|  | Conditions Treatments | Cholesterol

Benefits of Coenzyme Q-10 & Statins

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble antioxidant, similar to a vitamin, found in the mitochondria in human cells. Statins are a cholesterol-lowering class of drugs with a reported side effect of depleting the body’s stores of CoQ10.

  1. Function

    • According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), CoQ10 aids the cell in making adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Cells use ATP as a source of energy, and ATP is involved in producing protein and muscle contraction.

    Benefits of Statins

    • Doctors prescribe statins to lower cholesterol. Statins may have other benefits as well, including reducing the risk for heart attack or stroke in some individuals. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), statins are only one option for treatment of high cholesterol, and individuals should consult a medical professional to help them make good decisions about what is right for them.

    Benefit of Coenzyme Q10 with Statins

    • The benefit of taking CoQ10 while taking statins is that CoQ10 supplements may treat some of the muscle-related side effects of statins, which include muscle pain and muscle damage in some individuals.

    Prevention/Solution

    • An NIH report states CoQ10 supplements are believed to be effective in restoring the body’s CoQ10 levels and are considered safe for most adults. However, they are not always appropriate in certain situations, and interactions with other drugs are possible.

    Expert Insight

    • The best source of information about statins and CoQ10 is a medical professional. Seek your physician’s advice before taking any supplements.

Cholesterol - Related Articles