CoQ10 and Statin Drugs

There are a number of substances, used by the body in its metabolism, that are not classed as vitamins because they are so important that the body cannot afford to rely on external sources for them and so makes its own supply.

Coenzyme Q10 is one of them.

Statin drugs (the drugs with “statin” at the end of the name, of which there are several) are given by doctors in an attempt to reduce the level of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and increase the level of HDL (“good” cholesterol). This is usually successful, but these drugs have many known and recognised side effects.

Included in these are cramp, muscle pain, and in rare cases a problem called rhabdomyosis, which involves muscle tissue breaking down, causing acute severe pain and kidney damage caused by the breakdown products flooding into the bloodstream. They can also cause problems with the heart.

This is a serious medical problem. If you are on statins and start getting severe muscle pains, see your doctor as soon as possible!

The reason for most of these side effects is that the drugs, as well as reducing cholesterol, reduce production of CoQ10 in the body by blocking an enzyme needed for the early stages of production of both.

CoQ10 is vital for energy production in the body, so any tissue needing large amounts of energy will be affected by this shortage of CoQ10. These tissues include the brain, the heart, and the muscles.

The simple solution to this problem is to take supplemental CoQ10 to restore body levels, and in fact the more progressive doctors are now recommending CoQ10 supplementation to long-term statin users.

To buy CoQ10, click this link: www.NationalNutrition.co.uk