The study, published in the Journal of Lipid Research, found significant correlations between finasteride use and lower cholesterol levels in men taking part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2009 and 2016.
In mice taking high finasteride doses, the researchers found reductions in total plasma cholesterol, delayed atherosclerosis progression, lower inflammation in the liver, and related benefits.
As exciting as the survey results were, they had their limitations:
Of nearly 4,800 survey respondents meeting general health criteria for inclusion in the analysis, only 155, all men over 50, reported using finasteride. Another fact was that the researchers couldn’t tell how much or how long men in the survey had taken the drug.
The researchers admitted that this was not a clinical study in which you can control everything perfectly. It was more of an observation that led them to then carry out studies in mice to see what happened. Although the effects were only significant at the highest dose, a level that researches stated was outrageous for humans. Mice metabolize finasteride differently than people.
Like any medication, finasteride is not without risk. People should consult their doctors to learn more.