Statin treatment associated with depleted levels of coenzyme Q10 and cytochrome oxidase

This study was published in Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods 2009 Jan;19(1):44-50

 

Study title and authors:

Decreased ubiquinone availability and impaired mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase activity associated with statin treatment.

Duncan AJ, Hargreaves IP, Damian MS, Land JM, Heales SJ.

Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 1BG, UK.

 

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19778232

This study investigated the involvement of statins in impaired cellular energy production. Mitochondria are the cells power plants, and coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) and cytochrome oxidase (complex IV) are vital enzymes needed in cellular energy production.

In a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) was shown to lower cardiovascular deaths by 43% and lower the overall death rate by 42%.

Cytochrome oxidase (Complex 4) deficiency is a condition that can affect several parts of the body, including the muscles used for movement (skeletal muscles), the heart, the brain, or the liver. Cytochrome oxidase deficiency can lead to muscle weakness (myopathy), poor muscle tone (hypotonia), severe brain dysfunction (encephalomyopathy). Approximately one quarter of individuals with cytochrome oxidase deficiency have a type of heart disease that enlarges and weakens the heart muscle (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Another possible feature of this condition is an enlarged liver, which may lead to liver failure. Most individuals with cytochrome c oxidase deficiency have a buildup of a chemical called lactic acid in the body (lactic acidosis), which can cause nausea and an irregular heart rate, and can be life-threatening. Many people with cytochrome oxidase deficiency have a loss of mental function, movement problems, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, eating difficulties, and brain abnormalities. Cytochrome oxidase deficiency is frequently fatal in childhood.

(i) Two patients experiencing muscle problems following treatment with simvastatin (40 mg per day) and cyclosporin (patient 1) and simvastatin (40 mg per day) and itraconazole (patient 2).
(ii) Analysis of the two patients skeletal muscle revealed a decreased ubiquinone status (77 and 132; reference range: 140-580 pmol/mg) and decreased complex IV activity (0.006 and 0.007 reference range: 0.014-0.034).
(iii) To assess statin treatment in the absence of possible pharmacological interference from cyclosporin or itraconazole, primary astrocytes (cells from the central nervous system) were cultured with lovastatin.
(iv) Lovastatin treatment resulted in a decrease in ubiquinone (statin treatment 97.9 versus control 202.9 pmol/mg), and a decrease in complex IV activity (statin treatment 0.008 versus control: 0.011).

Duncan concludes: "These data, coupled with the patient findings, indicate a possible association between statin treatment, decreased ubiquinone status, and loss of complex IV activity".

Statins deplete levels of vitamin A, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10

This study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association 2002 Feb 6;287

(5):598-605

 

Study title and authors:

Effects of diet and simvastatin on serum lipids, insulin, and antioxidants in hypercholesterolemic men: a randomized controlled trial.

Jula A, Marniemi J, Huupponen R, Virtanen A, Rastas M, Rönnemaa T.

Research and Development Centre of the Social Insurance Institution, Peltolantie 3, FIN-20720 Turku, Finland. antti.jula@kela.memonet.fi

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11829698

This study investigated the effects of statins on men with cholesterol levels of at least 232 mg/dL (6.0 mmol/L). The study included 120 men, aged 35 to 64 years, who were randomly allocated to a habitual diet, or dietary treatment group, and each of these groups was further randomised to receive simvastatin or placebo, each for 12 weeks.

The study found:
(a) The alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) levels of men taking simvastatin decreased by 16.2%.
(b) The beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A) levels of men taking simvastatin decreased by 19.5%.
(c) The ubiquinol-10 (ubiquinol-10 is the active form of coenzyme Q10) levels of men taking simvastatin decreased by 22%.
(d) The insulin levels of men taking simvastatin increased by 13.2%. (High insulin levels are associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, cancer and polycystic ovarian syndrome).

Doctor says there is no evidence that statins are safe

This paper was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal May 6: 2008

Study title and author:
Statins - Safe?
Dr Herbert H. Nehrlich

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.cmaj.ca/content/178/5/576.abstract/reply#content-block

Dr Nehrlich, a doctor from Australia, discusses the effects of statin drugs.

(i) Statins reduce the body's production of mevalonate through the suppression of a liver enzyme called hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG) coenzyme A reductase.
(ii) This enzyme is crucial in enabling the body to synthesize such substances as cholesterol, Co-enzyme Q-10 etc., substances that are essential for every living cell.
(iii) So, if you reduce the supply of mevalonate, the liver can no longer keep up production of sufficient cholesterol and has to slow the shipping of cholesterol from the depot (liver) to the various areas in need of it via the bloodstream. Hence, blood cholesterol will be lower in lab tests.
(iv) Mevalonate is not just important in this respect but is heavily involved in muscle metabolism as well as in the production of thromboxane. Thromboxane, of course, is the agent responsible for the important stage in healing called clotting and originates in the platelets of our blood.
(v) Mitochondria are energy factories that MUST have coenzyme Q- 10, the very substance that is in short supply when people undergo statin treatment.
(vi) The dismal success record of statin treatment, combined with their sometimes atrocious side effects (identified and hidden) makes the prescription of statins in humans an assault with unknown and likely dire consequences.
(vii) People tend to die with low cholesterol blood levels.
(viii) May I ask for the studies that have shown that lowering cholesterol is reasonable and thus good practice? Statins are safe? Let us look at the PROSPER Trial and the all cause mortality. It is not improved by statins.
(ix) I prefer to see cholesterol as an extremely vital substance, essential for good health and indispensable when it comes to repair and maintenance of the body.
(x) Statins are now Big Pharma's golden goose and the price of gold is rising.
(xi) If we think of rhabdomyolysis, of transient global amnesia and of the propensity of statins to initiate cancer in many animals, if we consider the truly dismal success of statin treatment then we can skip looking at the plausibility of using these drugs altogether.
(xii) Statins are mayhem to Coenzyme Q-10 and it follows that statins may thus weaken the heart. They may cause cancer in humans.

Dr Nehrlich concludes: "There is no evidence that statins are safe".

Statins linked with mitochondrial dysfunction

This study was published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 1996 Sep;42(3):333-7

Study title and authors:
Lipid-lowering drugs and mitochondrial function: effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on serum ubiquinone and blood lactate/pyruvate ratio.

De Pinieux G, Chariot P, Ammi-Saïd M, Louarn F, Lejonc JL, Astier A, Jacotot B, Gherardi R.
Groupe de Recherche en Pathologie Neuromusculaire (ER 269), Faculté de Médecine de Créteil, Hôpital Henri Mondor, France.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8877024

Coenzyme Q10 is a substance that is found in almost every cell in the body and helps convert food into energy by the mitochondrial respiratory chain. It may also help with heart-related conditions, because it can improve energy production in cells, prevent blood clot formation, and act as an antioxidant.

Low levels of coenzyme Q10 may lead to mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a mechanism behind many metabolic, age-related, neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases or health conditions such as: aging, age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, atherosclerosis, autism, bipolar disorder, cancer, cataracts, chronic fatigue, endothelial dysfunction, diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy, endothelial dysfunction, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, hearing loss, heart failure, Huntington’s disease, hypertension, hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, major depressive disorder, male infertility, migraine, multiple sclerosis, myopathy (cardio and skeletal), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, panic disorder, Parkinson’s disease, psychosis, schizophrenia, sleep apnea, social phobia, stroke and type 2 diabetes. 

Mitochondrial cytopathies represent a group of multisystem disorders which affect the muscle and nervous systems see here.

Mitochondrial myopathies are a group of neuromuscular diseases caused by damage to the mitochondria. Nerve cells in the brain and muscles require a great deal of energy, and are particularly damaged when mitochondrial dysfunction occurs. Some of the more common mitochondrial myopathies include Kearns-Sayre syndrome, myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers, and mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes. The symptoms of mitochondrial myopathies include muscle weakness or exercise intolerance, heart failure or rhythm disturbances, dementia, movement disorders, stroke-like episodes, deafness, blindness, droopy eyelids, limited mobility of the eyes, vomiting, and seizures.

Elevated lactate/pyruvate ratios are associated with mitochondrial cytopathies and mitochondrial myopathies.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of cholesterol lowering drugs on coenzyme Q10 levels and on mitochondrial function assessed by the blood lactate/pyruvate ratio. This study included 80 patients, some of whom were treated with statins and 20 healthy control subjects.

The study found:
(a) Coenzyme Q10 levels were lower in statin-treated patients than in untreated patients.
(b) Lactate/pyruvate ratios were significantly higher in patients treated by statins than in untreated patients or healthy control subjects.

The results from the study show that statins are associated with low levels of coenzyme Q10 and a high blood blood lactate/pyruvate ratio which are linked with mitochondrial dysfunction.

Rhabdomyolysis induced by statins

This paper was published in Clinical Chemistry 1990 Dec;36(12):2145-7

Study title and authors:
Rhabdomyolysis secondary to lovastatin therapy.

Manoukian AA, Bhagavan NV, Hayashi T, Nestor TA, Rios C, Scottolini AG.
Department of Pathology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2253372

This paper reports a case of lovastatin (Mevacor)-induced rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown which may lead to kidney damage).

(i) A 59 year old woman was admitted to hospital with a two day history of shortness of breath and difficulty walking. She had been discharged from hospital two weeks earlier for congestive heart failure and, since discharge, had experienced progressive weight gain and swelling of the feet and ankles such that walking had become difficult.
(ii) For 13 days before admission to hospital she had been taking lovastatin, 20 mg orally twice a day.
(iii) On the second hospital day she complained of profound muscle weakness in her lower extremities which progressed over several hours to include the upper extremities. In addition she could no longer walk because of severe pain.
(iv) Creatine kinase levels increased from 157 U/L two weeks before admission to 176,500 U/L on the twelfth hospital day. (High creatine kinase levels are a marker for rhabdomyolysis).
(v) The patient's symptoms and creatine kinase levels resolved after discontinuation of the statin drug.

As well as inhibiting the body from producing cholesterol, statins also repress the production of several other biologically essential compounds such as coenzyme Q10 and heme A which are important components in the system of mitochondrial energy production.

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell. They are tiny cellular organelles that take in nutrients, break them down, and create energy for the cells.

Dr Manoukian speculates that the rhabdomyolysis was due to statin-induced mitochondrial damage secondary to inadequate synthesis of coenzyme Q10 and heme A.

Even brief exposure to statins causes muscle damage

This post includes a synopsis of a study published in the Archives of Neurology 2004 Jun;61(6):889-92

Study title and authors:
Atorvastatin decreases the coenzyme Q10 level in the blood of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Rundek T, Naini A, Sacco R, Coates K, DiMauro S.
Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15210526

Books:

Rundek notes there have been various adverse effects of statin drugs, including problems commonly affecting muscle and ranging from muscle pain to the rapid destruction of skeletal muscle which can then cause kidney failure (rhabdomyolysis). These adverse effects may be due to a coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) deficiency because inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis also inhibits the synthesis of CoQ(10).

The objective of the study was to measure CoQ(10) levels in blood from subjects with high cholesterol levels before and after exposure to atorvastatin at 14 and 30 days.

 
The study found:
(a) Coenzyme Q(10) levels dropped by 51% after 30 days of statin thearpy.
(b) A significant decrease was already detectable after 14 days of treatment.
 
To conclude: Even brief exposure to statins causes a marked decrease in blood CoQ(10) concentration. Widespread inhibition of CoQ(10) synthesis could explain the most commonly reported adverse effects of statins, especially exercise intolerance, muscle pain, and rhabdomyolysis.

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall


Statins put patients at risk from depression and chronic fatigue syndrome

This post includes a summary of a paper published in Neuroendocrinology Letters 2009;30(4):462-9

Books:

Study title and authors:

Lower plasma Coenzyme Q10 in depression: a marker for treatment resistance and chronic fatigue in depression and a risk factor to cardiovascular disorder in that illness.

Maes M, Mihaylova I, Kubera M, Uytterhoeven M, Vrydags N, Bosmans E.

Maes Clinics, Antwerp, Belgium. crc.mh@telenet.be

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20010493

The researchers note how there is now evidence that major depression is accompanied by an induction of inflammatory and oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways and by a lowered antioxidant status. Coenzyme Q10 is a strong antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory effects.

This study examines the relationship between coenzyme Q10 levels, treatment resistant depression and chronic fatigue syndrome. The study included 35 depressed patients and 22 normal volunteers.

The study found:
(a) Coenzyme Q10 levels were significantly lower in depressed patients than in normal volunteers.
(b) Coenzyme Q10 levels were significantly lower in patients with treatment resistant depression and with chronic fatigue syndrome than in the other depressed patients.

The results show that lower coenzyme Q10 levels plays a role in depression and in particular in treatment resistant depression and with chronic fatigue accompanying depression.

The researchers note that the findings that lower coenzyme Q10 levels are a risk factor to coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure and mortality due to chronic heart failure suggest that low coenzyme Q10 levels are another factor explaining the risk to cardiovascular disorder in depression.

They conclude: "Since statins significantly lower plasma coenzyme Q10, depressed patients and in particular those with treatment resistant depression and with chronic fatigue syndrome represent populations at risk to statin treatment".

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall

Statins induce heart failure

This post features an article by Peter H. Langsjoen, MD and a recipe for shish kababs.

STATIN-INDUCED CARDIOMYOPATHY

By Peter H. Langsjoen, MD

Dr Langsjoen has a paper on the FDA website about statins reducing serum levels of CoQ10.

This article can be accessed at: http://healthread.net/statincardiomyop.htm

Books:

Statins kill people - lots of people - and they wound many, many more. All patients taking statins become depleted in Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), eventually - those patients who start with a relatively low CoQ10 levels (the elderly and patients with heart failure) begin to manifest signs/symptoms of CoQ10 deficiency relatively rapidly - in 6 to 12 months. Younger, healthier people who's only "illness" is the non-illness "hypercholesterolemia" can tolerate statins for several years before getting into trouble with fatigue, muscle weakness and soreness (usually with normal muscle enzyme CPK tests) and most ominously - heart failure.

In my practice of 17 years in Tyler, Texas, I have seen a frightening increase in heart failure secondary to statin usage, "statin cardiomyopathy". Over the past five years, statins have become more potent, are being prescribed in higher doses, and are being used with reckless abandon in the elderly and in patients with "normal" cholesterol levels. We are in the midst of a CHF epidemic in the US with a dramatic increase over the past decade. Are we causing this epidemic through our zealous use of statins? In large part I think the answer is yes. We are now in a position to witness the unfolding of the greatest medical tragedy of all time - never before in history has the medical establishment knowingly (Merck & Co., Inc. has two 1990 patents combining CoQ10 with statins to prevent CoQ10 depletion and attendant side effects) created a life threatening nutrient deficiency in millions of otherwise healthy people, only to then sit back with arrogance and horrific irresponsibility and watch to see what happens - as I see two to three new statin cardiomyopathies per week in my practice, I cannot help but view my once great profession with a mixture of sorrow and contempt.

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Recipe of the day

Food Mall: Ground Lamb

Shish Kababs

Ingredients:

500 g Ground lamb

2 tbsp Coriander, finely chopped

2 Onion, finely chopped
1 tsp Turmeric
1 tsp Salt and pepper
Onion and green coriander for garnishing chopped

Method:
Mix all the ingredients together, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Roll the mixture in to thin sausage shapes and cook under a preheated moderate grill for about 10 minutes, turning several times.

Serve garnished with green coriander and onion crushed.

Statin treatment may lead to heart failure

This post includes a synopsis of a paper published in Biofactors 2003;18(1-4):101-11

Study title and authors:
The clinical use of HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors and the associated depletion of coenzyme Q10. A review of animal and human publications.
Langsjoen PH, Langsjoen AM.
East Texas Medical Center and Trinity Mother Francis Health System, Tyler, TX 75701, USA. langsjoen@compuserve.com

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14695925

The author of this paper, Dr. Peter Langsjoen is a specialist in Coenzyme Q10 and cardiology. Dr Langsjoen has authored many papers outlining Coenzyme Q10 deficiency as a factor in heart disease. Dr Langsjoen's papers have demonstrated the association of advanced congestive heart failure with low blood levels of Coenzyme Q10 and shown, unequivocally, that replenishing Coenzyme Q10 dramatically helps the failing heart.

In this review of the scientific literature, Dr Langsjoen found:
(a) The depletion of the essential nutrient Coenzyme Q10 by the increasingly popular cholesterol lowering drugs, statins, has grown from a level of concern to one of alarm.
(b) With ever higher statin potencies and dosages, and with a steadily shrinking target levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the prevalence and severity of Coenzyme Q10 deficiency is increasing noticeably.
(c) Statin-induced Coenzyme Q10 depletion is well documented in animal and human studies with detrimental cardiac consequences in both animal models and human trials.
(d) This drug-induced nutrient deficiency is dose related and more notable in settings of pre-existing Coenzyme Q10 deficiency such as in the elderly and in heart failure.

Dr Langsjoen's review reveals that statins cause a deficiency in Coenzyme Q10 levels, and that low Coenzyme Q10 levels are associated with increased rates of heart failure.

Dr Langsjoen concludes: "We are currently in the midst of a congestive heart failure epidemic in the United States.....As physicians, it is our duty to be absolutely certain that we are not inadvertently doing harm to our patients by creating a wide-spread deficiency of a nutrient critically important for normal heart function".

Decrease of Coenzyme Q10 during treatment with statins

This post includes a summary of a paper published in Molecular Aspects of Medicine 1997;18 Suppl:S137-44

Books:

Study title and authors:

Dose-related decrease of serum coenzyme Q10 during treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Mortensen SA, Leth A, Agner E, Rohde M.

Department of Medicine B, National University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9266515

Mortensen notes that coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) is an antioxidant, a molecule that is essential in the chemical reactions of the mitochondria (for energy production) and may help to prevent clogged arteries.

This randomised in a double-blind trial investigated the effect of statin drugs on coenzyme Q10 levels. The trial included 45 patients with "high" cholesterol who were treated with increasing dosages of either lovastatin (20-80 mg per day) or pravastatin (10-40 mg per day) over a period of 18 weeks.

The study found after 18 weeks of statin therapy:
(a) The coenzyme Q10 levels of patients taking lovastatin decreased by 29%.
(b) The coenzyme Q10 levels of patients taking pravastatin decreased by 20%.

Mortensen concludes that: "continued vigilance of a possible adverse consequence from coenzyme Q10 lowering seems important during long-term (statin) therapy".

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Statins, lack of energy and ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10)

This post includes a summary of a study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2005 May; 59(5): 606–607

Books:

Study title and author:

Statins, lack of energy and ubiquinone

Marcus M Reidenberg

Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1884835/

Reidenberg notes how the painful or tender muscle disease with elevated creatine phosphokinase levels due to statin drugs is well described. Statin muscle disease can also occur without elevated creatine phosphokinase levels or pain. More common is a feeling of lack of energy in people taking these drugs. Since statins block mevalonate synthesis, they lower levels of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10), an essential compound for mitochondrial energy production. Thus, these people may truly lack energy.

Reidenberg reports:
(i) A randomized double-blind trial comparing 35 mg coenzyme Q10 with placebo bid was initiated for patients on statins who felt lack of pep or energy since starting the statins and who did not have muscle pain, tenderness, or elevated creatine phosphokinase.
(ii) By the time this trial started, most patients with these symptoms either stopped the statin or started coenzyme Q10 on their own, thus only three subjects were accrued in 1.5 years and the trial was stopped.
(iii) The three subjects ages were 68, 69, and 75. Their coenzyme Q10 levels prior to the coenzyme Q10 suplementation were 0.40, 0.35, and 0.36 µg ml⁻¹ (normal values are 0.69 - 1.06).
(iv) Two subjects received placebo and one received coenzyme Q10.
(v) After two weeks, subjects were asked how they felt. Both subjects taking placebo felt unchanged during the treatment period. The patient receiving coenzyme Q10 stated that several days after starting the study drug, she felt more energetic and could now walk 20 (short New York City) blocks instead of the two blocks that tired her before.
(vi)  One of the placebo patients was given coenzyme Q10 for an additional  two week period. After two weeks, he claimed that he had more energy climbing stairs and was less tired than before.
(vii) Statins lower levels of coenzyme Q10 and our subjects had levels below normal values.
(viii) Statins decrease mitochondrial activity.
(ix) Preliminary data suggests that coenzyme Q10 may reverse the age-related change in skeletal muscle fibre composition.

Reidenberg concludes: "Whether the level of fatigue and feeling of lack of energy in some people taking statins is related to skeletal muscle effects of these drugs is unknown. The results of this abbreviated randomized double-blind trial suggest it may be due to decreased ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) levels due to effective statin inhibition of mevalonate synthesis. This would be an unintended adverse effect of the intended pharmacological action of the statin. People taking statins who describe lack of pep or energy may really lack energy because of a deficiency of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10)".

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Statins reduce Coenzyme Q10 by 40% and may cause cellular damage

This post includes a summary of a paper published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 1993 Mar;33(3):226-9 and a recipe for pizza bites.

Books:

Study title and authors:

Evidence of plasma CoQ10-lowering effect by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Ghirlanda G, Oradei A, Manto A, Lippa S, Uccioli L, Caputo S, Greco AV, Littarru GP.

Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University Medical School, Rome, Italy.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8463436

Concurrent to reducing cholesterol levels stain drugs also reduce the biosynthesis of the important nutrient ubiquinone (Coenzme Q10).

This study investigated the effects of statins on Coenzme Q10 levels. Firstly, two groups of five healthy volunteers treated with 20 mg per day of pravastatin  or simvastatin for a month. Then in a double-blind controlled study 30 patients with "high" cholesterol were given either pravastatin, simvastatin (20 mg per day), or placebo for three months.

The study found:
(a) In the healthy volunteer group cholesterol levels and Coenzme Q10 levels underwent about a 40% reduction after the statin treatment.
(b) The same extent of reduction, compared with placebo was measured in the "high" cholesterol patients treated with pravastatin or simvastatin.

The data show that the treatment with statins lowers both cholesterol and Coenzme Q10 levels in normal volunteers and in patients with "high" cholesterol.

The authors of the study, based at the Catholic University Medical School in Rome, concluded: "Coenzme Q10 is essential for the production of energy and also has antioxidative properties. A diminution of Coenzme Q10 availability may be the cause of membrane alteration with consequent cellular damage".

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Recipe of the day

Pizza Bites

Ingredients:

◦5-7 oz. (about 20-30 pieces) large, preservative-free pepperoni

Food Mall: Nitrate Free Pepperoni

◦pizza sauce

◦grated cheese, optional

For Supreme
◦black olives
◦bell peppers
◦mushrooms
◦green onions

For Hawaiian
◦deli ham
◦fresh pineapple

Method:
Get your oven to 400ºF. Lay the slices of pepperoni on a baking sheet and put them in the oven, on the middle rack, to get them crispy–about 8 minutes, flipping them over once. Start prepping your toppings while the peps are in the oven.

The pre-bake step of the pepperoni is super important if you want a crispy pepperoni “crust”. Once you top the pepperonis they just don’t crisp up much…

Once they come out of the oven, place a spoonful of pizza sauce on each pepperoni slice and top with your ingredients.

Place the baking sheet back in the oven and let the toppings get warm and melty, anywhere from 5-10 minutes.

NOTE: All the toppings should be sliced, chopped, and/or diced super, super small/thin. Since you’re making little petite pizzas and they’re only getting a few minutes of oven time, you want make sure they get enough heat to get them cooked through.

Statin treatment lowers the energy producing nutrient coenzyme Q10

This post includes a summary of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Pathology 1993 Nov;46(11):1055-7 and a recipe for Thai hot and sour shrimp soup.

Study title and authors:

Books:

Plasma coenzyme Q (ubiquinone) concentrations in patients treated with simvastatin.

Watts GF, Castelluccio C, Rice-Evans C, Taub NA, Baum H, Quinn PJ.

Department of Endocrinology and Chemical Pathology and Public Health Medicine (UMDS), St Thomas's Hospital, London.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8254097

Watts notes that coenzyme Q10 is essential for mitochondrial function (energy production) and antioxidant activity.

This study assessed the effects of statin treatment on coenzyme Q10 levels. The study included:
(i) 20 patients with "high" cholesterol treated with a low-fat diet and simvastatin.
(ii) 22 patients with "high" cholesterol treated with a low-fat diet alone.
(iii) 20 normal controls. (Normal diet).

The study found:
(a) Patients treated with simvastatin had a significantly lower coenzyme Q10 levels than either patients receiving diet alone or normal controls.
(b) The higher the dose of simvastatin, the lower the coenzyme Q10 levels.

Watts concludes: "We suggest that a reduction in plasma coenzyme Q10 may underpin some of the severe side-effects of statins... a reduction in coenzyme Q10 may also compromise the course of coronary atherosclerosis... we recommend that consideration be given to measuring plasma coenzyme Q10 in patients receiving statins and particularly in those with clinically important cardiac disease".

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Recipe of the day

Thai Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
Shells from shrimp (see below)
8 cups chicken stock
3 stalks lemon grass, cut into 1" lengths
4 kaffir lime leaves
1 teaspoon lime zest
2 green Serrano chiles, slivered
2 pounds fresh shrimp, approximately 20 count per pound, shelled and deveined

Food Mall: Deveined Shrimp

1 tablespoon coconut milk

1/2 teaspoon salt
juice of 2 limes
1 red Serrano chili, slivered
2 tablespoons coriander leaves (cilantro), coarsely chopped
3 green onions (including some green), coarsely chopped

Instructions:
Heat the oil in a saucepan and fry the shells until they turn pink.

Add the chicken stock, lemon grass, lime leaves, lime rind,and green chilis.

Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Strain the mixture through a sieve, return the liquid to a saucepan and bring to a boil.

Add the shrimp to this boiling "stock" and cook them for 2-3 minutes.

Reduce heat to simmer and add the coconut milk, salt and lime juice. Stir and immediately remove from heat to prevent overcooking.

Pour the soup in a tureen or ladle into bowls, sprinkle with red chilis, coriander leaves and green onions.

Serve piping-hot.

Statins associated with causing muscle pain by inhibiting the synthesis of coenzyme Q10

Published in The American Journal of Cardiology Volume 99, Issue 10, 15 May 2007, Pages 1409-1412

Study title and authors: 
Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Myopathic Symptoms in Patients Treated With Statins

Giuseppe Caso MD, MSc, PhD, Patricia Kelly DO, Margaret A. McNurlan PhD and William E. Lawson MD

Books:

Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17493470

Caso notes that statin use is often associated with a variety of muscle-related pain (myopathies). Myopathy may be related in part to statin inhibition of the synthesis of coenzyme Q10, an essential cofactor for mitochondrial energy production.

The aim of this study is to determine whether coenzyme Q10 would reduce the degree of muscle pain associated with statin treatment. Patients with myopathic symptoms were randomly assigned (for 30 days) in a double-blinded protocol to treatment with either:
(i) Coenzyme Q10 (100 mg per day, 18 patients)
(ii) Vitamin E (400 IU per day, 14 patients).

The study found:
(a) Pain severity decreased by 40% and pain interference with daily activities decreased by 38% in the group treated with coenzyme Q10.
(b) In contrast, no changes in pain severity or pain interference with daily activities was observed in the group treated with vitamin E.

The results of the study suggest that statin treatment is associated with muscle pain by inhibiting the synthesis of coenzyme Q10. 

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Recipe of the day

Irish lamb stew

Ingredients:
1-2 pounds lamb, cut up
3-4 yellow onions, cut into 1/2" pieces

Food Mall: Lamb

6-8 carrots, cut into 1/2" slices

3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
1-2 bay leaves
1/2-1 t. dried tarragon
1/2-1 t. ground black pepper

Instructions:
Combine the above ingredients in a crockpot with enough water to barely cover.

Cook overnight on low (slower cooking lets the veggies flavor through without getting mushy).

Allow to cool in order to easily remove the excess fat, the bones, and the bay leaves.

Reheat to serve.

Statins reduce Coenzyme Q10 by 25%

This post includes a summary of a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 1994;46(4):313-7

Study title and authors:

Books:

Serum ubiquinone concentrations after short- and long-term treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

Laaksonen R, Ojala JP, Tikkanen MJ, Himberg JJ.
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Helsinki, Finland.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7957515

This study analysed the effect of long- and short-term statin treatment on the levels of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10). The study included 17 men with "high" cholesterol who had their coenzyme Q10 levels were measured:
(i) After they had received simvastatin (20-40 mg per day) for 4.7 years.
(ii) After a 4 week treatment pause.
(iii) Again after they had resumed treatment with lovastatin (20-40 mg per day) for 12 weeks.

The study found:
(a) During the statin treatment pause the average coenzyme Q10 levels increased by 32%.
(b) Resumption of statin treatment caused a reduction of 25% in coenzyme Q10 levels.

Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient that every cell in the body must have in order to produce energy. See here and here

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall