New Delhi. Same drugs that help reduce cholesterol might also prevent nerve damage brought on by diabetes.  Both drugs are already highly recommended for people with type 2 diabetes to help prevent heart attacks. Now they appear to help this type of nerve damage, as per a study done by Dr. Timothy Davis, of the University of Western Australia. 

In an eight-year study of statins and fibrates (atorvastatin and fenofibrate), the two classes of cholesterol medications,  significantly cut the risk of developing peripheral sensory diabetic neuropathy, said Dr KK Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India.  

Neuropathy that affects half of all diabetics, can cause stinging or burning sensations, tingling, pain, numbness or weakness in the hands and feet and is a major cause of amputations, one in every 50 seconds.

Statins, reduce levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of heart attacks and stroke.   Fibrates are drugs that have been shown to raise levels of HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol, and reduce triglyceride.

Statin drugs reduced the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy by 35 percent, and fibrates cut the risk by 48 percent.