'Statins are drugs that reduce cholesterol by inhibiting an enzyme in
the liver known as ‘HMG-CoA reductase’ which ‘drives’ cholesterol
production (most of the cholesterol in the bloodstream is made in the
liver and does not come directly from the diet). But HMG-CoA reductase
also facilitates the production of a substance known as ‘coenzyme Q10’
which itself participates in the production of what is known as
‘adenosine triphosphate’ (ATP) – the most basic unit of energy ‘fuel’ in
the body. The major biochemical process which involves CoQ10 that
drives ATP and energy production in the body is known as ‘oxidative
phosphorylation’.'
'Now that we have the potted biochemistry lesson over, we can see that
statins have the potential, by lowering CoQ10 levels, to put a break on
oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production in the muscles. The end
result may be fatigue? Muscle pain is another potential consequence.
In a study published this week in the Journal of the American College
of Cardiology (JACC), Danish researchers measured CoQ10 levels in
individuals taking simvastatin (a commonly-prescribed statin), and
compared them with those not taking statins [1]. The levels in those
taking the statin were significantly lower.'
'Now, studies such as this one are what is termed ‘epidemiological’ in
nature, which means it looks at associations between things, but cannot
prove that one thing is causing another. However, of relevance here is
other evidence which finds that giving statins to people does indeed
have the capacity to lower levels of CoQ10 in the body [2]. '
'What was also interesting about the JACC study is that it found that
those treated with statins had lower levels of oxidative phosphorylation
than those not taking them. They also had reduced ‘insulin
sensitivity’. This is relevant for a number of reasons, including the
fact that insulin facilitates the uptake of nutrients such as glucose
into the cells. Lowered insulin sensitivity can therefore ‘starve’ the
cells of essential nutrients. Reduced insulin sensitivity is also the
underlying fault in type 2 diabetes. It is perhaps worth bearing in mind
that statin use has been proven to increase the risk of type 2
diabetes.'
'Another thing worth bearing in mind here, I think, is the fact that
the heart is a muscle, and depleting it of CoQ10 may be hazardous for
cardiac health. Specifically, it may weaken the heart and lead to what
is known as ‘heart failure’ (also known as ‘congestive cardiac
failure’). I think the ‘benefits’ of statins are vastly overstated,
generally speaking. However, if someone is to take statins, I think it’s
a reasonable safeguard to take CoQ10 on a daily basis. 100 mg a day is a
decent dose, I think, though higher doses are likely to better when
symptoms of statin toxicity are present.
In researching this article, I came across an interesting review of
the evidence for statin-inducted CoQ10 depletion in both humans and
animals [3]. Here’s what the authors of this review have to say in their
concluding remarks:
Statin-induced CoQ10 deficiency is completely preventable with supplemental CoQ10 with no adverse impact on the cholesterol lowering or anti-inflammatory properties of the statin drugs. We are currently in the midst of a congestive heart failure epidemic in the United States, the cause or causes of which are unclear. As physicians, it is our duty to be absolutely certain that we are not inadvertently doing harm to our patients by creating a wide-spread deficiency of a nutrient critically important for normal heart function.'
The above quoted from drbriffa.com
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