The Dangers Of Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

By Elaine R. Ferguson, M.d.


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.

These drugs are very toxic because they halt the cells from producing a key vitamin, CoQ10, which is the primary cause of the side effects. Relatively low doses of statin drugs such as Lipitor and Zocor effectively reduce plasma cholesterol levels. These drugs function by stopping an enzyme that is key to cholesterol production. A part of the cholesterol pathway in animal cells leads to the formation of CoQ10. Also, high levels of statin drugs can reduce CoQ10 in the liver and lowers CoQ10 at doses prescribed by physicians.

Regretfully, the vast majority of physicians don't know about the cause of these complications, and could recommend taking CoQ10 supplements to their patients when prescribing these drugs. Pharmaceutical company even has a patent on the drug and CoQ10 combination, since but never released it. In 1989, Merck& Co., makers of lovastatin was awarded patent #4,933,165.

The patent notes that Coenzyme Q10 is a component in the respiratory chain and is present in every cell having mitochondria. It is thus an essential co-factor in the generation of metabolic energy and is particularly critical in muscle function.

Researchers, determined the levels of Coenzyme Q10 in heart tissue biopsy samples taken from patients with varying stages of damage to the heart muscle. They discovered lower tissue levels of CoQ10 are associated 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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