Article Summary:
- The activities of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and statins are interrelated because the biosynthesis of cholesterol and CoQ10 share several pathways. Although statins decrease cholesterol levels, they decrease circulating CoQ10 levels as well.
- CoQ10, a mitochondrial enzyme, plays a critical role in cellular energy production and is abundantly present in the heart, lungs, and other vital organs.* A depleted level of CoQ10 due to taking a statin can often lead to muscle pain and cramps.
- Taking an innovative CoQ10 supplement, such as CoQ10 Pro®, along with a statin, can address statin-induced muscular pathologies, as well as provide support for healthy cardiac function.*
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, commonly known as statins, are FDA-approved lipid-lowering drugs used to lower the risks of cardiovascular pathologies. Statins lower the concentrations in the blood of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG), while elevating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations. Although statin intake is a preventative measure to lower cholesterol levels, it also lowers the circulating level of CoQ10, which can result in muscle pain, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, and tiredness. Research indicates1 that a daily intake of 30-200 mg of CoQ10 in supplemental form can address these statin-induced muscular disorders.
CoQ10 and Statins: How Do They Affect Musculoskeletal Health?
Cholesterol production in liver cells involves the conversion of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) by the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. Statins inhibit the activity of the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, thus limiting the intracellular production of cholesterol. It is worth noting that statins can significantly lower cholesterol levels because most of the circulating cholesterol in the blood comes from the internal production of cholesterol in liver cells rather than from the diet.
Statins also exert protective cardiovascular effects by stabilizing plaques in and on the artery walls and enhancing endothelial cell functions, resulting in vasodilation (dilation of the blood vessels) and thus improved blood flow.
CoQ10’s production pathway shares several steps with cholesterol’s production pathway. As a result, statin therapy also lowers2 the level of circulating CoQ10, thus adversely impacting musculoskeletal health. The following table highlights how statin intake affects muscles and how CoQ10 intake counters these adverse effects.*
| CoQ10 and Statins: Effect on Musculoskeletal Health | ||
| Increase in Creatine Kinase (CK): The CK enzyme is found in skeletal muscles, heart muscles, and the brain. Statin intake is associated with an elevated CK level in some individuals. An elevated CK level can indicate damage to skeletal muscle or heart muscle. Supplementing with CoQ10 has been shown3 to restore CK activity to baseline levels.* | ||
| Musculoskeletal toxicity: Circulating CoQ10 is critical for energy production in the skeletal muscles. Statin-induced depletion of CoQ10 can cause musculoskeletal toxicity, resulting in muscle cramping, soreness, fatigue, and, in rare cases, rapid muscle breakdown. CoQ10 supplementation enhances CoQ10 concentration in muscle cell membranes, thus countering this statin-induced muscular pathology4. |
The efficacy of CoQ10 supplementation to address muscle pain and cramping caused by statin therapy is well established5. Unfortunately, the poor bioavailability and absorption of CoQ10 compromises the effectiveness of most oral CoQ10 supplements.
Including A CoQ10 Supplement in Your Diet
CoQ10 is at the core of cellular energy production, and its antioxidant properties limit the toxic effects of free radicals on cardiac tissues and muscles. CoQ10 benefits for the heart and its role in countering the side effects of statin therapy make it a widely consumed nutritional supplement for promoting cardiovascular health.*
However, the relatively high molecular weight of CoQ10, its instability, and its limited solubility compromise its therapeutic benefits. Only three percent of plain CoQ10 is estimated to be absorbed when taken orally. To counter this, various delivery approaches have been implemented with the purpose of increasing the absorption of CoQ10. One such approach – encasing CoQ10 with cyclodextrins – has been found to enhance CoQ10’s bioavailability and absorption compared to unformulated CoQ10.
Tesseract Medical Research’s CoQ10 Pro® is an innovative CoQ10 complex that utilizes a proprietary cyclodextrin technology — the CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery technology. Each molecule of CoQ10 is encased in a dextrin fiber delivery cage and released at the desired point within the intestinal tract, resulting in maximum absorption. This targeted delivery of highly effective CoQ10 to heart and muscle tissue counters the adverse effects of statins.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing bioavailability and absorption, and micro-dosing of multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Visit our website for more information about how Tesseract’s nutritional supplements can support your cardiovascular health.*
Citations
1Littlefield N, et al. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners vol. 26,2 (2014):85-90. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12046
2Littarru, Gian Paolo, and Peter Langsjoen. Mitochondrion vol. 7 Suppl (2007): S168-74. doi:10.1016/j.mito.2007.03.002
3Forester BP, et al. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology vol. 25,1 (2012):43-50. doi:10.1177/0891988712436688
4Skarlovnik, Ajda et al. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research vol. 20 2183-8. 6 Nov. 2014, doi:10.12659/MSM.890777
5Banach, Maciej et al. Mayo Clinic proceedings vol. 90,1 (2015): 24-34. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.08.021
