Statins are well-known drugs that help lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease.
They are widely used and have been proven effective through many studies. But when it comes to public opinion, especially online, the picture is more complicated.
A recent study from Stanford Medicine looked into how people talk about statins on social media, specifically on Reddit. The researchers used artificial intelligence (AI) to study over 10,000 Reddit conversations. What they found was surprising—most of the posts had a negative or neutral tone about statins, and only about 3% were clearly positive.
This negative view might be due to the fact that people who have bad experiences or strong opinions are more likely to post online. This can create an unfair picture, making it seem like statins are less helpful or more harmful than they really are.
The researchers wanted to understand why people are hesitant to take statins, so they looked more closely at what was being discussed. Many Reddit users expressed doubts about whether statins work and shared fears that drug companies might be hiding the truth. Some people talked about using diets or supplements instead of taking statins.
One popular topic was the ketogenic (or keto) diet. This high-fat, low-carb diet is known for helping people lose weight. However, some Reddit users said their cholesterol went up even though they lost weight. This led to arguments about whether cholesterol really causes heart disease, which surprised the researchers.
Red yeast rice supplements were also mentioned often as a natural alternative to statins. But these supplements have only small amounts of the substances that lower cholesterol, and they are not always reliable.
Although these discussions reflect what people are thinking and feeling, many of the claims shared online are not backed by science. The study highlights how easy it is for misinformation to spread on social media, especially when it comes to health.
This is why it’s important for people to get health advice from trustworthy sources like doctors or official health websites. Social media can be useful for sharing stories and experiences, but it’s not a replacement for medical advice.
The Stanford study shows how AI can help researchers understand public opinion. By analyzing online conversations, scientists and doctors can learn more about why people may avoid certain medications. This can help improve communication between healthcare providers and the public.
In the end, the study reminds us that while online platforms are powerful tools for discussion, they can also spread confusion. The best way to make smart choices about your health is to rely on evidence and talk to professionals.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about top 10 foods for a healthy heart, and how to eat right for heart rhythm disorders.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to eat your way to cleaner arteries, and salt and heart health: does less really mean more?
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
