There's some interest in taking CoQ10 together with statins. Some experts think taking CoQ10 as a supplement can prevent muscle cell damage. There is no doubt that statin drugs (cholesterol lowering drugs), reduce the body’s coq10 levels and therefore anyone taking statins should also be taking this nutrient. However there's no firm evidence that taking CoQ10 at the same time as atorvastatin will benefit your health. As for whether taking CoQ10 can prevent the side effects of statins, the studies of CoQ10 supplementation with statins are small and not conclusive. Statins Lower CoQ10 Statin drugs lower the body’s natural CoQ10 levels. In order to counter the muscle pain produced by Lipitor, the solution may seem simple: Take CoQ10 supplements. Vitamin C promotes the production of coenzyme Q10 and lowers the Lp(a) form of cholesterol. Three-quarters of the CoQ10 group reported a reduction in statin-related muscle pain, while the placebo group saw no improvement. (I'm NOT suggesting you stop taking them, I just do what I think is right for me.) More research is needed. CoQ10 supplements are increasingly popular and are found among energy and anti-aging supplements alike. Because CoQ10 can interact with medications, especially blood thinners and statins for high cholesterol, check with your doctor before using supplements if you’re on prescription meds. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant that your body produces naturally. This is a problem some people have when they take statins. CoQ10 is a powerful compound that helps your heart. 1 doctor answer. After a lot of study on my own, I take a recommended dosage of 100mg daily. Some studies show CoQ10 may lower this risk. Summary CoQ10 is an antioxidant that exists in almost every cell of the human body. 31 years experience Family Medicine. I take a statin. That's because CoQ10 mixes safely with other vitamins. Dr. Glatter warns that “CoQ10 can also lower blood sugar, and if you are taking other diabetes drugs, you run the risk of developing low blood sugar,” he says. Should I be taking coenzyme Q10 to protect myself against the muscle pain that statins can cause? If you take statin drugs without taking CoQ10, your health is at serious risk. In fact, scientists have found that taking statins can lower CoQ10 levels by as much as 40%. If aches develop while taking one particular statin, you should change to another newer generation stain and consider CoQ10 supplementation if aches continue. This type of vitamin K is extracted from the fermented Japanese soy product, natto. If You’re on Statins, Make Sure You Take CoQ10 and Vitamin K2 Supplements . CoQ10 is fat-soluble, so it’s better absorbed by the body if taken with a meal that contains fat. But you should always use caution when taking dietary supplements. Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs. CoQ10 is a chemical in the mitochondria of your cells and it is a main chemical in the electron transport chain that allows you to make energy. I have to admit I am at a total loss why any doctor would prescribe a statin medication without adding the life-saving CoQ10. Research has shown that cholesterol-lowering statin medications can lower CoQ10 levels. CoQ10 can also lower blood pressure. While high doses of niacin may help to lower cholesterol, studies show that if you already take a statin drug, adding high-dose niacin does not appear to provide additional benefit and may carry serious risks . CoQ10 and your diabetes meds. Most importantly, studies which evaluate the effect of CoQ10 in improving adherence to statins are currently lacking which is why NICE do not recommend its use. Statins help to lower cholesterol and protect against heart attacks, but they can also cause muscle pain. should u take coq10 with a statin? There are no official warnings in the U.S. regarding CoQ10 depletion from taking statin drugs, and … This may be hard to swallow (excuse the pun) but it should be illegal to prescribe a statin without also prescribing CoQ10. Taking cinnamon supplements could potentially be dangerous, especially for the millions of people who take statin drugs to lower their cholesterol, a new case report suggests. Here are five reasons why you should never take statins: 1. Ubiquinol is more bioavailable than CoQ10—meaning it is easier for the body to absorb and use—because, unlike CoQ10, the body doesn’t have to convert Ubiquinol before using it. They promise to lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease. If your doctor prescribes a statin therapy you should start taking vitamin K supplements and we recommend looking for the MK-7 form. Berberine should be avoided or used with caution when taking certain statin drugs, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor). Lipitor and other statins seem to lower the CoQ10 your body naturally produces, according to the Mayo Clinic. Your cells use CoQ10 for growth and maintenance.. Levels of CoQ10 in your body decrease as you age.CoQ10 levels have also been found to be lower in people with certain conditions, such as heart disease, and in those who take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. This is why if you’re taking a statin, you should consider taking a Ubiquinol supplement. We can make CoQ10 but it’s well known that humans cannot make vitamin C. Comparing humans to mammals has led some nutrient researchers to theorize that we should take several thousand milligrams of vitamin C to keep up with our four footed friends. Treatment with statins has been associated with reduced plasma CoQ10 levels, and it has been hypothesised that supplementation with CoQ10 may assist with management of statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS). So if we can avoid using CoQ10 and remain comfortable, power to you.   The best time to take statins depends on the specific drug. Statin-related muscle symptoms — Statin therapy can lead to achy muscles and even weakness. For individuals taking statins CoQ10 ubiquinol maybe reduced. People should consult a doctor before taking any new medications or dietary supplements, including CoQ10. Statins are some of the most widely prescribed drugs on the market. A 2007 study in the American Journal of Cardiology showed a 40 percent decrease in pain among statin users who took 100 milligrams of CoQ10 daily versus those who took 400 international units (IU) of vitamin E daily. I think it is best to avoid supplements we do not need to take. Some statins work best in the evening while others work just as well in the morning. You don’t need to include CoQ10 with multivitamins, but if you choose to use both supplements, there are some advantages to taking them together. Supplements can interfere with other medicines you may also be taking. ‘Should I take a statin?’ is a common question in my surgery, particularly when newspaper stories advocate benefits or report dire side effects. Statins have been available for the past 30 years. This a major reason why taking statins drugs is no guarantee you will not die of a heart attack. There are some special concerns about CoQ10 that you should be aware of. Unfortunately, this describes the majority of people who take them in the United States. Therefore, the Supplements you should take, if on statins, to reduce dangerous side effects and support heart health are: Of course like any change to your medication, you should ask your doctor if there would be any conflicts with your medication before taking the following: Coenzyme Q10: (aka Ubiquinol): Take … In one small study, 50 patients taking statin medications were given 100 mg of CoQ10 or a placebo for 30 days. Co-enzyme Q10, or CoQ10, for example, is now often recommended by doctors to patients on statins. But this enzyme gives your muscle cells more energy — which may be why muscle pain is a common statin side effect. They are taken once a day and can reduce risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) , which can result in heart attack or stroke . If you decide to take a CoQ10 supplement, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Statins are known to deplete CoQ10 (ubiquinol) levels and this fact was to be added as a warning on statin cartons and inserts but the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) decided against it in 2014. Statins have potentially serious side effects, and there are instances in which they should not be taken. As the benefits of statins are well researched and they are in widespread use, it is important that measures are taken to reduce the risk of rare but potentially serious side effects. The Ubiquinol form of CoQ10 serves several essential functions in the body, and even small decreases in Ubiquinol can disrupt the body’s ability to produce energy and lead to oxidative stress. 25% of Americans are taking statin drugs. Luckily, a 2014 study found that 75 percent of patients who took CoQ10 twice daily for 30 days reported reduced muscle aches. More than 1 in 4 Americans over the age of 45 are taking statins. Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant produced by the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) appears to be safe to take with statins. Also, taking it at night may increase your body’s ability to absorb it. Not everyone will be so lucky. What many people don’t know, is just how much damage they can do. One last important note: Most experts say that CoQ10 supplements should not be given to children 18 and under unless doing so is advised by a healthcare practitioner. Yes: The main side effects from statins are that they deplete the body of CoQ10. I take CoQ10 daily, and I'm not even on a statin, I refuse to take them due to the current studies showing more damage than good comes from them. Dr. Stuart Hickerson answered. Some pharmaceutical medications reduce levels of CoQ10 in your body. This is because cholesterol and CoQ10 are made in the same pathway in the body. 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