Statins lower your body’s GLP-1 levels
By naturopath Margaret Jasinska
Did you know the most commonly prescribed cholesterol lowering drugs reduce your body’s GLP-1 level by up to 50%? GLP-1 stands for Glucagon Like Peptide-1. It is a natural hormone produced in your own body. It is released in your intestines after eating, helping to lower blood sugar levels, increase insulin secretion, slowing digestion and triggering sensations of fullness in your brain.
Statins are the most profitable drug in history, with annual sales exceeding $US 20 billion. We know they raise the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Now we also know they significantly lower GLP-1 levels in humans.
Lower GLP-1 levels mean you’re less likely to feel satisfied after a meal. It’s harder to stick to healthy portion sizes and avoid snacking.
Right now, the world’s most sought after drugs are GLP-1 receptor agonists used for weight loss, such as Ozempic, Monjaro and Wegovy. Isn’t it ironic how the most profitable drugs in the world can increase the need for the most popular drug type, by disrupting the same biology those drugs are trying to correct!
How statins disrupt GLP-1
A study published in the journal Cell Metabolism showed that statins reduce GLP-1 levels up to 50% by altering the gut microbiome and interfering with bile metabolism. You actually need high levels of good gut bugs in order to manufacture bile, and bile helps to trigger GLP-1 secretion.
Taking a statin caused depletion of Clostridium bacteria in the intestines. This reduced the microbiome’s ability to produce bile acids (ursodeoxycholic acid). That led to downstream metabolic disruptions, including reduced GLP-1 production, higher blood sugar levels and worsened insulin resistance. The dose of statin used in the study was only 20mg.
Natural ways to achieve a healthy cholesterol level
Fortunately there are safe and natural ways to achieve a healthy cholesterol level and protect your cardiovascular health. Reducing your GLP-1 level will make it harder to achieve a healthy blood sugar and healthy weight, compromising your long term overall health.
You can reduce your risk of both high cholesterol and insulin resistance by reducing alcohol, sugar, carbohydrate and industrial seed oils in your diet. These foods can elevate both cholesterol and blood sugar. The liver is very proficient at converting these foods into fat. The other food that promotes the development of metabolic syndrome is omega 6 rich seed oil. Fried foods and packaged foods like crisps, chips, crackers and biscuits are usually full of the wrong fats. Most are fried in sunflower oil. The linoleic acid is highly unstable and promotes inflammation in your body. Inflammation promotes insulin resistance and fatty liver.
Try to base your diet on animal protein and good fats, along with vegetables. These foods will keep you feeling full and will keep your blood sugar level stable throughout the day. This is very important in order to prevent hypoglycaemia, sugar cravings, foggy head and fatigue. Many people trying to improve their health actually don’t eat enough protein and fat. Dinner is the only meal a lot of people eat sufficient protein and fat. This is not ideal because if you don’t eat enough protein and fat earlier in the day, you will be at far greater risk of bingeing on all the wrong foods once you get tired and hungry enough.
When eating protein rich foods like seafood, poultry or red meat, please eat a palm and a half sized portion. Whey protein powder is another excellent source of protein that’s highly satiating. It will help to keep you feeling full for many hours and reduces the risk of sugar cravings. Please include good fats in your diet like olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds and oily fish such as salmon, as well as the fat on red meat. People who don’t eat enough protein and fat usually crave sugar and carbohydrate.
For more information about cholesterol, see the book Cholesterol: The Real Truth.
If you are wanting to improve your eating habits and establish a healthy routine, the Dr Cabot Cleanse will help get you back on track. The cleanse will help improve your liver health and is excellent for improving insulin resistance.
Leave A Comment