Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, is a critical enzyme found in every cell of our bodies. It serves as a catalyst for several key steps in the production of cellular energy, and in particular, plays an important role in cellular ATP production. As would be expected, CoQ10 is highly concentrated in nerve cells and heart muscle cells, both high energy users.
Every cell in our body has a “power producing” organ called Mitochondria. The mitochondria in each cell produce ATP, a substance used as energy for cellular and body processes. Without CoQ10, the cell mitochondria cannot function and as a result, very little energy is produced. The end result of a deficiency of CoQ10 is a completely debilitating weakness and inability to physically complete even the easiest of tasks.
Statin drugs deplete CoQ10 in the body because they interrupt the metabolic pathway leading to the production of cholesterol and CoQ10. The effects of this interference can result in severe and permanent damage to the body’s natural energy systems.
Statins deplete both cellular and blood concentrations of CoQ10, with higher doses depleting this critical substance at higher rates. The results are certainly a threat to good health and in some cases, a threat to one’s life.
A severe lack of CoQ10 can result in congestive heart failure as the heart cells lack the energy they need to function.
Other side effects of statins include, but are not limited to, severe muscle pain and weakness, muscle cell death leading to kidney damage and failure, problems with body temperature regulation, cognition and memory issues, personality changes, polyneuropathy, a condition in which the nerves in the extremities become inflamed and painful, and in some cases, death.
Baycol, a statin introduced in January 1998, caused the death of 60 people worldwide over the two years it was on the market.
Duane Graveline, the author of Lipitor, Thief of Memory, has a forum where people who have been damaged by statin drugs talk about their experience.
Many of these unfortunate people discuss being diagnosed with Mitochondrial Myopathy after taking a statin drug. Mitochondrial Myopathy is a neuromuscular disease caused by damage to the mitochondria. Nerve cells in the brain and muscles require a great deal of energy and thus appear to be particularly damaged when mitochondrial damage occurs.
The symptoms of Mitochondrial Myopathy include muscle weakness or exercise intolerance, heart failure or rhythm disturbances, dementia, seizures and other health issues. As would be expected, these symptoms are very similar to the side effects of statin interference in the metabolic pathway which produces CoQ10.
Ironically, statin drugs are prescribed to patients to address elevated cholesterol, a condition that is not life-threatening, and which is in fact, life supporting. All of the pain and suffering caused by these dangerous drugs is unnecessary and tragic.
The FDA has thousands of complaints on file but has yet to take action to protect the American public.
