DiseasesStatins—Is the Price of Low Cholesterol Sore Muscles and Weaker Memory?
- Andrzej Frydrychowski — Wpływ statyn na nasze zdrowie
- Jerzy Jaśkowski — Statyny – lekarze o tym nie mówią
- Jerzy Jaśkowski — Czego nie wiemy o statynach?
- Treatment of statin adverse effects with supplemental Coenzyme Q10 and statin drug discontinuation. · Biofactors 2005
- Atorvastatin-associated neurological adverse events: a disproportionality analysis with adjustment for confounding by indication. · Front Med (Lausanne) 2026
- Atorvastatin Safety Reappraised: From Pharmacogenomic Mechanisms to Personalized Risk Management. · Cardiovasc Ther 2026
- Orthomolecular Medicine News Service — Niacin Beats Statins: Supplements and Diet are Safer, More Effective
Jerzy Jaśkowski claims that lowering cholesterol reduces brain capacity.
- He also links statins to the suppression of memory-protein production, and says that lower levels of these proteins are linked to dementia; he links muscle weakness to reduced energy production in cells.
- He cites FDA warnings about possible memory problems and an increased risk of muscle damage.
- Andrzej Frydrychowski lists muscle pain and weakness, fatigue, tenderness, cramps, and tendon pain; in one study he describes, myopathy occurred on average in 1.2 out of every 10,000 people taking statins.
What the authors write
Muscle-related effects of statins include pain, fatigue, tenderness, weakness, cramps, and tendon pain.
In one study described, myopathy occurred on average in 1.2 out of every 10,000 people taking statins.
Statins are said to inhibit an enzyme used to produce memory proteins; Jerzy Jaśkowski links lower levels of these proteins to dementia.
Jerzy Jaśkowski links muscle weakness in people taking statins to the inhibition of energy production in cells.
Jerzy Jaśkowski cites an FDA warning that statins may cause memory problems.
Jerzy Jaśkowski cites information from the FDA that statins may increase the risk of muscle damage.
Jerzy Jaśkowski claims that lowering cholesterol reduces brain capacity.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 1.
In this group of patients, after stopping statins and starting CoQ10 supplements, the percentage reporting muscle pain and memory problems fell.
Aim of the study: Fifty consecutive new cardiology clinic patients who were on statin drug therapy (for an average of 28 months) on their initial visit were evaluated for possible adverse statin effects (myalgia, fatigue, dyspnea, memory loss, and peripheral neuropathy). All patients discontinued statin therapy due to side effects and began supplemental CoQ(10) at an average of 240 mg/day upon initial visit.
Results: There were two deaths from lung cancer and one death from aortic stenosis, with no strokes or myocardial infarctions. Measurements of heart function either improved or remained stable in the majority of patients. We conclude that statin-related side effects, including statin cardiomyopathy, are far more common than previously reported and are reversible with the combination of stopping statins and taking supplemental CoQ(10). We saw no adverse consequences from stopping statins.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
An analysis of adverse-event reports found signals involving, among other things, myasthenia, neuropathy, and “brain fog” with atorvastatin use.
Aim of the study: Atorvastatin, a widely prescribed HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, is associated with neurological adverse events (NAEs) beyond its well-known myopathy; however, comprehensive evaluations accounting for confounding by indication remain limited.
Results: Of 50 NAE signals identified for atorvastatin, 32 remained significant after exclusion. The strongest signals clustered into three clinically meaningful categories: neuromuscular junction disorders (myasthenia gravis: PRR = 5.65, χ2 = 748.22, EBGM05 = 4.82), peripheral neuropathies (axonal neuropathy: PRR = 6.15, χ2 = 117.78, EBGM05 = 4.14; peripheral sensory neuropathy: PRR = 3.42, χ2 = 182.34, EBGM05 = 2.80), and central nervous system and cognitive disorders (encephalitis toxic: PRR = 7.76, χ2 = 17.11, EBGM05 = 2.39; brain fog: PRR = 2.94, χ2 = 168.76, EBGM05 = 2.46). Additionally, exceptionally strong signals without detailed published case support included acute necrotising myelitis (PRR = 832.92, EBGM05 = 38.61), vibration syndrome (PRR = 37.02, EBGM05 = 14.51), and radiculitis brachial (PRR = 26.03, EBGM05 = 13.57).
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The review indicates that muscle symptoms associated with statins are among the main clinical safety concerns.
Aim of the study: Atorvastatin remains a cornerstone of lipid-lowering therapy and cardiovascular prevention, but concerns about adverse effects continue to undermine adherence and long-term clinical benefit. This structured narrative review critically reappraises its safety profile by integrating evidence from randomized trials, meta-analyses, observational studies, pharmacovigilance analyses, case reports, and preclinical models.
Results: Safety is shaped by dose, comorbidities, interacting medicines, pharmacokinetic variability, and transporter variants, particularly SLCO1B1, although the clinical actionability of other pharmacogenomic markers remains limited. We, therefore, emphasize individualized risk assessment, interaction review, appropriate monitoring, dechallenge and rechallenge, dose adjustment, alternative statins, and nonstatin combination therapy when needed. Experimental delivery systems and mechanistic findings may inform future strategies but do not yet establish improved clinical safety. Taken together, the evidence supports a benefit-centered, evidence-stratified framework that addresses genuine toxicity without overstating uncertain safety signals or unnecessarily discontinuing effective therapy.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.