Q10 and How to Cope with Side Effects of Statins

More and more doctors are prescribing more and more statinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More.  StatinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More do their work by blocking the activity in the liver of the enzyme HMG-CoA, an enzyme that facilitates the synthesis of cholesterolCholesterol is one of the major fat-soluble compounds that is found in animal plasma membranes. It is necessary for life and is found throughout the body. It is carried from the liver to the tissues where it is needed by lipoproteins of which it is a component. Much of the cholesterol is transported in Low density lipoproteins (LDL). High levels... More.

StatinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More and Q10 — same biological pathway
Now we know, from several human and animal studies, that taking statinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More also inhibits an important step in the body’s production of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More.  Dr. Richard Deichmann has summarized the studies that show that CoQ10 deficiency states can result from taking statins(1).

Taking statinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More has been associated with reduced levels of CoQ10 in blood serum and in muscle tissue.  For example, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology has shown that treatment with a statin preparation in a moderate dosage resulted in significantly reduced plasma levels of CoQ10(2).

Yes, statinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More are effective at lowering cholesterolCholesterol is one of the major fat-soluble compounds that is found in animal plasma membranes. It is necessary for life and is found throughout the body. It is carried from the liver to the tissues where it is needed by lipoproteins of which it is a component. Much of the cholesterol is transported in Low density lipoproteins (LDL). High levels... More levels.  There is little doubt about that.  But, in common with most prescription medications, statinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More do have side effects.

Muscle pain and fatigue
Whenever the body is synthesizing less CoQ10 and, as a consequence, is producing less energy at the cell level, then many people, especially users of statinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More, are going to feel some muscle pain and some fatigue that they otherwise would not feel.  One plausible theory is that the reduction in the synthesis of CoQ10 caused by the use of statinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More and caused by aging places a limit on the amount of energy that can be produced in the cells.

CoQ10 as adjuvant therapy
Taking CoQ10 as an adjuvant therapy can help to ameliorate the muscle pain and damage caused by taking statinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More.  In 2007, American researchers published the results of a study in the American Journal of Cardiology showing that regular intake of CoQ10 over a 30-day period had led to a reduction in muscle pain of up to 40% in patients taking statins(3).  CoQ10 had made it possible for the patients to tolerate their statin medication better.

In a 2012 study, 20 athletes aged 50 years or older and taking statinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More were assigned, randomly, to a CoQ10 (200 mg daily) treatment group or to a placebo group for a six-week double-blindA double-blind study is a study in which neither the investigators nor the study participants know which participants are receiving the active treatment and which participants are receiving the control treatment until the study has been completed and the seal on the code has been broken. More crossover study(4).  When the older athletes were receiving the CoQ10 treatment, both their time to anaerobic threshold and the number of quadriceps muscle repetitions they could do were increased significantly.

Safety of CoQ10
Given 30 years of safe administration of CoQ10 in numerous clinical trials, and given the benefits of using CoQ10 to alleviate statin-induced muscle pain, it seems reasonable to augment with 200 mg of CoQ10 daily(1).  It is best to take 100 mg of CoQ10 with meals, in the morning and at noon or in the evening.

The augmentation of the diet with CoQ10 would seem to be especially important for the following categories of people:

• elderly individuals whose bodies are producing less CoQ10
• individuals who are exercising actively and have greater demands for the CoQ10 in the production of ATPATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules are the high-energy molecules with easily broken phosphate bonds that release energy to the energy-requiring processes in the cells. Coenzyme Q10 is essential to the process of ATP production. More
• individuals taking statin medications

But anyone with a busy and stressful life should be taking a daily CoQ10 capsule with a formulation that has been shown to be well absorbed.

Sources:

1. Deichman, R. et al. Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More and Statin-Induced Mitochondrial DysfunctionMitochondrial dysfunction is the loss of efficiency in the process of ATP energy production.  As such, mitochondrial dysfunction is a factor in the ageing process and in virtually all chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative diseases. Coenzyme Q10 is an essential component in the mitochondrial production of ATP energy. More.  Ochsner J. 2010, Spr; 10(1): 16-21.
2. Ghirlanda G, et al. Evidence of plasma CoQ10-lowering effect by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: a double-blindA double-blind study is a study in which neither the investigators nor the study participants know which participants are receiving the active treatment and which participants are receiving the control treatment until the study has been completed and the seal on the code has been broken. More, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Pharmacol. 1993 Mar;33(3:226-9.
3. Caso G, et al. Effect of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More on Myopathic Symptoms in Patients Treated with StatinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More. Am J Cardiol. 2007;99(10):1409-12.
4. Deichman, R. et al. Impact of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More on Parameters of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Muscle Performance in Older Athletes taking StatinsStatins are a class of medications that effectively block the body’s synthesis of cholesterol. In so doing, statins also block the body’s synthesis of Coenzyme Q10. More. Phys. Sportsmed. 2012, Nov; 40(4):88-95