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Statins and Co-Q10
Numerous nutrients are needed by the body to maintain optimal health.
Some of these, such as vitamins, are not produced by the body and need
to be obtained from either nutritional supplements or food. Others are
produced by the body, but may still need to be obtained from dietary
sources due to depletion or a decrease in natural production associated
with aging or illness.
Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like compound that belongs to a
family of 10 substances designated coenzyme Qs. But CoQ10 is the only
one found in human tissue. CoQ10 is present in virtually all cells and
is especially high in concentration in the heart, liver, kidneys and
pancreas.1 Within the cells, the majority of CoQ10 is
found in the mitochondria, the cellular organelles responsible for
energy production.1 CoQ10 is essential to the energy
production cycle that takes place inside the mitochondria, and it also
functions as an antioxidant.2
However, the benefits of CoQ10 are not limited to its function on a
cellular level. CoQ10 supplementation is also beneficial in addressing
cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension and congestive heart
failure, and it has been shown to reduce heart attack risk.3
Because the body produces adequate amounts of CoQ10, it is not
considered a vitamin1 and is often overlooked in the
daily vitamin regimen. However, a recent study reported in The American
Journal of Cardiology demonstrated a need for CoQ10 supplementation in
individuals taking statin medications for the treatment of elevated
cholesterol levels.
Statin medications, also known as HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, are
effective in inhibiting cholesterol synthesis, thus reducing
cholesterol levels by decreasing cholesterol production. In doing so,
statins block production of farnesyl pyrophosphate, an intermediate in
the synthesis of CoQ10.4 Myopathy, or muscle pain, a
frequent side effect associated with statin use is believed to be
related to a reduction in CoQ10 levels.
According to Giuseppe Caso, MD, MSc, PhD and colleagues at Stony Brook
University in New York, some of the myopathic symptoms in patients
treated with statins may result from a depletion of CoQ10 and the
associated inability of the mitochondria to supply the energy needed
for muscle contraction. CoQ10 supplementation may help reverse these
symptoms.
Subjects with myopathic symptoms associated with statin use who
received supplemental CoQ10 had a 40 percent decrease in pain severity
and 38 percent decrease in interference by pain in their daily
activities. Sixteen of the 18 participants who received CoQ10 reported
less pain compared to three subjects in the control group.
Although this recent study focused on the benefits of CoQ10 during
statin therapy, the benefits of CoQ10 are not limited to those taking
prescription statin medications.
Individuals taking Red
Yeast Rice, a dietary supplement used for the maintenance of
optimal cholesterol levels, may also benefit from supplemental CoQ10.
CoQ10 is a readily available and well-tolerated nutritional supplement,
the benefits of which are well documented. Nature's Sunshine offers the
following CoQ10 nutritional supplements to help meet your daily CoQ10
needs:
Co-Q10
(30 mg), Co-Q10
Plus, and Co-Q10
Softgel 75 mg.
References:
1. Jellin JM, Gregory PJ, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al. Pharmacist’s
Letter/Prescriber’s Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.
8th ed. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty; 2006:pg 351.
2. Linus Pauling Institute. Available at: www.lpi.oregonstate.edu
Accessed June13, 2007.
3. Jellin JM, Gregory PJ, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al. Pharmacist’s
Letter/Prescriber’s Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.
8th ed. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty; 2006:pg 350.
4. Marcoff L, Thompson PD. The role of coenzyme Q10 in
statin-associated myopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2007; 49:2231-2237.
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