Elderly woman surrounded by glowing bones, symbolizing the protective effect of statins on bone health.

Statins: Unlocking the Secret to Stronger Bones in Older Women?

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the surprising link between statin use and improved bone health in older women. Is this a game-changer for osteoporosis prevention?"

Osteoporosis, characterized by weakened bone microstructure and reduced bone strength, poses a significant threat to millions worldwide. This condition dramatically increases the risk of fractures, leading to pain, disability, and a diminished quality of life. While low bone mineral density (BMD) is a well-established risk factor, numerous other elements, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and certain medical conditions, also play critical roles.

Statins, primarily prescribed to lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risks, have been the subject of growing interest regarding their potential benefits beyond heart health. Emerging research suggests that statins might positively influence bone health by promoting bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption, the process by which old bone is broken down. This has spurred investigations into whether statins could be a valuable tool in preventing and managing osteoporosis.

A recent study delved deeper into this connection, aiming to determine if the positive association between statin use and bone health depends on differences in cortical or trabecular volumetric bone microstructure. By examining these intricate bone structures, the researchers sought to uncover how statins might be influencing bone strength and resilience in older women.

How Statins Impact Bone Microstructure and Density?

Elderly woman surrounded by glowing bones, symbolizing the protective effect of statins on bone health.

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, involved 3,028 older women (average age 77.8 years) from the greater Gothenburg area in Sweden. Researchers used high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) to assess bone geometry and microstructure at the ultradistal and distal (14%) sites of the radius and tibia. Information on medical history, medication use, and lifestyle factors were gathered through validated questionnaires.

Key findings from the study revealed that women who used statins (803 participants) exhibited several notable differences compared to non-users:

Higher Body Weight: Statin users tended to have a higher body weight.
Worse Physical Function: They generally demonstrated poorer physical function.
More Cardiovascular Issues: A higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes was observed.
Lower Cortical Porosity: Statin users had significantly lower cortical porosity in both the radius (2.2% vs 2.5%) and tibia (5.2% vs 5.4%).
Higher Cortical Bone Density: The density of cortical bone was greater in statin users, both in the radius (1008 vs 1001 mg/cm³) and tibia (919 vs 914 mg/cm³).
Larger Cortical Area: Statin users had a greater cortical area in both the radius (60.5 vs 58.6 mm²) and tibia (150.0 vs 146.7 mm²).

These advantages in bone characteristics remained even after adjusting for a wide range of potential confounding factors, including age, weight, smoking habits, other medications, and prevalent diseases. This suggests a direct or indirect beneficial effect of statins on cortical bone structure.

Implications and Future Directions

The study's findings suggest that statin use is associated with better cortical bone characteristics in older women, potentially reducing the risk of fractures. While the exact mechanisms behind this association remain unclear, statins appear to exert a positive influence on cortical bone structure, independent of other known risk factors for osteoporosis. Larger randomized trials are needed to fully confirm these findings and determine if statins can be strategically used to enhance bone geometry, increase volumetric bone mineral density, and ultimately reduce fracture risk in older adults.

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Everything You Need To Know

How does osteoporosis specifically affect bone structure, and what are the major risks associated with it?

Osteoporosis weakens bone microstructure and reduces bone strength, significantly increasing the risk of fractures. While low bone mineral density (BMD) is a key risk factor, genetics, lifestyle, and medical conditions also contribute. Fractures resulting from osteoporosis can lead to pain, disability, and a diminished quality of life. While not covered in the provided context, understanding bone remodeling processes and the roles of osteoblasts and osteoclasts would further clarify the underlying mechanisms of osteoporosis.

What specific bone characteristics were observed to be different in older women using statins compared to those not using statins, based on the study?

The study revealed that older women using statins had lower cortical porosity, higher cortical bone density, and a larger cortical area in both the radius and tibia compared to non-users. Specifically, statin users exhibited lower cortical porosity in the radius (2.2% vs 2.5%) and tibia (5.2% vs 5.4%), higher cortical bone density in the radius (1008 vs 1001 mg/cm³) and tibia (919 vs 914 mg/cm³), and a greater cortical area in the radius (60.5 vs 58.6 mm²) and tibia (150.0 vs 146.7 mm²). These differences suggest statins have a positive impact on cortical bone structure.

How might statins influence bone health, and what are the potential mechanisms behind this influence?

Statins are thought to positively influence bone health by promoting bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption. This means statins may help build new bone while preventing the breakdown of existing bone. This potential has spurred investigations into using statins for preventing and managing osteoporosis. The study indicates statins positively influence cortical bone structure, independent of other known risk factors. While the exact mechanisms are not completely understood, statins might be affecting osteoblast and osteoclast activity or influencing bone remodeling pathways.

What were the key characteristics of the study participants, and how was bone structure assessed in the research?

The study included 3,028 older women from the greater Gothenburg area in Sweden, with an average age of 77.8 years. Researchers collected information on medical history, medication use, and lifestyle factors through validated questionnaires. Bone geometry and microstructure were assessed using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) at the ultradistal and distal (14%) sites of the radius and tibia. The use of HR-pQCT allowed for detailed examination of bone microstructure, focusing on both cortical and trabecular bone.

Beyond the effects on bone density, what are the broader implications of statin use for older women, considering cardiovascular health and other potential health risks?

While statins are primarily prescribed to lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risks, their potential impact on bone health offers an additional benefit, particularly for older women at risk of osteoporosis. The study indicated that statin users had more cardiovascular issues, suggesting they were already addressing heart health concerns. However, it's essential to weigh the benefits of statins against potential side effects and individual health profiles. Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of statins on bone health, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being in older women. The interaction of statins with other medications and pre-existing conditions should also be considered.