Are Statins a Scam?

Written by: Dr. Raquel Hammonds
May 27, 2025

If you’ve been told you have high cholesterol, chances are your provider mentioned statins early on. For many people, these medications can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.⁵ But for others, especially those with borderline numbers or no other risk factors, the idea of starting a daily medication can feel overwhelming or even unnecessary.

So what’s the real story?

In this article, we’ll break down what statins actually do, who benefits from them most, and what proven natural approaches can also help lower cholesterol—backed by science, not trends. Whether you’re weighing your options or looking for holistic ways to support heart health, you deserve clear, evidence-based information to guide your next step.

What Are Statins and Why Are They Prescribed So Often?

Statins are a class of drugs that help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, commonly called “bad cholesterol”.⁵ They work by blocking an enzyme in the liver called HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a key role in cholesterol production.⁵

Popular statins include atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and pravastatin (Pravachol).⁵

They’re typically prescribed to people who:¹

Have high LDL cholesterol (above 130 mg/dL)
Have a history of heart attack or stroke
Have diabetes and additional cardiovascular risk factors

According to the American Heart Association, statins can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by 25% or more in high-risk individuals.¹

Why the Controversy?

Statins aren’t a scam, but they’re also not harmless or necessary for everyone.⁴

The side effects of statins are real and common complaints include:⁴

Muscle pain or weakness
Fatigue
Headaches
Brain fog or memory issues
Slight increase in blood sugar

Overprescription Is a Concern

Some physicians prescribe statins to people with borderline cholesterol levels or minimal cardiovascular (heart) risk—especially without first attempting lifestyle changes. This has led to criticism that the medication is sometimes used as a shortcut, rather than as part of a comprehensive care plan.³

That said, for people with a history of heart disease, statins are proven to reduce mortality and are considered essential by most cardiology guidelines.³

Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol

If you’re not high-risk, or if you want to try lifestyle changes first, there are natural strategies that may help lower your cholesterol without medication.²

1. Add Soluble Fiber to Your Diet

Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol in your digestive system and helps remove it from the body. A meta-analysis showed that just 5–10 grams of soluble fiber per day can reduce LDL cholesterol by 5% or more.²

Easy ways to include soluble fiber in your diet include foods like oats, lentils, chia seeds, flaxseeds, apples, and psyllium husk.

2. Swap Saturated Fats for Healthy Fats

Foods high in saturated fat (like butter, red meat, and processed cheese) raise LDL cholesterol. Replace them with monounsaturated fats (avocados, olive oil) and omega-3s (fatty fish, walnuts, flax).²

The Mediterranean diet, rich in healthy fats, has been shown to reduce heart disease risk by up to 30%.²

3. Move Your Body

Regular physical activity helps raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol and lowers LDL and triglycerides.²

It is recommended to aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week—walking, cycling, swimming, dancing. Research shows that exercise also improves insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and overall heart function.²

4. Limit Added Sugar and Refined Carbs

Sugar-sweetened drinks, white bread, and processed snacks contribute to high triglycerides and LDL levels.²

Focus on whole foods, whole grains, and naturally sweetened options like fruit. Studies show reducing added sugars can improve lipid profiles even without major weight loss.²

When Statins Are Life-Saving

Let’s be clear: for people who’ve already had a heart attack or stroke, or who have very high LDL levels, statins are often essential. The American College of Cardiology recommends statins for:⁵

People with LDL ≥190 mg/dL
Those with diabetes and LDL ≥70 mg/dL
Anyone with a 10-year cardiovascular risk >7.5% (as calculated by the ASCVD Risk Calculator)
- Developed by the American College of Cardiology, the ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) Risk Calculator is a vital tool for estimating the 10-year risk of heart disease or stroke.²

For these individuals, the benefit outweighs the risk—especially when combined with healthy lifestyle changes.⁴

What to Ask Your Doctor Before Starting a Statin

You deserve to be part of your care plan. Write these questions down and ask your doctor for their insights at your next appointment:

Could I try 3–6 months of lifestyle changes first?
What are my actual risk levels based on family history, inflammation markers, and blood pressure?
Are there non-statin alternatives?
How will we monitor side effects or progress?

Statins Aren’t a Scam, But They’re Not a Shortcut

Statins are one of the most studied medications in cardiovascular care, and they can save lives. But they shouldn’t be handed out like candy, and they’re not a replacement for nutrition, movement, and self-care.

If you’re on the fence, start with lifestyle changes that work with your body—not just against a lab number. First, talk with a provider you trust. And remember: your health is your decision. Your cholesterol levels don’t define you, but how you care for your heart might just save your life.