What's The Connection Between Diabetes And Cholesterol?

What connection exists between diabetes and cholesterol? How may cholesterol impact my diabetes, and what are the ways I can control it?

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Judy contacted DiabetesCouncils

Judy had inquiries regarding her cholesterol when she got in touch with DiabetesCouncils. Her HDL-C was low and her LDL-C was higher than usual, albeit slightly increased, even though her total was within the range at 180 mg/dl.

Judy was confused because she had received very little explanation about this from her doctor. Her other cholesterol readings were outside of range, so how can her total cholesterol be within acceptable bounds?

What effect would this have on Judy’s health? Were these cholesterol values making her more vulnerable to heart disease and stroke? Additionally, her triglycerides were slightly high.

We made the decision to provide Judy with a handbook so that she could comprehend her cholesterol readings and how they relate to her overall cardiovascular health. We also wanted Judy and similar individuals to know the connection between their diabetes and cholesterol levels. Now let’s get going.

What is cholesterol

The two main components of cholesterol are fat and lipoproteins. Triglycerides, protein, and cholesterol make up a lipoprotein. There are two sources of cholesterol. Some cholesterol is produced by our body on its own.

Moreover, animal goods including milk, eggs, cheese, and meats contain cholesterol. The consistency of cholesterol is like that of gum or wax.

A healthy cell membrane requires small levels of cholesterol, or “good cholesterol.” However, certain cholesterol has been dubbed “the bad cholesterol” since it tends to promote atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries.

Certain cholesterol is considered “good” cholesterol because it has the ability to remove bad cholesterol from the body. You should therefore surround yourself with good cholesterol. As we go into the specifics and the ins and outs of cholesterol and its relationship to diabetes, we will go into further detail below.

The chemical composition of cholesterol

In terms of structure and function, cholesterol is a “steroid alcohol,” specifically C27H45OH. It is responsible for transporting fluid between cell membranes and taking part in a number of bodily metabolic processes.

As already stated, everything in moderation. This also applies to cholesterol, since elevated levels of “bad” cholesterol, or low density lipoprotein, raise the risk of heart disease in an individual.

Types of cholesterol

It’s helpful to know that your cholesterol readings are displayed as four separate numbers, each of which has a distinct meaning.

You might observe a fifth figure for VLDL cholesterol on some lab reports. For your better understanding of the details of your blood cholesterol values, below is a breakdown of cholesterol figures.

Total cholesterol

First, your cholesterol values are given as a total. Stated differently, it represents the overall quantity of all the various forms of cholesterol present in your blood. In general, keeping total cholesterol below 200 mg/dl is the aim.

It is not a guarantee that the other cholesterol values will fall within the normal range just because the total cholesterol value is inside it.

For instance, dyslipidemias, or a combination of high “bad” cholesterol and low “good” cholesterol, are common in diabetics. The total cholesterol value is often within the normal range. Let’s examine the other figures seen on blood panels for cholesterol.

Bad cholesterol” or low density lipoprotein (LDL-C)

You have a higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease if your LDLC is high. The formation of plaques inside your arteries is caused by these bigger cholesterol molecules. Envision, if you will, massive chunks of adhesive gum or wax becoming lodged in both your large and tiny containers.

These large, sticky cholesterol particles can obstruct your arteries entirely or just partially, leading to heart attacks and strokes as well as cardiovascular disease.

They may potentially burst, allowing a blood clot to move to the brain or heart and result in a stroke or cardiac catastrophe.To treat their high LDL-C, people with the condition should cooperate with their primary care physician and use statin drugs.

A diet reduced in trans and saturated fats is one strategy for treating high LDL-C because these types of fats can increase LDL-C levels. Generally speaking, you want to maintain an LDL-C level below 100.

If you already have CVD and are considered a high-risk patient, your doctor can recommend aggressive therapy with a target LDL-C of less than 70 mg/dl. Later on, there will be more on this.

Good cholesterol” or High density lipoprotein (LDL-C)

The good news is that there are fats that are beneficial to our health. These are the “good cholesterol” (HDL-C) molecules that are found in our blood.

These cholesterol molecules are less sticky and smaller in size. By eating more foods high in “good cholesterol” and monosaturated fats, you can raise your blood levels of HDL-C, or good cholesterol.

These include liquid oils (rather than solid ones) at room temperature, almonds, avocados, and olive oil. You should have an HDL-C level higher than 50 mg/dl. Conversely, having a high HDL-C protects the heart from cardiovascular disease, while having a low HDL-C increases your risk of developing it.

A greater level of HDL-C will aid in your body’s natural removal of LDL-C, which is removed from the body by HDL-C through the liver. High triglyceride levels likely to decrease blood levels of HDL-C. In addition, smoking, being overweight, and not exercising all lower HDL-C levels.

Additionally, Type 2 diabetics typically have decreased HDL-C levels. Lowering your HDL-C value can also result from using medications like beta blockers and steroids to treat blood pressure.

How much HDL-C should be in my blood?

Men should aim for 40 mg/dl or more of healthy fats in their diet, while women should strive for more than 50 mg/dl.

Triglycerides

In essence, triglycerides are simply fats. They are seen floating in the bloodstream and are rather abundant.

Your age and gender determine the appropriate level of triglycerides in your blood. Atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries, is a result of the combination of elevated LDL-C and triglycerides.

You are more likely to experience a heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease as a result of this. Triglycerides often encourage the accumulation of cholesterol and fat deposits within the arteries.

What level of triglycerides should be in my blood?

Triglycerides generally need to be kept below 150 mg/dl.

What is VLDL cholesterol?

Another cholesterol metric that you might not be familiar with is VLDL-C, or “Very Low Density Lipoprotein.” The liver is the organ that produces VLDL-C.

The sort of fat described above as “triglycerides” is supplied to your body by the liver through the release of VLDL-C into your blood. Triglycerides or fat make up about half of a VLDL-C molecule.

Elevated VLDL-C levels are associated with the development of plaque in the arteries, which can obstruct or limit blood flow. This blood number might or might not be displayed on your cholesterol panel.

As it is difficult to measure in the bloodstream, it is absent from several panels. If it appears on your test report, anything over 30 mg/dl is regarded as high.

If your VLDL-C is not reported, you should be aware that maintaining triglycerides below 150 mg/dl is the best strategy to keep this number low. Exercise and weight loss will also maintain a low VLDL-C level. This will assist in lowering your VLDL-C if your doctor prescribes medicine to lessen your triglycerides.

What should my cholesterol be if I already have cardiovascular disease?

The target numbers are adjusted slightly if you already have cardiovascular disease. Your LDL-C, or “bad,” cholesterol should remain less than 100 mg/dl, your HDL-C, or “good,” cholesterol should be more than 35 mg/dl, your triglyceride level should be less than 200 mg/dl, and your total cholesterol should still be less than 200 mg/dl.

This makes sense because the harmful cholesterol and triglycerides in your bloodstream will be removed by the healthy fats and eliminated by the liver.

How does triglyceride imbalance, diabetes, and LDL-C relate to each other?

“Diabetic dyslipidemia” is a condition that affects people with diabetes.

It is distinguished by a trio comprising:

low HDL-C
high LDL-C
high triglycerides

According to study, there is a connection between diabetic dyslipidemia, which makes persons with Type 2 diabetes more likely than those without the condition to develop heart disease or a stroke at a younger age, and insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes has the ability to affect blood cholesterol levels, both positively and negatively, by increasing bad cholesterol and decreasing good cholesterol due to the size of LDL-C molecules and other factors in individuals with diabetes.

When you have diabetes, you should work with your primary care physician to manage your cholesterol because of this premature risk.

The higher risk is probably influenced by lifestyle choices, since some persons get dyslipidemia before being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. As a result, controlling cholesterol is crucial for overall health throughout life.

Because dyslipidemia and insulin resistance are linked in Type 2 diabetes, a dyslipidemia may alert medical professionals to the need to screen a patient for pre-diabetes or diabetes. An individual’s A1C may fall between 4.8 to 5.6%, which is the pre-diabetes range.

This helps to “warn” the individual about using diet and exercise to control their dyslipidemia and pre-diabetes condition. In order to prevent Type 2 diabetes, the goal for those in pre-diabetes is often to lose 5-7 percent of their body weight and engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week in addition to eating a balanced diet.

Pre-Diabetic Diabetes Prevention Programs

There are now diabetes prevention programs everywhere in the nation. These programs are designed to help participants reach their objectives for fitness, diet, and weight loss in order to avert Type 2 diabetes in the future.

Diabetes Prevention Programs (DPPs) are modeled after those offered by the Centers for Disease Control, and groups like the YMCA and others have begun introducing these initiatives to local communities. Scholarships are offered in certain places, and several insurers have jumped on board to offer these programs.

For benefits that may include these programs, check with your specific insurance provider. You can also inquire about scholarship options from local DPP programs.

In addition to lowering your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, you will learn heart-healthy eating habits that will lower your cholesterol and help you lead a healthier lifestyle.

In what ways does a lower cholesterol level prevent diabetes?

Having no dyslipidemia or all cholesterol levels within the normal range would probably help to prevent the emergence of Type 2 diabetes, since dyslipidemias seem to be a precursor for Type 2 diabetes at the very least.

Are elevated cholesterol levels associated with an increased risk of diabetes?

It has been established that diabetes poses a risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Therefore, diabetes predisposes you to CHD much like smoking and inactivity do.

To put this into perspective, a diabetic patient who has never had a coronary heart disease before has the same risk of developing one now as someone who does not have diabetes or heart disease.

That is important to note. Moreover, the risk of mortality from a coronary event is increased in the first 28 days after a coronary event, and individuals with diabetes have an increased risk of death from coronary events by two to four times.

After having a cardiac incident, women with diabetes had an even higher mortality rate. Replicated and trustworthy research has been done in this field.

Is diabetes caused by elevated cholesterol levels?

Undoubtedly, a relationship exists. It might be necessary to conduct more research in this field. For the time being, the question is “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Research does seem to indicate that one influences the other and vice versa.

What are the reasons behind elevated cholesterol?

A person’s high cholesterol can be caused by a variety of factors. Certain things are under our control, and some are not. The elements that are beyond our control are:

our genetics
our age
our gender
certain diseases and conditions that we already have, such as thyroid disorder

While there are specific risk factors for high cholesterol that we can control, we cannot control our genetics, age, gender, or whether we have a particular condition. It’s interesting to note that we can reduce our risk of diabetes by controlling the same risk factors that lower our cholesterol.

They are…

our dietary intake, which includes the amount of good and bad cholesterol present in the meals we eat
our weight since excess weight raises cholesterol levels.

Whether we engage in physical activity or not

Whether we use specific drugs or not

Diabetes and high cholesterol symptoms

Whether or not you also have diabetes, elevated cholesterol does not cause any symptoms. The only way to find out whether you have high cholesterol is to get a yearly laboratory test performed by your doctor.

The test is known as a Lipid Panel or Cholesterol Panel and provides readings for your LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides in addition to your total cholesterol.

Certain tests convert cholesterol to VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoproteins) in addition, whereas other tests do not. Since VLDL-C is made up of 50% triglycerides, lowering triglycerides will usually regulate it.

High cholesterol and diabetes risks

Diabetes increases one’s risk of cardiovascular disease. High blood glucose causes additional difficulties that are exacerbated by dyslipidemia, or disorders related to cholesterol. Put otherwise, it’s a twofold blow. We shall discuss diabetes as a real risk factor for heart disease a little later in this post.

Are there any diets specifically for diabetes and high cholesterol?

Yes, you should eat a heart-healthy diet if your cholesterol is high. It is recommended that you consume more “good” cholesterol and less “bad” cholesterol.

Recall that the liver is the pathway via which the “bad” cholesterol is eliminated from your body by the “good” cholesterol, therefore you’ll want to learn how to consume more foods and oils high in HDL-C and less high in LDL-C.

Which diet is ideal for people with high cholesterol and diabetes?

Individuals with diabetes ought to learn how to eat a “heart healthy” diet and how to count their carbs. Eating heart-healthy food is not that tough if you prepare it a little.

You need to reduce your future risk of cardiovascular issues because having high cholesterol and diabetes increases your chance of heart disease and stroke.

Seek advice from a Certified Diabetes Educator or Registered Dietician

To begin with, inquire with your primary care physician about scheduling a visit with a certified diabetes educator or registered dietitian.

One of these people can assist you in managing your diabetes and cholesterol as well as helping you plan heart-healthy meals that will help you regulate your condition and lower your cholesterol.

It also doesn’t have to be dull or uninteresting. Many whole foods are available for you to eat. All you have to do is figure out what works best for you and what might help with your dyslipidemia and diabetes.

General recommendations for heart-healthy diet

low cholesterol better health — lower cholesterol better health

To maintain heart health, you should abide by a few general dietary recommendations. Pick up the things on the below list the next time you’re at the grocery store. You should be aware that you won’t be walking through the grocery store’s interior aisles. You’ll probably be working the outside aisle or the parameter.

You can find “whole,” heart-healthy foods there. Keep the boxed and frozen goods on the shelf. It is recommended that you purchase certain packaged goods from the middle aisles however, these will be full grain items. This is beneficial. For the most part, we want you to buy for “real,” not processed, goods. Simply said, they are better for you.

Acquire an assortment of whole grain items

To stock your cupboards with whole grain items, you should purchase whole grain breads, maize meal, oats, quinoa, Israeli couscous, bulgur, and similar items. Whole grain versions of most pastas and rice are available. Choose one of those over the standard rice or pasta dish.

Gather an assortment of fresh produce

Make sure you obtain a range of fiber from fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to whole grain items. In addition to assisting in the gradual reduction of blood glucose, fiber also lowers cholesterol. Add as much fiber as possible.

Snack on fruits and vegetables throughout the day to increase your consumption of these high-fiber, high-nutrient foods. At your neighborhood farmer’s market, you can find in-season fruits and veggies at a lower cost.

When cooking, use extra virgin olive oil

You should consume more monosaturated fats, or healthy fats, in your diet, such as olive oil, if you have diabetes and high cholesterol. Generally speaking, liquid fats—like butter, margarine, vegetable shortening, or animal fat/lard—are safer to use than solid fats at room temperature. All of them have trans and saturated fats, which increase triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterol.

Reduce your intake of foods rich in cholesterol

If you’re seeking to reduce your intake of foods high in cholesterol, reading food labels can assist. Seek out labels indicating “no cholesterol” or “low cholesterol.” Seek for low-fat food options.

You can consume more egg whites and fewer yolks in your diet. Reduce your intake of gravy, biscuits, fried dishes, and other foods that are known to be high in fat. Trim extra fat from meats and bake, grill, or broil.

Which meals or dietary supplements naturally reduce cholesterol?

Many supplements are used by people to reduce their triglycerides and LDL-C levels. Be sure to discuss which ones are safe for you to attempt with your healthcare professional.

While some of the items on the list have been shown to lower cholesterol, others have not. It is imperative that you see your physician before beginning any new supplement regimen.

Soluble versus insoluble fiber

Insoluble fiber can be found in foods like whole wheat bread and whole grain cereal. This works well for alleviating constipation, but it has little effect on lowering cholesterol levels.

“Soluble” fiber is present in foods like oats and oat-based products, dried peas and beans, including chickpeas and lentils, barley, flaxseed, and almonds.

It is also present in foods like prunes, oranges, and apples, as well as brussel sprouts and prunes. This type of fiber works wonders to support the digestive system in eliminating LDL-C, or “bad” cholesterol. Stated differently, it seizes the harmful cholesterol and expels it from the body.

You must consume between 7 and 13 grams of soluble fiber per day in order to reduce LDL-C with soluble fiber foods. The remaining fiber should come from insoluble sources, giving you a daily total of 20–35 grams of fiber.

You could reduce your total cholesterol by two to three percent and your LDL-C by up to seven percent by doing this. And that’s not too bad, so when your cholesterol is high, it’s ideal to boost the amount of fiber in your diet.

Beta glucan or fiber supplements based on psyllium

To reduce the amount of high-fiber foods you must eat, you can purchase fiber to drink. Be advised that they do increase gas in the stomach.

They may also give you diarrhea, cramps, or bloating. Along the way, you can also lose some vitamins and minerals because these supplements might make it harder for your body to absorb them. A psyllium allergy can develop in certain persons, which may cause issues for them.

What are phytosterols?

The chemical makeup of phytosterols is similar to that of cholesterol. They go by the names “plant sterols” and “stenols.”

The membranes of plant cells include them. Because they displace cholesterol and are absorbed by the intestines, they offer some competition for cholesterol and reduce total and LDL-C cholesterol.

After talking with your provider, it’s worth researching because two grams of a phytosterol per day will reduce cholesterol by 15%. Regarding the supporting evidence, you don’t need to be concerned. The National Cholesterol Education Program supports it.

It would be challenging to obtain adequate from fruits, vegetables, nuts, vegetable oils, and the like. You can buy items that have been fortified with it, such as chocolate, snack bars, juice, yogurt, vegetable oil spreads, and rice or soy milk.

You can also buy supplements. They don’t have any negative side effects and can be taken with fibrate or statin drugs for cholesterol.

How about the proteins found in soy?

The benefit of soy proteins in reducing triglycerides, LDL-C, and total cholesterol is not widely accepted. It may provide you a lowering ability of roughly three percent, according to study published in 2006.

This is far less than what was previously believed following the completion of the initial set of research investigations in the 1990s.

To reach the three percent reduction, 25 grams of soy protein are usually needed, which seems like a very big amount to eat.

Soy proteins may not be the best option for decreasing cholesterol instead, some of the other options discussed here might. In any case, it’s present in miso, edamame, tofu, tempeh, soy milk, cheese, and other soy products.

These might consist of goods like hotdogs, veggie burgers, and other meats produced with soy protein. If you are an estrogen-sensitive woman receiving treatment for breast cancer, stay away from these. This is because certain medications linked to certain tumors have an impact on estrogen levels.

Is niacin beneficial?

One B vitamin is niacin. It produces energy from the food you ingest. Typically, it is advised that men take 16 mg daily, while women should take 14 mg.

The maximum amount of niacin that you should consume each day from food and supplements is 35 mg. Dairy products, lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and nuts are good sources of niacin.

On the other hand, if taken in big doses—up to 2,000 mg two or three times a day—it can dramatically raise your HDL-C, or “good,” cholesterol by 15–35 percent. The fact that the rise in HDL-C also lowers triglycerides and LDL-C is another fantastic consequence.

With a prescription and your doctor’s clearance, that seems worth a try. Please note that taking excessive amounts of niacin requires your doctor’s supervision. Liver damage may result from it.

What in the world is red yeast rice?

As strange as it may sound, rice can harbor a fungus called red yeast rice. It is used as a medicine and culinary coloring in Asian countries. It has gained popularity in western nations due to its ability to inhibit the liver’s creation of cholesterol.

It contains something like to a natural statin, similar to the statin drugs used to reduce cholesterol. Ask your doctor if red yeast rice can help lower your cholesterol if you are among those who find it difficult to take statins because of adverse effects or if you don’t want to take them for ANY reason.

One study allowed participants experiencing muscle soreness while taking statins to consume 1800 mg of red yeast rice twice a day for 24 weeks. The LDL-C decreased by 35 mg/dl on average.

Long-term usage of red yeast rice reduced cardiovascular risk by thirty percent, according to a Chinese study. Since it’s a supplement in the US, the FDA doesn’t regulate it. Remember that if you use any supplements in the United States.

It is always advisable to consult your doctor and get your liver enzymes tested before beginning red yeast rice supplements.

Is Policosanol useful?

Rice bran, wheat germ, sugar cane, and beeswax are the sources of policosanol. It could reduce LDL-C roughly as much as statin drugs, according to the results of the initial phase of trials.

Subsequent research revealed no advantage, and same findings were later repeated. As such, it is not advised that you try this one, however you may read about it elsewhere.

Is Guggulipid Effective?

Some Indian research have shown that guggulipid can reduce triglycerides by as much as 14% in people with the highest LDL-C levels. Some studies have demonstrated that guggulipid lowers cholesterol, while other studies have indicated that it increases cholesterol.

It appears to reduce C-reactive proteins by 28%, which may have an impact on inflammatory processes within the body. For people with kidney illness, liver disease, or IBS (Inflammatory Bowel illness), it is not advised.

Will garlic be beneficial?

It has been discovered that garlic only momentarily lowers LDL-C. After six months of use, there might not be any decreasing effects. Don’t stop consuming garlic just yet; it has heart-healthy properties beyond decreasing cholesterol.

It has the potential to slightly lower blood pressure, which is typically problematic for diabetics as well. Blood thinners don’t work well with garlic, and large supplement dosages intensify their effects.

I’ve heard good things about ginger is it effective in lowering cholesterol?

Ginger has long been used in traditional medicine to treat cardiac problems, rheumatic joints, and digestive problems. It helps with motion sickness, pregnancy morning sickness, and it may even decrease cholesterol. Only one somewhat modest study has examined ginger’s ability to decrease cholesterol.

For 45 days, the subjects consumed 3,000 mg daily. Their total cholesterol decreased by an average of 13 mg/dl. Moreover, triglycerides decreased by 9.5. Larger research is still required to confirm this result. Ginger tastes good as a spice in cooking.

How about flaxseed?

Recently, flaxseed has received a lot of media attention. This plant-based product has omega-3 fatty acids in it. Certain research support the idea that it helps with digestion and lowers triglycerides and LDL-C. Both whole flaxseed and flaxseed oil were used in the studies.

A tablespoon consumed daily reduced LDL-C and total cholesterol. The only adverse reactions include diarrhea, nausea, and bloating. It slows down digestion when used with medicines.

Other dietary advice for heart health and decreasing cholesterol

Limit the amount of solid oils at room temperature. This includes lard, butter, margarine, and vegetable or animal shortening.

Eat less animal products, including cheese, whole milk, and fried dishes, and red meat.

Steer clear of quick food.

Increase your usage of olive, canola, corn, peanut, and sunflower oils.

include more seeds and nuts in your diet

Increase your intake of omega-3-rich fish to twice a week (trout, salmon, and sardines).

Include flaxseed and walnuts in your diet.

eat more whole grains, dry beans, peas, and fresh fruits and vegetables to increase your intake of both soluble and soluble fiber.

Keep an eye on your salt or sodium intake.

Steer clear of processed, frozen, and canned foods.

Steer clear of salt- and sodium-rich lunch meats and other smoked meats.

Look for food servings with a sodium or salt content of no more than 140 mg.

Select items with minimal or no salt.

Select dairy alternatives like soy, rice, or almond milk, or low-fat dairy products.

Select whole grains that are high in soluble fiber, such as brown rice, barley, or whole grain pasta.

Select an array of vibrantly colored fresh vegetables.

Increase the amount of vegetarian meals in your diet by substituting tofu, beans, or lentils.

Select leaner meat cuts, trim meats of excess fat, and de-skin birds.

heart healthy cholesterol lowering diet tips

How can individuals with diabetes lower their cholesterol?

To reduce LDL-C to less than 100 mg/dl, diet and exercise alone might not be sufficient for individuals with diabetes and associated dyslipidemia. A statin or other medicine may be necessary for diabetics to lower their cholesterol to the desired level.

If blood pressure and blood glucose are also under control, achieving cholesterol targets should not be taken lightly because it can have a substantial long-term impact on a person’s health.

How to manage elevated cholesterol in diabetics

The UKPDS, or UK Prospective Diabetes Study, demonstrated that strict blood glucose management is necessary to avoid diabetic complications. Tight blood glucose control alone, however, has not been shown to be sufficient in preventing cardiovascular disease in diabetics.

In general, a major effort is needed to lower any risk factor. This can involve reducing body weight, upping activity, managing hypertension, and managing dyslipidemias.

Diabetes and cholesterol medications

Medication exists that lowers cholesterol. If prescribed by a physician, individuals with diabetes should take drugs to lower their cholesterol because they have a higher risk of heart disease. Let’s examine some drugs that doctors might recommend to reduce cholesterol.

Statins

When all other attempts to decrease cholesterol through lifestyle modifications have failed, statins are the first line of defense. They reduce blood cholesterol levels by preventing the formation of cholesterol. Statins will moderately reduce triglycerides and increase HDL-C, or “good” cholesterol.

List of cholesterol-lowering statin medications

The following drugs could be recommended by the doctor to help decrease cholesterol:

Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Fluvastatin (Lescol)
Lovastatin
Pitavastatin (Livalo)
Pravastatin (Pravachol)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Simvastatin (Zocor)

Does taking cholesterol medicine impact diabetes?

People with diabetes are often able to use statin drugs. Among the typical adverse effects of statin drug use are:

increased liver enzymes and liver issues.

headaches

disturbed stomach (pain, gas, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation)

rash

muscular issues (myopathy)

issues related to memory

higher chance of getting Type 2 diabetes

Is this not ironic? The last one, “increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes,” is intriguing.

Is that even feasible? Regretfully, the answer is indeed. An increase in Type 2 diabetes diagnoses is correlated with higher doses of statins. It makes sense that there is a great deal of disagreement among experts over whether the drug’s advantages are outweighed by the risk of diabetes.

So should I take statins?

Statins should be used if you wish to lower your risk of heart disease. The American Diabetes Association currently advises persons with diabetes who have high cholesterol to take statins. Adverse side effects cause some people to discontinue taking statins.

Consult your physician before quitting any medications. If you take statins, you should avoid consuming grapefruit as it may increase side effects and increase uptake.

Fibriates, warfarin (Coumadin), some antibiotics, and certain HIV medications are things you should stay away from. Find out from your pharmacist whether any of the medications you take may interfere with statins.

Exercise can help manage diabetes, obesity, and blood cholesterol

Since exercise is the “poly-pill,” it is beneficial for everything. Exercise has a favorable impact on blood pressure, blood glucose, blood cholesterol, weight, and mood.

Thus, if you’re attempting to reduce your cholesterol, starting a small aerobic exercise regimen that gets you 150 minutes of exercise a week will assist.

Achieving a cholesterol goal of fewer than 200 mg/dl is not an easy feat; according to the National Health and Nutritional Examination study, just 48% of individuals with diabetes were able to do so. What’s even more depressing is that less than 10% of diabetics were able to complete all three objectives.

Only twenty percent of those with diabetes were able to achieve an LDL-C of less than 100 mg/dl, making the LDL-C objectives very depressing. It becomes evident that diabetics’ cholesterol management needs to be improved, which emphasizes the requirement of extensive statin medication for diabetics.

How may diabetic patients avoid having high or poor cholesterol?

We can greatly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease in individuals with diabetes by implementing lifestyle modifications and administering rigorous statin medication.

It has been demonstrated that persons with diabetes who have borderline high LDL-C levels—which are often not higher than 160 mg/dl—have considerably worsened heart health.

What Does Diabetes Mean for Average LDL Cholesterol and Why Is It Important?

According to the Framingham Heart Study, which was conducted thirty years ago, individuals with diabetes are two to three times more likely than their non-diabetic friends to develop heart disease. Here’s a look at why.

Additional links between diabetes and elevated cholesterol

Denser and smaller LDL-C molecules

Diabetes patients’ LDL-C cholesterol levels may understate the risk of heart attack. A person with Type 2 diabetes with borderline high LDL-C values has a two to three times higher risk of CVD than a person without diabetes.

In individuals with diabetes, the LDL-C particles are thicker and proportionally smaller. These particles have a higher probability of penetrating artery walls and seriously harming the cardiovascular system. Because of the tiny and dense LDL-C particles, this usually causes increased artery hardening in diabetics.

Additionally, there is a connection between an increase in triglycerides and the smaller, denser LDL-C molecules. Elevated triglycerides are a result of the metabolic syndrome of diabetes, which is characterized by insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity.

Triglycerides are produced in the liver by muscles that are insulin resistant, which transforms the energy from carbohydrates. This usually results in VLDL-C, indicating that triglycerides are heavily loaded onto the lipoprotein.

People who have triglycerides more than 100 mg/dl are the ones who exhibit the smallest and densest VLDL-C particles. Due to the prevalence of these tiny “bad” cholesterol particles in the blood, cardiovascular disease is subsequently increased.

Is it appropriate for diabetics to concentrate on LDL-C lowering therapy?

In its guidelines, the American Diabetes Association aims to decrease LDL-C. For diabetics, treating mildly raised LDL-C should be the top priority when it comes to lowering their risk of cardiovascular disease. In the event that other risk factors exist, its significance increases.

When someone has Type 2 diabetes and even slightly raised LDL-C, they should begin taking statins, which are recommended as the first line of treatment.

It has been demonstrated that statins marginally raise HDL-C and slightly lower triglycerides in addition to LDL-C. Studies have demonstrated that this treatment significantly lowers CVD in individuals with diabetes by roughly 25%.

Severe treatment to reduce LDL-C

Less than 70 mg/dl of LDL-C is achieved with more intense therapy. A diabetic’s risk of heart disease can be reduced by 30 to 50 percent if their LDL-C is less than 70 mg/dl. Consequently, people at high risk may benefit more from extensive statin therapy.

Clinicians are hesitant because they are worried about patient safety. It is advisable to proceed cautiously with intense statin medication as it may lead to muscle damage and raised liver enzymes.

Elevated insulin causes triglyceride, LDL, and HDL levels to rise, respectively.

Elevated insulin levels are another issue with diabetes. The quantity of cholesterol molecules in the bloodstream is impacted by the elevated levels.

Does the presence of dyslipidemia influence the development of Type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes may be predicted by high cholesterol. If there is dyslipidemia, it should alert healthcare professionals to the possibility of pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes, as high cholesterol levels frequently precede insulin resistance.

What about Type 1 diabetes?

Blood glucose regulation appears to be the most important factor in reducing cardiovascular risk in people with Type 1 diabetes. When a person with Type 1 diabetes has blood glucose within the target range, their cholesterol levels will approach normal.

Individuals with poorly treated Type 1 diabetes have decreased HDL-C, or “good” cholesterol, and higher triglycerides. In Type 1 diabetics, these two factors increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Finally, can diabetes be caused by excessive cholesterol?

We now know that diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, but is diabetes itself caused by excessive cholesterol? Scholars remain uncertain. Nonetheless, there are several aspects of diabetes that appear to have an impact on cholesterol levels. In summary, they are

Smaller and denser cholesterol particles are found in diabetics, and these particles adhere to arteries to create plaques.

Diabetes with elevated glucose causes LDL-C (bad) cholesterol to remain in the bloodstream longer than it should.

Cardiovascular risk is increased in Type 2 diabetes by reduced HDL-C and greater triglycerides.

Circulation issues exacerbate the negative effects of elevated cholesterol.

It has been demonstrated that elevated triglycerides increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

I hope you now understand the connection between diabetes and cholesterol. Please let us know if you have any thoughts on the relationship between diabetes and cholesterol.

DiabetesCouncils Article | Reviewed by Dr. Christine Traxler MD on June 03, 2020