According to British researchers, fast food restaurants might consider distributing free cholesterol-lowering statin drugs alongside their burgers and fries, enabling customers to counteract the heart disease risks associated with such foods.
Statins are known to decrease the levels of harmful “LDL” cholesterol in the bloodstream, and numerous studies have demonstrated their effectiveness in lowering the risk of heart attacks.
This week, scientists from Imperial College London indicated that the consumption of a statin pill might mitigate the heart risk posed by the fats found in a medium cheeseburger and a small milkshake.
Dr. Darrel Francis of the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London remarked, “While statins can help, they do not eliminate all the detrimental effects associated with consuming burgers and fries. It’s preferable to steer clear of fatty foods in general.”
He added, “That said, we’ve calculated that in terms of your chances of experiencing a heart attack, the reduction in risk provided by a statin can largely match the increase in risk due to a fast-food meal.”
The researchers compared this strategy to advising individuals to wear seatbelts, given the heightened health risks associated with driving a vehicle.
“They noted that similarly, there are individuals who consume unhealthy foods,” they stated.
However, health professionals reacted with skepticism to this suggestion.
Peter Weissberg, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, pointed out, “The idea that the negative effects of consuming junk food could be counteracted by taking a cholesterol-lowering statin should not be interpreted too literally.”
He added, “A diet rich in junk food presents various detrimental outcomes beyond merely elevating cholesterol levels.”
Among these consequences are elevated blood pressure due to high salt intake and the risk of obesity, he explained.
“While statins play a crucial role for those already afflicted with or at significant risk of heart disease, they should not be viewed as a miraculous solution.”
