Hands up those of you that have not only heard of statin drugs but are also taking them? Now hands up those of you that know of but are also taking the vitamin CoEnzyme Q10? Well for those of you who raised your hand to the former but not to the latter, you need to read this.

Coenzyme Q10 is an essential nutrient which is produced naturally in the body and concentrated in the ‘powerhouse’ of each cell, transforming food into energy. It can help a variety of health problems from improving muscle function and reducing blood pressure to targeting the damage caused by the ageing process and boosting energy levels.
The drug group of Statins that include artoravstatin and simvastatin, reduce the synthesis of both cholesterol and co-enzyme Q10 in the body. Its mechanisms to reduce unwanted LDL cholesterol are indeed welcome. However the reduction of CoEnzyme Q10 can have a significant impact on cardiovascular function. In fact, taking a statin can halve your natural production of CoQ10 within just two weeks. Studies suggest that 20mg of Simvastatin reduced the level of plasma CoEnzyme Q10 by 42.9% over a period of 3 months(1). This reduction in vital levels of CoEnzyme Q10 can reduce its protective ability against oxidative stress in areas such as the arteries. This reduced protection can play a significant contributory role in the development of atherosclerosis.
What does this mean?
With statins being prescribed to around 2.5 million people in the UK each year this would mean that there is a growing population deficient in CoEnzyme Q10.

Its nomenclature Ubiquinone, translated literally as ‘everywhere’, gives you an indication of how important CoEnzyme Q10 really is. Its vital role in energy production means that should our stores run into ‘red’ you can experience debilitating symptoms such as a lack of energy, muscle aches and pains and, over a period of time, heart problems, including heart failure.
Although the body is able to produce its own supply of CoEnzymeQ10 blood concentrations of this nutrient peak at 20 years of age and it is not long into our life that demand starts to outweigh supply. Supply from foods ‘rich’ in CoEnzyme q10 are unable to provide the therapeutic levels that the body needs in a state of deficiency. Add to this declining levels as a result of food processing and you will be able to see why many professionals in the natural health field feel so passionately about supplementing the diet with CoEnzymeQ10, most specifically for those on statin medication.
Comprehensive European Studies demonstrate that combining CoEnzyme Q10 supplementation with statins preserved the level of CoEnzymeQ10 in the blood without affecting the cholesterol lowering efficacy of statins. Indeed one study suggested a potential additive or synergistic relationship between coenzyme Q10 and the effectiveness of statins and the progression of cardiovascular disease. (2)

So take care of your heart by adopting the future of integrated medicine where ‘orthodox’ rubs shoulders with ‘alternative’ and take CoEnzymeQ10 as seriously as we do.