Good morning,

Chances are you or someone you know is taking a statin or a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic or Wegovy. One in three adults takes a statin to lower cholesterol, while millions more are turning to GLP-1s for weight loss and diabetes management. Both are so common that most people don’t give them a second thought.

This week, I reported on a little-known study that may give you pause. In just four months on atorvastatin—better known as Lipitor—participants’ GLP-1 levels fell by nearly half.

GLP-1 is a hormone made in the gut after eating. It tells the body to release insulin and slow digestion, helping regulate blood sugar and create a sense of fullness. So when a statin, meant to protect the heart, lowers GLP-1 levels, it may also raise blood sugar, increase appetite, and make it harder to lose weight. In other words, statins could quietly undermine metabolic health.

The study was small, only 30 people, but rigorous. Researchers traced the effect to gut microbes, confirmed it in animals, and even reversed it with a simple, inexpensive supplement called UDCA. For its size, it made a convincing case.

Yet the findings have barely been discussed. Published in Cell Metabolism, the research hasn’t reached exam rooms or guidelines. At the very least, it should spark larger trials. But with statins now generic and the possible fix a cheap supplement, there’s little financial incentive to fund them.

This isn’t about abandoning statins, which may still have a place for some people. It’s about informed consent. Patients deserve to know the benefits and trade-offs so that they can have real agency in their care.

Wishing you a healthy body and mind,

The Popular Drug Millions Are Taking—What You Need to Know About GLP-1

GLP-1 drugs can drive dramatic weight loss, but lasting results depend on the right dose, healthy habits, and careful monitoring.

Why Dietary Cholesterol Isn’t the Enemy

Research shows eggs and other cholesterol-rich foods have little effect on blood cholesterol; inflammation, liver health, and lifestyle play a much bigger role.

Risk Assessment Report Suggests Fewer Americans Need to Take Statins

The AHA risk calculator, PREVENT, could cut statin use by millions, suggesting many adults may be overtreated under older guidelines.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for our next edition coming your way next week.

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The information in this newsletter is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of many experts and journalists. The Epoch Times encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

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