Quick facts

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Safety: Statins are widely prescribed to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. They’re considered safe for most people, but like any medication, they can have side effects. It's important to discuss the risks and benefits of statins in your specific health context with a healthcare provider.

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ITP results: not included

(The Interventions Testing Program (ITP) is a peer-reviewed program designed to identify agents that extend lifespan and healthspan in mice)

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Key trials: 

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The following are mostly for prevention of cardiovascular events, not longevity focused (although related). There are many more. 

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Yourman LC, Cenzer IS, Boscardin WJ, et al. Evaluation of Time to Benefit of Statins for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Adults Aged 50 to 75 Years: A Meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2021

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Kristensen ML, Christensen PM, Hallas JThe effect of statins on average survival in randomised trials, an analysis of end point postponementBMJ Open 2015;5:e007118. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007118

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Some studies and publications: 

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As with the trials mentioned, studies so far focus on health impact and cardiovascular disease prevention not on longevity by itself. Many more can be found.

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Nowak MM, Niemczyk M, Florczyk M, Kurzyna M, Pączek L. Effect of Statins on All-Cause Mortality in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Propensity Score-Matched Studies. J Clin Med. 2022 Sep 25;11(19):5643. doi: 10.3390/jcm11195643. PMID: 36233511; PMCID: PMC9572734.

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Hawley CE, Roefaro J, Forman DE, Orkaby AR. Statins for Primary Prevention in Those Aged 70 Years and Older: A Critical Review of Recent Cholesterol Guidelines. Drugs Aging. 2019 Aug;36(8):687-699. doi: 10.1007/s40266-019-00673-w. PMID: 31049807; PMCID: PMC7245614.

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Overview: While statins are primarily used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular disease risk, some research explores their potential impact on longevity. These studies investigate whether the anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effects of statins could extend life span by reducing the risk of chronic diseases associated with aging. 

However, the primary purpose of statin trials is to assess cardiovascular outcomes, not longevity. We include these substances in the list to help understand their function and background. Some experts in the field take statins as a preventative measure.

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Type of substance:Statins are a class of drugs that lower cholesterol levels in the blood by inhibiting an enzyme known as HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme plays a key role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Statins are used to prevent cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, by reducing the production of cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol.

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‍Other related: none

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