  That just sounds too simplistic.

I happen to subscribe to the theory of chemical-induced diabetes.  This would include prescription drugs, illegal drugs, steroids.  Everybody in the world is taking some kind or combination of drugs.

I try to engage doctors and others in the medical community, such as diabetes educators, in conversation, and the answer always comes back that they balance the benefits vs. the risks in prescribing drugs.  THAT'S JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!   Sorry for shouting but this is MY health we're dealing with.  There's too much God-playing among doctors -- an attitude that "we know best".  If the heart doctor prescribes a med that helps the heart but kills the liver -- oh, well, that's not his problem.  He fixed his area.

I'm looking for medical experts with questing minds, who can keep an open mind and look for the common factor in this fast-growing "trend".  In the meantime, the chemical companies are raking in fortunes producing more and more drugs.

[tom_h]

I would tend to agree with you.  I've always been a very active adult.  My blood glucose had always been well within the window of acceptablility.  It wasn't until I started taking a statin, the very popular simvastatin (Lopressor) that my A1C went up to diabetic level.  I went on a lifestyle of greatly reduced carbohydrates, and brought my A1C back to 5.7.  But this diest is devoid of any kind of treats, candy, potatoes, pasta and rice.  So while I agree with you, I also think there are also many, many people who are not on statins, but who are in the midst of Type 2 solely on their  choice of dietary lifestyle.

[rosco888]

I'm not sure I follow your explanation.  What question are you answering?

In my readings, statins control cholesterol to prevent stroke and heart attack.  In the process, statins are acting negatively on the body's use of its insulin.  To my mind, this goes a long way to explain the explosion of adult on-set diabetes -- not only in the U.S. but around the world.

[Dot.Calm]

The pancreas produces insulin and glucagon. Insulin lowers blood sugar, glucagon raises blood sugar. An enzyme (HMGCoA) controls the production of cholesterol in your liver. The hormones glucagon and insulin control the release of this enzyme. To control cholesterol production, you want to increase glucagon and decrease insulin. This is what statin drugs do.

[rosco888]

I have found several sites and printed out one sample to discuss with my diabetes support group last night.  The question that could not be answered was this:  if our bodies are producing insulin but the meds are blocking its absorption, how is it that manufactured insulin CAN be absorbed or successfully used by the cells?

I'm not advocating that we stop taking our meds; however, how are we supposed to battle this condition as long as we're defeating our efforts with the very substances that are causing the problem???

[tom_h]

I don't think so.  But there are countless Internet reports linking statins with reduced insulin sensitivity, or insulin resistance.