The Importance of Co-enzyme Q10 Supplementation for Patients Taking HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, commonly known as statins, are a widely prescribed class of drugs that help lower cholesterol levels in the blood. By inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, statins can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. However, statins can also deplete the levels of Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the body, which may contribute to some of the side effects associated with statin use, such as muscle pain and weakness. CoQ10 is a vitamin-like substance that is involved in the production of energy within cells, as well as acting as an antioxidant to protect cells from damage. CoQ10 is also involved in the metabolism of statins, and it has been suggested that the depletion of CoQ10 may contribute to some of the side effects associated with statin use, such as muscle pain and weakness. The importance of CoQ10 supplementation for patients taking statins cannot be overstated. While statins are effective a...