Running Motivation

Currently45 million Americans and millions more across the globe are currently taking cholesterol lowering drugs. Most don't know about the dangerous and preventable side effects these medications, also known as statin drugs, are associated with, in particular, damaging heart muscle function, the increased risk of developing diabetes, cognitive decline, and memory loss. These drugs also cause muscle damage, weakness and a breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream.

These drugs are very toxic because they halt the cells from producing a key vitamin, CoQ10, which is the primary cause of the side effects. Relatively low doses of statin drugs such as Lipitor and Zocor effectively reduce plasma cholesterol levels. These drugs function by stopping an enzyme that is key to cholesterol production. A part of the cholesterol pathway in animal cells leads to the formation of CoQ10. Also, high levels of statin drugs can reduce CoQ10 in the liver and lowers CoQ10 at doses prescribed by physicians.

Tragically, most doctors are not informed about the cause of these complications, and could recommend taking CoQ10 supplements to their patients when prescribing this category of drugs. A patent even exists on the drug and CoQ10 combination, since but never released it. Merck& Co., in 1989, makers of lovastatin was awarded patent #4,933,165.

The patent notes that Coenzyme Q10 is a component in the respiratory chain and is present in every cell having mitochondria. It is thus an essential co-factor in the generation of metabolic energy and is particularly critical in muscle function.

Researchers, have measured the levels of Coenzyme Q10 in heart tissue biopsy samples taken from patients with varying stages of damage to the heart muscle. These researchers observed decreasing tissue levels of CoQ10 with increasing severity of the symptoms of cardiac disease. Unfortunately, the FDA doesn't warn consumers of this dangerous and reversible side effect.There are no official warnings in the U.S. regarding CoQ10.

Compared to the U.S., Canadian law requires labeling and clearly warns of CoQ10 depletion and even notes that this nutrient deficiency "could lead to impaired cardiac function in patients with borderline congestive heart failure."