**Ubiquinol Supplements and Statin Drugs**
Statin drugs, like Pravachol, Mevacor, Zocor, and Lipitor, are commonly used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attacks. These medications work by inhibiting the body’s internal production of cholesterol.
**Side Effects of Statins**
However, statins can cause side effects such as constipation, muscle pain and weakness, memory issues, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle density, nausea, elevated liver enzymes, nerve damage, and reduced levels of Ubiquinol.
**What is Ubiquinol?**
Ubiquinol is the active form of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an enzyme found naturally in our cells. Factors like aging, health conditions, and medication use can deplete Ubiquinol levels. Taking Ubiquinol supplements can help counteract this depletion. Studies show that Ubiquinol is better absorbed than regular CoQ10 and can effectively restore normal CoQ10 levels in the blood. For instance, people taking 150-300mg of Ubiquinol daily have shown a fourfold increase in their Ubiquinol levels.
**Why Ubiquinol Matters**
Ubiquinol is crucial for heart health and overall cardiovascular well-being. When CoQ10 and Ubiquinol levels drop, the body’s energy production and other vital functions suffer. Long-term statin use can lead to low CoQ10 levels, resulting in weakened heart muscles and muscle pain, known as cardiomyalgia.
Ubiquinol is also a primary antioxidant that protects LDL (bad) cholesterol from oxidation, which can lead to atherosclerosis. Lower Ubiquinol levels, often due to statin use, can make LDL cholesterol more susceptible to oxidation.
**Impact of Statins on Ubiquinol Production**
Statins inhibit CoQ10 production because they block the same biological pathway used to lower cholesterol. This is where Ubiquinol supplements come in, providing the body with a steady Ubiquinol supply to counteract the side effects of statins. Instead of relying on compromised internal production, your body can use these external supplements.
**Combining Ubiquinol with Statins**
Research suggests that taking Ubiquinol supplements alongside statins can restore the body’s Ubiquinol levels and alleviate side effects such as muscle pain. Importantly, Ubiquinol supplements do not interfere with the effectiveness of statins. Therefore, combining both can be beneficial, as you’ll reap the cholesterol-lowering benefits of statins while maintaining healthy CoQ10 levels with Ubiquinol supplements.