Concerned about myopathy from statins? You should be.

If you’re taking a statin like atorvastatin, pravastatin, and others, you have heard that these drugs can cause muscle pain and

Do these hurt? Could it be your statin?

inflammation, or myopathy.

But is this actually true?

There is no question that statin use is associated with myopathies. For example, the Cleveland Clinic refers to myopathy from statins as a “common dilemma.” In fact, this relationship is associated at the molecular and genetic level. Some researchers (PDF) suggest that up to 5% of statin patients may be experiencing statin-induced myopathy.

Now 5% may not sound like a huge number, but when you consider that millions of Americans use statins to reduce their cholesterol, you can begin to understand the magnitude of this problem.

So it’s a definite problem, and any symptoms of muscle pain should be discussed with your physician.

Can CoQ10 supplements help?

We’ve discussed the many benefits of taking CoQ10, especially if you’re on a statin. Briefly, coenzyme Q 10 can help counter the tiredness and fatigue that statins may cause.

But can CoQ10 prevent or reverse myopathy?

It’s not clear. Some clinical studies suggest that coenzyme q 10 can help prevent or reduce the muscle pain caused by statins. However, other studies are not as clear.

Our general recommendation is that anyone who is taking a statin should also be taking a high-quality coenzyme q 10 supplement. Just make sure it has the technology needed to get this vitamin into your system where it can actually do some good.

Related articles

• CoQ10 and Statins: How much should I take?
• Can CoQ10 help even if you’re not taking a statin?
• New Video: CoQ10 and Statins

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New Video: CoQ10 and Statins

We’ve posted a new video on our site which discusses the relationship between Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10 and cholesterol-lowering statins.

Have you ever wondered if these wonder drugs cause tiredness and fatigue?

Not only do statins cause tiredness, but the way in which they do it is very well understood.

Coenzyme Q 10 supplements are a great way to combat this side effect.

In fact, doctors in many other countries, such as Canada and Japan, are insisting that their patients who are on statins for their cholesterol should also take a CoQ10 supplement.

But which CoQ10 supplement should one take?

In the video, we explain the link between statins and fatigue.

Plus, we offer a recommendation for dealing with this problem.

This stuff makes you tired. Find out why. 

Related articles

• Can CoQ10 help even if you’re not taking a statin?
• Our Coenzyme Q 10 is expensive. Here’s why.

Our Coenzyme Q 10 is expensive. Here’s why.

Let’s cut to the chase…our Ubiquinol QH brand of coenzyme Q 10 seems expensive. (It really isn’t. But more on this later). 

So why should you spend more on our brand and not on one-off the shelf at a supermarket or a discount store? 

Simple. It’s got to get into your system for it to work.

Coenzyme q 10 is a tricky substance to work with. You can’t simply pack it into a capsule and expect it to be absorbed into your system. It needs help. Some recommend taking it with a fatty meal, but if you have high cholesterol, should you really be eating fatty meals?

I don’t think so. 

Our Ubiquinol-QH contains coenzyme Q 10 formulated with VesiSorb, a special technology which helps get molecules like coenzyme Q 10 across the intestinal wall and into the circulation, where it can provide the benefit. 

The cheap-o brands that you can buy by the thousand don’t have this type of technology. So while you may have saved

Not the place to buy your supplements…

a little money, that brand may not help because the coenzyme q 10 is not getting into your system! 

So is it expensive? Not really. 

A bottle of 60 capsules costs $1.43 per capsule. Since you only need to take one capsule per day, that’s less than a cup of coffee every day!

The once per day is very important. Since VesiSorb helps get a lot of coenzyme Q 10 into your system, you can get away with taking only one capsule every day! 

So, paying $1 per day or less may seem like a bargain, but it might not be if that brand is not getting the coenzyme Q 10 that you need into your system. 

Let’s put this another way. Buying paper towels in bulk is fine, but not the supplements you need to stay healthy. 

Related articles

• Mayo Clinic gives Coenzyme Q 10 and “A”
• CoQ10: You get what you pay for
• Can Statins Cause Energy Loss?

Fish Oil Products: 30% may have problems

 

A review last week (subscription required) from ConsumerLab.com  found that up to 30% of fish oil supplements reviewed had various problems.

Some of the problems found included contamination, lack of product freshness, inaccurate labeling, and a lack of enteric coating when one claimed on the label:

 

Among the 35 products that ConsumerLab.com selected for review, only 24 passed quality testing, meeting requirements for freshness and purity, and containing their claimed amounts omega-3 fatty acids, and with any enteric coatings performing properly…

 

 

 

For legal reasons, we cannot post the brands that did not pass ConsumerLab.com testing. We will note that some of the brands that did not pass testing are very well-known brands. 

The key lesson, in our view, is that buying high-quality fish oil supplements at low cost is a difficult exercise. 

Interestingly, the report noted a few brands which have “Extremely High” concentrations of EPA/DHA, which are comparable to prescription fish oil products for heart disease. We also carry a brand which provides this benefit.

If you are interested in Fish Oil products, check out our informational page here.

 

Related articles

• More evidence that fish oil improves memory
• Feeling Fishy? Benefits of Fish Oil
• Hook on to fish oil to cure most ailments: study
• Hooray for Vascepa!