Yesterday, the FDA issued new safety labeling for statin drugs that named elevated diabetes risk, as well as memory loss and mental confusion as possible side effects of the popular cholesterol lowering drugs.
Statin drugs include Lipitor, Pravachol, Crestor, Zocor and Vytorin.
Coq10 and Side Effects
Doctors still favor these drugs as the most powerful reducers of dangerously high cholesterol levels. Those who are concerned about statin side effects may want to consider Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
CoQ10 is a vital energy compound natrually found in every cell in the body. If you run out of CoQ10, different parts of your body may not have enough energy to provide for normal activities. Muscles may cramp and brains may grow forgetful.
Because statin drugs block the production of CoQ10 and cholesterol at the same time, scientists strongly suspect that a lot of the side effects from statin drugs come from CoQ10 deficiency and have found that CoQ10 can often relieve side effects.
Vitamin D and Muscle Pain
One more supplement that may blunt statin side effects is the humble but powerful Vitamin D. It was found helpful in the painful muscular symptoms caused by statins. Scientists believe that many people who get these symptoms are having an unfortunate interraction between their statin drug and their state of Vitamin D insufficiency.
Am J Health Syst Pharm 2012. J Postgrad Med 2011. Med Hypotheses 2011.[hr]
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Research and nutritional information included is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease and should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician before initiating any new dietary or supplement program. References available by request.
