COQ10 and StatinsCOQ10 Dosage So, what exactly is the connection between COQ10 and statins? If you're on any cholesterol-lowering statin medications such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor) we urge you to speak with you're physician immediately to see if supplementation of COQ10 is advisable. Here's why ....
These drugs have demonstrated that they decrease or even deplete the levels of COQ10. Statin drugs work by inhibiting an enzyme that is needed by the liver to manufacture cholesterol. As such, statins reduce cholesterol production by inhibiting this enzyme. However, this same enzyme is also involved in the production of COQ10. In other words, these statin drugs inhibit the enzyme that's involved in the production of both cholesterol and COQ10.
Therefore, the danger in this COQ10 and statins connection is that recent studies suggest that such COQ10 deficiency can cause cognitive, muscular, and cardiovascular health problems. Fortunately, researchers have found that CoQ10 supplementation can combat these worrisome concerns.
Unfortunately, at this time the FDA does not require manufacturers to provide us with this crucial warning information on COQ10 and statins. However, statins sold in Canada are required to carry a precautionary warning expressly stating that this class of drugs may seriously deplete COQ10 levels, which can lead to impaired cardiac functioning in people with congestive heart failure. So, if you're wandering why your physician doesn't know this information this could be the reason why. On the other hand, some physicians are quite aware. For example, Dr. Peter Langsjoen of East Texas University states: "The depletion of the essential nutrient COQ10 by the increasingly popular cholesterol-lowering drugs HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) has grown from a level of concern to one of alarm."
In addition, it is believed that large amounts of people over fifty are COQ10 deficient. In fact, as much as 75 percent could be deficient. Why? The reason for this is that levels of COQ10 drops with age. Therefore, people in this age group would also benefit from COQ10 supplementation.
Millions of North Americans take this class of cholesterol-lowering drugs so we here at Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre hope that you share this COQ10 and statins information with anyone else you know that could benefit from this knowledge. Keep in mind that not all physicians may be aware of the COQ10 and statins connection so you may want to provide them with credible information -- one that is qualified to make medical statements. The bottom line is: there are a lot of qualified N.D.'s and M.D.'s that will back this information up so we urge you to take your health in your one hands and speak to your physician immediately.
COQ10 Dosage First, there is no RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) on this nutrient. In general, the recommended dosage is 25 to 100 milligrams daily for healthy people who just want to take COQ10 for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and to promote vibrant health. Therapeutic doses are done through the strict guidance of a physician and generally range from 100 to 360 mg per day or higher. Therapeutic dosages are used to treat certain health conditions such as angina, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, and others. COQ10 dosage in regards to drug interactions such as COQ10 and Statins require consultation with a physician as well. Other drugs that play havoc on COQ10 levels include beta-blocker drugs and antidepressants. It is not advisable that you take supplements without the guidance of a qualified health care provider as we all have unique needs and situations. For example, some side effects of COQ10 were reported in the medical literature on the interaction of COQ10 and Coumadin (a prescription blood thinner). Therefore, it's important to let your doctor know if you're taking this pharmaceutical or any other blood thinner medications. Benefits of COQ10 If you are interested in learning more about the health benefits of COQ10, please visit our benefits of coenzyme Q10 information web-page.
Featured Supplement Produces CoQ10 If you're interested in a COQ10 supplement because you are worried about the COQ10 and satins connection, you should try to stick with a COQ10 product that is formulated with the ingredients needed to stimulate your body to produce its own CoQ10. Why? Some experts state that only a very small percentage of CoQ10 supplements ever get into the blood stream. Therefore, we here at Nutritional-Supplement-Educational-Centre take a natural product called Total Balance that provides us with all the key ingredients for our body to make this nutrient on its own -- equivalent to taking a 100mg tablet of CoQ10. Plus, Total Balance contains dozens of other powerful nutrients that the body needs for optimal 'whole' body health. More specifically, Total Balance is a highly sophisticated comprehensive multi-nutrient product-- containing a full spectrum of over 75 specialized nutrients including vitamins, minerals, potent antioxidants, amino acids, specialty nutrients, herbal extracts, and enzymes. In addition to its nutrition-packed content, Total Balance is formulated by a highly credentialed scientific team that can blend these ingredients perfectly to ensure maximum benefits. Special Note: CoQ10 is manufactured by the body from the amino acid tyrosine. However, in order for this synthesis to happen it requires the action of vitamins C, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, niacin, and pantothenic acid. We have been taking Total Balance as our foundation supplement for several years now and can personally attest to its excellent results such as significantly more energy, vitality, and an improved sense of well being.
We hope this webpage discussing COQ10 and Statins was useful to you. To Your Health! The Editors
Much more than COQ10 and Statins can be found at our Health Supplement Guide web-page
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