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Lipitor and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Listen to Dr. Z

 

• If you are taking Lipitor or any other statin drugs, please, please, I urge you to take note of the following.
• If you know someone who is on Lipitor or any other statin drugs, please, please, bring the following to his or her attention.

On Tuesday, December 30, 2008, I read in our local newspaper, The Union, the following letter to Dr. Gott, a syndicated columnist in the health field:

Quote:
Dear Dr. Gott: I was recently put Lipitor for high cholesterol. I developed awful leg cramps. My doctor reduced the dose, so I take one pill every other day. My pain has decreased in frequency but hasn't disappeared. Would you associate the pain with the medication? The leg pain was tied to my sciatic nerve.

Dr. Gott's answer:
Lipitor has been connected with severe leg cramps and pain that can appear anywhere in the body, but most commonly in the calf muscles, which are used so often.

CoQ10 is a naturally occurring enzyme in the body. Reports have revealed a deficiency of more than 50% in less than a month by patients on Lipitor. The deficiency causes pain. Purchase CoQ10 over-the-counter and continue to reduce the dose of Lipitor. Bring my recommendation to your physician's attention for an opinion.
End of quote.

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Dr. Z.'s comments

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CoQ10, also known as coenzyme Q10, is naturally synthesized in all cells of your body.
CoQ10 is absolutely essential for a healthy life.

Here is why:

Why do we need CoQ10?

Let us go back to some very basic principles.

• Do you ever ask yourself : why do I eat?
  Well, I eat food because I need energy to function. Without food I will waste away and eventually, after weeks or even months, I will die.

• You ever ask yourself: Why do I breathe?
  Well, I breathe because I need oxygen to live. Without oxygen I cannot live at all. I will die within minutes.

On the cellular level the same holds true.

Each cell in our body needs energy to function. How does the cell produce energy?

• Each cell requires balanced blood sugar/food (glucose) and oxygen to make cell energy, also called ATP.
• Each cell requires a third factor to make cell energy: CoQ10

CoQ10 is the cofactor, the coenzyme, that connects glucose with oxygen in order to produce cell energy ATP.

CoQ10 is manufactured, synthesized, inside each cell.

To put it very simply:

• Without balanced blood sugar the cells cannot function properly.
• With low blood sugar/hypoglycemia the cells literally starve.
• With high blood sugar/diabetes the cells literally drown in sugar.

• Without adequate oxygen the cells suffocate, they cannot utilize the glucose.
• Without adequate CoQ10 levels the cells cannot produce energy, they cannot do their job.
  

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Lipitor, statin drugs and coenzyme Q10

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It is well-established that statin drugs such as Lipitor not only inhibit the biosynthesis of cholesterol but also that of CoQ10.

This is a huge problem.

Here is a short quote from the 2007 PDR - Physician's Desk Reference - of observed Lipitor side effects:

Quote
Body as a Whole: Chest pain, face edema, fever, neck rigidity, malaise, photosensitivity reaction, generalized edema.

Digestive System: Nausea, gastroenteritis, liver function tests abnormal, colitis, vomiting, gastritis, dry mouth, rectal hemorrhage, esophagitis, eructation, glossitis, mouth ulceration, anorexia, increased appetite, stomatitis, biliary pain, cheilitis, duodenal ulcer, dysphagia, enteritis, melena, gum hemorrhage, stomach ulcer, tenesmus, ulcerative stomatitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholestatic jaundice.

Respiratory System: Bronchitis, rhinitis, pneumonia, dyspnea, asthma, epistaxis.

Nervous System: Insomnia, dizziness, paresthesia, somnolence, amnesia, abnormal dreams, libido decreased, emotional lability, incoordination, peripheral neuropathy, torticollis, facial paralysis, hyperkinesia, depression, hypesthesia, hypertonia.

Musculoskeletal System: Arthritis, leg cramps, bursitis, tenosynovitis, myasthenia, tendinous contracture, myositis.

Skin and Appendages: Pruritus, contact dermatitis, alopecia, dry skin, sweating, acne, urticaria, eczema, seborrhea, skin ulcer.....................
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Special Senses: Amblyopia, tinnitus, dry eyes, refraction disorder, eye hemorrhage, deafness, glaucoma, parosmia, taste loss, taste perversion.

Cardiovascular System: Palpitation, vasodilatation, syncope, migraine, postural hypotension, phlebitis, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, hypertension........

End of quote

This list of side effects goes on and on. It appears that any symptom under the sun as possible.

You may now begin to understand and appreciate why the depletion of CoQ10 can and will affect all aspects of our physical and mental/emotional life.

Without adequate levels of CoQ10 the cells of your body cannot do what they were designed to do. That is true for:

• the cells of your brain
• the cells of your heart
• the cells of your muscles
• the cells of your digestive system
• the cells of your immune system
• all cells of your body

 

This is especially true for cells that are very metabolically active, meaning those cells that work very hard and never stop. Examples are the cells of your brain, called neurons. Your brain is always active. It never stops.

This is also true for the cells of your heart muscle. Your heart never stops beating. The same applies to the cells of your digestive tract. The digestive system is always working, day and night.

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Lipitor and statin drugs - catastrophic for your brain

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In my book, the effect of CoQ10 depletion on our brain is probably the worst. Why?

The brain governs all aspects of who we are:

• our thoughts, memory, moods, hearing, vision, taste, perception of touch, hot, cold, warm, movement, balance, digestive function, hormonal function, sexual function, we could mention more.

Could it be possible that a drug such as Lipitor could predispose a person to Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, premature cognitive decline, balance problems, movement disorders, insomnia, depression? Of course!
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Looking at the list of the possible and observed side effects of Lipitor and other statin drugs: no wonder that there is a long list of potentially devastating side effects on the nervous system, the musculoskeletal system, the special senses, the cardiovascular system.

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Dr. Z. recommends- take Co-Q-100 if you are on statin drugs

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You can probably guess what I think of the current medical model in general, and the insanity of all these pharmaceutical drugs being pushed upon us. Lipitor and other statin drugs - just one example.

It is my firm belief that you must take action. If you believe that you must be on statin drugs it is imperative, in my mind, that you supplement with CoQ10.

It is also very important that you choose a form of CoQ10 that is highly absorbable in the digestive system. It is important that you choose a form of CoQ10 that does not contain other potentially harmful ingredients.

For over two decades I have used Thorne Research supplements nearly exclusively in my clinical practice. Let me to induce you to Co-Q-100 by Thorne Research:

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Why Co-Q-100 in Softgels by Thorne Research?

The Co-Q-100 in Softgels by Thorne Research contains 100 mg of coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone.

The Co-Q-100 or by Thorne Research is more absorbable.

CoQ10 is a fat-soluble nutrient, and research has demonstrated better absorption of CoQ10 when delivered in oil. Co-Q-100 in Softgels contains 100 mg of pure CoQ10 in each capsule, with rice bran oil added to facilitate absorption, and is provided in Thorne's new, fish gelatin softgel capsule.

Every cell of the human body needs it!

Understandably, the need for Coenzyme Q10 appears to be greatest in metabolically-active cells such as in the

• nerve cells of the brain (neurons)
• nerve cells of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves
• heart muscle
• gingiva (gums)
• immune system
• gastric mucosa (stomach lining)
• retina of the eye

There is evidence that Co-Q-100 may be useful as supportive therapy in

• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
• Parkinson's
• Diabetes
• Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)
• High Blood Pressure
• Gastric Ulcers
• Immune Dysfunction
• Visual disturbances - glaucoma - macular degeneration

 

Order Co-Q-100 today!

 

 

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What some of Dr. Z's clients say .