The CoQ10 Statin Secret

Reprinted with the permission of Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S.

Medical literature clearly shows that statin medications like Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor shut down the production of one of the most important nutrients in the body: Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

What many people are unaware of is the fact that when CoQ10 is depleted, it causes the LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) to become oxidized. This in turn sets off a cascade of events provoking LDL cholesterol to drill holes in the arterial wall and causing major inflammation. This inflammation sets an individual up for an increased risk of getting a heart attack or stroke.

And that is a major reason as to why taking statins drugs is no guarantee that you will not die of a heart attack.

I have to admit I am at a total loss as to why any doctor would prescribe a statin medication without adding the life-saving CoQ10. This may be a hard pill to swallow (excuse the pun) but it should be illegal to prescribe a statin without also prescribing CoQ10.

The following list of health challenges should be a wake up call for people who believe that they are safe taking statins without CoQ10. CoQ10 deficiency can cause:

-fatal cardiomyopathy

-heart attack

-congestive heart failure (which usually carries a death sentence of 5 years)

-exhaustion

-cancer

-myopathy

-depression that is resistant to antidepressants

-high blood pressure

-gum disease

-tooth loss

-hair loss

-liver disease

-sudden and/or complete memory loss or amnesia

-cataracts

-angina

-folic acid deficiency

-damaged cell membranes

-and much more.

In fact, it not only puts you at risk of getting a variety of diseases but low CoQ10 levels predict that you can die within 6 months.

So you can see that any doctor who prescribes a statin medication then turns you loose without also prescribing CoQ10 shows lack of scientific knowledge of the very drug he is authorized to prescribe. Take a look at the wealth of scientific references listed below if still in doubt.

Now if you think I am being bold about what I have just shared with you, please understand that this is serious and it is fair that you as a patient, are armed with the necessary information to make an informed decision of whether you are willing to risk the side effects of such drug, or seek alternative solutions to the problem.

Here is something that will shock many of you. Back in the 1990s, the pharmaceutical giant, Merck, decided to add CoQ10 to a statin medication. They even went so far as to get a patent. The patent number is 4,933,165. Go ahead and download the patent document:

//www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/statin-CoQ10.pdf

So you may ask why in the world would they produce a statin with CoQ10 and the answer is quite obvious. They knew the seriousness of selling the world on statins without CoQ10 and its risks to patients.

Now you may be thinking whatever happened to this drug. Well, it never made it to the marketplace. Not sure why, but again they wouldn't have created this combination statin-CoQ10 drug if they were not warned of the serious consequences of promoting a statin without CoQ10.

Hmmm...makes me very suspicious...what about you?

If you are on a statin medication, I urge you to insist that your doctor check your CoQ10 levels. You can easily have this done by getting an CardioION test which includes a direct test for CoQ10 and a more sensitive test called hydroxymethylglutarate. This is an organic acid assay which will show you if a particular dose is high enough for your body.

Need help with research or alternative solutions to you health? Contact us and let us know how we can help.

Sources:

Thomas S. R., Neuzil J., Stocker R, Inhibition of LDL oxidation by ubiquinol-10. A protective mechanism of coenzyme Q in atherogenesis? Mol Asp Med, 18 (suppl.): s 85-103, 1997

Bargossi AM, Battino M, Gaddi A, et at. Exogenous CoQ10 preserves plasma ubiquinol levels in patients treated with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, Internal J Clin Lab Res, 24: 171-6, 1994

Fuke C, Krikorian, SA, Couris RR, Coenzyme CoQ10: A review of essential functions and clinical trials, Pharmacist, 28-41, Oct 2000

Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM, Coenzyme Q10 in cardiovascular disease with emphasis on heart failure and myocardial ischaemia, Asia Pacific Heart J ,7; 3: 160-168, 1998

Langsjoen PH, et al, Treatment of statin adverse effects with supplemental coenzyme Q10 and statin drug discontinuation, BioFactors, 25 (1-4): 147-52, 2005

Langsjoen PH, et al, The clinical use of HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors and the associated depletion of coenzyme Q10. A review of animal and human publications, BioFactors, 18 (1-4): 101-11, 2003

Mabuchi H, et al, Reduction of serum ubiquinol-10 and a ubiquinone-10 levels by atorvastatin in hypercholesterolemia, patients, J Atheroscler Thromb, 12; 2:111-19, 2005

Lamperti C, Muscle, coenzyme Q10 level in statin-related myopathy, Arch Neurol, 62; 11: 1109-12, Nov 2005

Mortensen AS, et al, Coenzyme Q10: clinical benefits with biochemical correlates suggesting a scientific breakthrough in the management of chronic heart failure, Int J Tissue React, 12; 3: 155-62, 1990

Folkers K, Langsjoen P, Tamagawa H, Lovastatin decreases coenzyme levels in humans, Proc Nall Acad Sci USA, 1990; 87:8931-34

Bliznakov EG, Wilkins DJ, Biochemical and clinical consequences of inhibiting coenzyme Q10 biosynthesis by lipid-lowering HMG COA reductase inhibitors (statins): a critical overview, Advances in Therapy, 15; 4:219-28, Jul/Aug 1998

Ghirlanda G, Oradei A, Manto A, et al, Evidence of plasma CoQ 10-lowering effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, J Clin Pharmacol, 33: 226-29, 1993

Willis RA. Folkers K, Tucker JL, Tamagawa H., et al., Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in rats, Proc Nat Acad Sci USA, 87: 8928-30. 1990

Folkers K, Langsjoen P, et al, Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q10 levels in humans, Proc Nat Acad Sci USA, 87:8931-4, 1990

Bliznakov EG, Lipid-lowering to drugs (statins), cholesterol, and coenzyme Q10. The Baycol case-¬-a modern Pandora's box, Biomed Pharmacother, 56:56-9, 2002

Jameson S, Statistical data support prediction of death within six months on low levels of coenzyme Ql0 and other entities, Clin Invest, 71 (suppl):137-39, 1993