CoQ10: Statin Medication

CoQ10 is a coenzyme that lives in the mitochondria and is responsible for producing energy and protecting cells from oxidative stress. Statins are a type of medication that lower cholesterol with the goal of benefiting people at risk for heart disease. For the right patients, statins can decrease the risk of cardiovascular death and disabilities. However, despite the benefits that statins can have for those at risk of cardiovascular disease, statins have been found to increase the risk of developing diabetes, particularly in older patients. Studies suggest that because statins reduce the body’s levels of CoQ10, mitochondrial dysfunction will occur that leads to higher glucose levels. This article is going to discuss the link between supplementing CoQ10 while taking statins to prevent the development of diabetes. Continue reading to learn more.

Link Between Statins and Diabetes

Studies have found that statins, especially when in high doses, are associated with a 27% increased risk of developing type II diabetes. The elderly are at the highest risk of developing diabetes. Another study found that patients taking higher doses of statins has a 12% higher risk of developing diabetes than those on a moderate dose. It puts into question whether or not taking statins to lower cholesterol to protect from cardiovascular disease is worth the risk of developing diabetes which in turn can paradoxically increase the chance of developing cardiovascular disease. Experts believe that it’s worth taking the risk because risk of developing cardiovascular disease is worse than the risk of developing diabetes.

How CoQ10 Can Help

Supplementing with CoQ10 is believed to have the ability to counteract the damage caused by statins and reduce the risk of developing diabetes while taking statins. Statins drain the body of CoQ10 which can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction that causes faulty insulin signaling. This can cause elevated glucose levels that cause diabetes. Statins work by preventing the process of producing cholesterol molecules which in turn block the precursor of CoQ10. Supplementing with CoQ10 can help people on statins to maintain healthy levels of CoQ10 which can prevent developing diabetes.

Benefits of Supplementing with CoQ10

Aside for restoring depleted levels of CoQ10 in patients with diabetes, CoQ10 can also lower blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C. Research has shown that fat cells that have been exposed to statins can have their normal glucose levels restored with CoQ10 and can help reverse any damage done. Supplementing with only 200 mg a day of CoQ10 has been shown to significantly decrease the chances of developing diabetes while taking statins. It has also been shown to decrease cardiovascular risks that are caused by diabetes. Studies have found that depleted levels of CoQ10 can cause diabetic cardiomyopathy which is the loss of heart muscle function. Diabetic have poor blood vessel lining function which can be made worse by taking statins. Maintaining regular supplementation of CoQ10 has been found to counteract these risks.

CoQ10 has been found to have a myriad of health benefits that include cancer prevention, brain function and the lowered risk of developing diabetes. If you are taking statins and are worried about your risk of developing diabetes, make sure to supplement with CoQ10 to ensure that you are protected from any risks.