Running in circles

Dear Reader, It's bad enough that statin drugs are considered the standard of care for a clinical problem with a long list of safe natural solutions. They also contribute to the very problem they're meant to treat (to say nothing of all the other problems they cause) by robbing your body of its own source of natural heart protection. In case you haven't guessed, I'm referring to the nutrient coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Research shows that supplementing with CoQ10 can cut artery-clogging LDL oxidation and reduce risk of stroke and heart attack. And I'm talking actual human trials, here. But I have to ask: How many of your conventional medical doctors have ever recommended you take CoQ10? I'm going to guess not many. In fact, they're much more likely to prescribe you statin drugs...and call that a "solution." This backward thinking comes with consequences. Obviously. As I mentioned, statins actually decrease CoQ10 formation in your body and lower levels of this important nutrient in your muscles' power centers. And scientists think that this also causes one of their biggest side effects: statin-associated muscle pain (myalgia). And unfortunately, there are a lot of people on statin drugs. Which means that a whole lot of people are also suffering from needless muscle pain because of it. If the statistics are to be believed, roughly ten percent of all statin patients suffer from myalgia. And you're more likely to suffer from this side effect if you: Take a high dose of the drug Take interacting medications Have a small body frame Have surgery Have an infection Engage in physical exertion Are elderly Are female Have impaired kidneys Have an impaired liver Have high blood pressure Have diabetes Have high triglycerides Have a slow thyroid Have genetic muscle or mitochondrial problems I probably missed a few risk factors. But I think you see my point. Keep reading... Statin myalgia isn't exactly a minor side effect. And it certainly isn't rare. But wouldn't you know? The answer may be as simple as replacing the CoQ10 that statin drugs drain from your body. In fact, one study showed a highly significant decrease in pain scores among statin patients taking just 100 mg of CoQ10 per day. I should point out that this is a sub-therapeutic dose for those with heart disease. God forbid we accidentally prove that a safe natural supplement can erase the need for statins altogether. But I digress. After just 30 days, the CoQ10 group had a 38 percent reduction in "pain interfering with daily activities." And a 40 percent reduction in pain intensity. So there you have it. CoQ10 can help to treat statin myalgia. Which is great... assuming you believe Big Pharma's claim that you need a statin in the first place. What's even more interesting is that researchers aren't just evaluating CoQ10's benefits against this particular side effect. They're also looking at carnitine, vitamin B12, and vitamin D as potential cures. Usually, I'm excited about any use of nutritional supplementation in mainstream medicine. I want to see trials proving that these nutrients stand on their own--that they have a real place in modern medicine and that they could be the answer to rising healthcare costs we've been searching for. But I have to admit, I'm just worried. Mostly because this research is being bankrolled simply so that patients don't decrease or stop their medications. Ironic, isn't it? But I guess we have to start somewhere. Until next time, Dr. Fred