With more and more people taking cholesterol-reducing drugs known as statins, CoQ10 deficiency is becoming a greater risk.
Nearly 60 million people in the US are taking prescription statin medications such as Lipitor, Crestor, Zocol, and others to reduce cholesterol levels. High levels of cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds up in arteries and blocks blood flow.
While statin drugs have proven to be very effective at lowering blood cholesterol levels, their action also interferes with the metabolism of coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10 or Ubiquinone.
A growing body of evidence suggests that the depletion of this crucial substance may pose significant health risks, particularly for individuals with impaired cardiac function.
CoQ10 is a naturally-occurring nutrient that is present in every cell in the body.
Its primary function is the production of energy at the cellular level, but it is also known to be a powerful antioxidant, capable of reducing and even repairing the damage done by free radicals (unstable molecules that are produced when cells interact with oxygen).
Free radical damage has been shown to play a major role in a host of diseases and disorders, particularly those associated with aging.
CoQ10 Deficiency Can Negatively Impact Heart Health
Research shows that coenzyme Q10 is absolutely crucial to heart health. It’s energy-producing capabilities enhance the action of the heart muscle, making the heart operate more efficiently.
Clinical studies indicate that supplemental coQ10 taken after a heart attack can significantly reduce the risk of subsequent heart attacks, and supplementation before heart surgery is believed to lower risk of arrhythmias and other complications and shorten recovery time.
The potential of statin drugs interfering with CoQ10 metabolism is particularly worrying in light of the fact that production of the coenzyme is known to decrease as we age. Statin drugs are most commonly prescribed for patients over 50, who may be already deficient in the coenzyme.
If You’re Taking Statins, Should You Take Supplemental CoQ10?
Though CoQ10 supplements are generally very safe, people taking statin drugs should consult their physicians before making a decision on whether or not supplements are needed.
This is particularly important because no standard RDA for the coenzyme has been set. In research and clinical trials “typical” dosage is generally considered to be somewhere between 30 and 90 mgs daily, but some research indicates best results are achieved with much higher dosages.
No official position on the statins-CoQ10 connection has been taken by US authorities, Canadian health authorities require that statins sold in Canada carry a precautionary warning regarding CoQ10 depletion.
