Study: Statins Don’t Protect Bones

Contrary to some earlier research, a large new study concludes that statins do not reduce the risk of broken bones. People take statin drugs to reduce cholesterol and inflammation. But some studies suggested that people who took them also had fewer fractures related to osteoporosis (thin or brittle bones). In the new study, nearly 18,000 older adults were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group took the statin drug rosuvastatin (Crestor) daily. The other group received placebo (fake) pills. Researchers kept track of them for up to 5 years. During the study, fractures were about equal between the 2 groups. The study also found no connection between fractures and the amount of C-reactive protein in people’s blood. C-reactive protein is substance in blood that indicates inflammation. Increased inflammation is linked with artery disease.