Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient that helps with energy production in the cells of your body, specifically in the mitochondria of every cell. Comparable to your heart beating – the flow of energy that is required for your cells to be healthy is continuous and essential to life.
Your body is dependent on adequate levels of Co Q10 in your cells, and without it your body would lack the fuel to be able to function.
Coenzyme Q10 has potent antioxidant activity as well, to protect your cell membranes and DNA from the damaging effects of free radicals. It protects your arteries from cholesterol, helping to prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Since Co Q10 is a fat-soluble nutrient, it must be transported into your blood with LDL cholesterol molecules. In response, when cholesterol levels are lowered with statin drugs, Co Q10 levels are reduced as well. Studies have shown that can be as much as 50%.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 34% of adults over age 45, and as many as 86% of adults over age 65, take statin drugs. Statins work to lower cholesterol by blocking a key enzyme in the liver. They are very effective for that job but do not come without side effects.
Some of the side effects of statins are more common type sypmtoms: muscle aches, diarrhea, constipation and nausea. Then there are the serious side effects that statins may cause: liver damage, kidney problems and muscle damage.
Laboratory studies have shown that statins decrease Coenzyme Q10 levels in heart and also in skeletal muscle tissue, although human studies have not produced the same effect to date. What researchers are thinking in regard to muscles being affected is that the statin-induced side effect of muscle pain can be related to the muscle’s energy production – being lowered by the reduction of Co Q 10 in the body.
If you have hypertension you may have low levels of Co Q10. So we have discussed different reasons why your body may have lower than desired levels of Coenzyme Q10.
The question is: How can you increase Co Q10 levels in your body?
Coenzyme Q10 Supplements
Co Q10 has been called the shining star among supplements and there are definite reasons why you may want to consider supplementing your diet with it – one is if you take statin drugs. The use of statins can have a negative impact on the Coenzyme Q10 levels in your body.
Both cholesterol and Co Q10 are produced in your liver. And they both produce the same metabolic pathway. What this means is that statins do not only inhibit the production of cholesterol, but also inhibits the production of Coenzyme Q10 in your body. Also, Co Q10 levels in your blood are reduced by the mere act of lowering your LDL cholesterol.
Interestingly, Co Q10 supplements can help lower blood pressure as well. So it certainly appears that adults, especially over the age of 50, can benefit from taking a Co Q10 supplement for heart health. And all who use statin drugs can benefit.
These are important reasons to consider a Co Q10 supplement. Your heart tissue, with its high energy demands on your body, depends on high levels of Coenzyme Q10 in your body.
Researchers that study the effects of taking the supplement on a daily basis show that taking it does help replenish the Coenzyme Q10 levels that are reduced by statin use. In addition, research suggests that 100 mg Co Q10 supplements can produce 40% decreased pain intensity and 38% reduction in pain interfering with your daily activities.
An additional consideration: if you have hypertension you may have low levels of Co Q10. And, interestingly, Co Q10 supplements can help lower blood pressure.
Co Q10 has been called the shining star among supplements and there are definite reasons why you may want to consider supplementing your diet with it – one is if you take statin drugs. The use of statins can have a negative impact on the Coenzyme Q10 levels in your body.
Both cholesterol and Co Q10 are produced in your liver. And they both produce the same metabolic pathway. What this means is that statins do not only inhibit the production of cholesterol, but also inhibits the production of Coenzyme Q10 in your body. Also, Co Q10 levels in your blood are reduced by the mere act of lowering your LDL cholesterol.
These are important reasons to consider a Co Q10 supplement. Your heart tissue, with its high energy demands on your body, depends on high levels of Coenzyme Q10 in your body.
An important criteria for a supplement is to verify the amount of Co Q10 that is available for absorption. That’s important with all food supplements since it can vary immensely from brand to brand and you want your body to be able to absorb the complete serving.
To learn about all-natural Coenzyme Q10 with 100 mg daily serving plus resveratrol in a bioavailable softgel, visit: Coenzyme Q10 Supplement.
I take pills to lower my cholesterol. How long should a person be on these pills before they worry about damage to their liver, kidneys, and muscles?
I already suffer from the muscle aches and nausea. Grr.
Hi Bonnie-
Thanks for visiting. If you’re already suffering from muscle aches, you are having symptoms of the statins. As soon as you start taking the meds, the process starts to inhibit cholesterol and along with it Coenzyme Q10. It’s an individual thing in regard to the more serious side effects that you mentioned, and something you would need to discuss with your doctor if you are having any symptoms in regard to your liver or kidneys.
Stopping by to read and comment from the Facebook group – thanks for a very informative post! I don’t have problems with hypertension or high cholesterol, but I do have pain in my joints from arthritis. I could always benefit from more energy! I do take specially formulated supplements for women ages 50+ from Melaleuca, and they seem to help reduce the joint pain.