Lipitor is a brand name for the drug atorvastatin, which is used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. The drug works by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver that is responsible for producing cholesterol [1]. The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that aims to put the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates.

According to a cardiologist at Penn Medicine, the keto diet can be beneficial for people with high cholesterol levels, as it can help to lower triglycerides and increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels [2]. However, the same cardiologist notes that the keto diet can also increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in some people, which can be concerning for those who are already taking a cholesterol-lowering medication like Lipitor.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology found that taking statins like Lipitor can decrease the level of ketones in the blood [3]. Ketones are the byproduct of fat metabolism that the body produces during ketosis. The study suggests that this decrease in ketones could be due to the fact that statins inhibit the production of cholesterol, which is a precursor to ketone production.

In conclusion, while the keto diet can be beneficial for people with high cholesterol levels, it is important to be cautious if you are already taking a cholesterol-lowering medication like Lipitor. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting the keto diet to ensure that it is safe for you to do so. Additionally, if you are already taking Lipitor, it is important to monitor your cholesterol levels closely and work with your doctor to adjust your medication as needed [2].

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-blog/2019/april/a-cardiologists-take-on-the-keto-diet
[3] https://www.virtahealth.com/faq/do-statins-decrease-ketones