Over 45 million Americans and millions more worldwide are currently taking cholesterol lowering drugs. Most of them are completely unaware of the adverse and preventable side effects that cholesterol lowering drugs, also known as statin drugs, are associated with, in particular,decreased heart muscle function, increased risk of developing diabetes, cognitive decline, and memory loss. These drugs are linked to muscle damage, weakness and a breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream.
Statin drugs are very toxic because they prevent cells from producing a key vitamin, CoQ10, which causes the side effects. Relatively low doses of statin drugs such do lower cholesterol levels. These drugs function by halt an enzyme that changes the chemical HMG-CoA to mevalonate, which is an early and limiting step in cholesterol production. This part of the cholesterol pathway in animal cells leads to the development of CoQ10. Also, statin drugs can reduce CoQ10 in the liver and lowers at doses prescribed by physicians.
Tragically, most doctors are not informed about the cause of these complications, and could recommend taking CoQ10 supplements to their patients when prescribing this category of drugs. A patent even exists on the drug and CoQ10 combination, since but never released it. Merck& Co., in 1989, makers of lovastatin was awarded patent #4,933,165.
The patent states that Coenzyme Q10 is a part of the respiratory chain and is found in all cells having mitochondria. It is thus an essential ingredient in the production of energy and is very important in muscle function.
Researchers, have measured the levels of Coenzyme Q10 in heart tissue biopsy samples taken from patients with varying stages of damage to the heart muscle. These researchers observed decreasing tissue levels of CoQ10 with increasing severity of the symptoms of cardiac disease. Unfortunately, the FDA doesn't warn consumers of this dangerous and reversible side effect.There are no official warnings in the U.S. regarding CoQ10.
In contrast to the U.S., the Canadian government requires labeling and warns of CoQ10 depletion and even notes that it "could lead to impaired cardiac function in patients with borderline congestive heart failure."
Statin drugs are very toxic because they prevent cells from producing a key vitamin, CoQ10, which causes the side effects. Relatively low doses of statin drugs such do lower cholesterol levels. These drugs function by halt an enzyme that changes the chemical HMG-CoA to mevalonate, which is an early and limiting step in cholesterol production. This part of the cholesterol pathway in animal cells leads to the development of CoQ10. Also, statin drugs can reduce CoQ10 in the liver and lowers at doses prescribed by physicians.
Tragically, most doctors are not informed about the cause of these complications, and could recommend taking CoQ10 supplements to their patients when prescribing this category of drugs. A patent even exists on the drug and CoQ10 combination, since but never released it. Merck& Co., in 1989, makers of lovastatin was awarded patent #4,933,165.
The patent states that Coenzyme Q10 is a part of the respiratory chain and is found in all cells having mitochondria. It is thus an essential ingredient in the production of energy and is very important in muscle function.
Researchers, have measured the levels of Coenzyme Q10 in heart tissue biopsy samples taken from patients with varying stages of damage to the heart muscle. These researchers observed decreasing tissue levels of CoQ10 with increasing severity of the symptoms of cardiac disease. Unfortunately, the FDA doesn't warn consumers of this dangerous and reversible side effect.There are no official warnings in the U.S. regarding CoQ10.
In contrast to the U.S., the Canadian government requires labeling and warns of CoQ10 depletion and even notes that it "could lead to impaired cardiac function in patients with borderline congestive heart failure."
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Learn more about heart disease. Stop by holistic medicine pioneer and author Elaine R. Ferguson, M.D.'s site where you can find out more about holistic healing and what it can do for you.