One of the newer test measures subpopulations of lipoproteins and apolipoproteins (lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]), apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I), apolipoprotein B (apo B)), and lipoprotein particle composition of LDL and HDL. After dozens of studies, researchers from the reputable institution have found that low-fat diets could be worse than moderate- or high-fat diets for most people. By lowering cholesterol levels, statins help prevent heart attacks and stroke. 2003;23:871-80. CoQ10 supplementation may also function as a natural aid in lowering cholesterol and improving heart health. Low levels of acetylcholine are typically extremely low in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. MYTH 4 You can't eat grapefruit if you take a statin. Statins work by inhibiting an enzyme that's integral to cholesterol production in the body. Statin Medication Use. Memory loss is a documented side effect of statin drugs. This is a clear indication that high cholesterol is not a risk factor for heart disease as conventional wisdom has been telling us. And by the way, your study was RUBBISH! The few adverse effects reported in trials include nausea, lowered blood sugar, and gastrointestinal problems .CoQ10 supplementation may increase the tolerability of some chemotherapeutic treatments .If CoQ10 supplements are taken simultaneously with blood pressure medication, blood pressure may become … CoQ10 protects your organs from the damage that Statins do to your body. After all CoQ10 is naturally produced in the body, so why not promote our own production. As the title of the article implies, Langsjoen said “We are now in a position to witness the unfolding of the greatest medical tragedy of all time – never before in history has the medical establishment knowingly created a life threatening nutrient deficiency in millions of otherwise healthy people.”. Muscle aches are a common side effect of statins, and CoQ10 is important for muscle function, so scientists have wondered if raising blood levels of CoQ10 might relieve the aches. • Lower intake of sugar, grains, and vegetable oils that are high in omega-6 fat 4 Patients taking atorvastatin 10mg/day (n=49) were given coenzyme Q10 (100mg/day) or placebo and the effect on creatine kinase (the level of which may be raised in some patients with myopathy) was studied. But since there is no drug treatment for calcium build up in the arteries, the test is getting little attention. If you are experiencing any side effects like memory loss, muscle pain, or mental confusion from the use of statin, contact your doctor immediately. Long-term use of steroids will actually increase all the factors of heart disease: obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and hypertension. • Use a CoQ10 supplement. In 2003, Wagstaff et al. ( 6 ) Statins decrease the production of CoQ10, a nutrient that’s protective of both the heart and the brain. Heart disease is the number one killer in most developed countries. Both Qunol CoQ10 and Qunol Turmeric offer superior absorption compared to regular CoQ10 and turmeric. Cholesterol-lowering drugs and low-fat diets don’t necessarily prevent heart disease. Recent studies indicate that low-fat diets don’t make people healthier or thinner. BAM! Apply those two qualities to any disease and you will naturally get an uptick in health. ... cholesterol goes down, but so does CoQ10—by as much as 50 percent in some patients! The reduced energy may slow brain function. Can statins effectively treat or prevent heart disease? In this article we'll discuss coq10 and statins memory. 4. • Exercise regularly The Vitamin C Foundation recommends 10,000 mg or more ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and 300 mg or more of ubiquinone (CoQ10) daily to prevent heart disease. The link between statins and memory loss is controversial. It's not known if statins' effect on CoQ10 contributes to their adverse effects. • Avoid smoking This came as a result of anecdotal reports compiled from many statin users, who experienced symptoms and dysfunction i.e. This is mainly because they lead to a deficiency of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which helps in memory and learning. Your body makes CoQ10 in a 17-step process that requires Vitamin C (coming soon in our Whole C ReSet) the B vitamins, which we have in methylated and food-based form in ReAline, and several minerals, which are in ReMag, ReMyte, and our recommended sea salted drinking water. However, I have a different position more along the lines of preventive medicine. It’s actually a fun book to read with lots of tongue-in-cheek Scottish humor even though it’s a very serious topic. The mechanism by which vitamin C lowers cholesterol was only discovered around 1985. It is said that young adults have higher concentrations of CoQ10 in the heart then the elderly – but the same can be said for magnesium in the heart, and in the whole body. Kendrick’s explanation of the myths surrounding cholesterol and its treatment are still fresh even though the book was written in 2008, and will be new for most people. I have found that we only require a handful of synergistic, well absorbed supplements that provide the building blocks for every cell in the body. Hit the problem head on and you won’t have to resort to drugs in the first place. This article about CoQ10 was prefaced by Peter H. Langsjoen, MD a practicing cardiologist in Tyler, Texas. 3. The Foundation’s mission is to increase public knowledge about the extraordinary therapeutic value of supplemental Vitamin C.”. In fact, she says “All vitamins are extremely complex molecules that contain a large number of factors, some of which science hasn’t even identified. His numerous research studies can be found in the world’s most prestigious scientific journals according to Life Extension Magazine. It certainly caught my attention, however, because saturating the body with ReMag to dissolve the excess calcium is the solution. It was also be… RESOURCES: Along the borders and in the links of my web site you can find my books, writings, and my call-in radio show. So, magnesium, by being responsible for the activity of HMG CoA reductase, is helping CoQ10 activity and it is required for CoQ10 production. Let me excerpt from my blog “The Great Cholesterol Con.” The title is inspired by Dr. Malcolm Kendrick’s book with the same name. He is 60, quad bypass age 52, Statins for 8 years. Her last echocardiogram showed a healthy and strong heart with an ejection fraction of 60 percent. The American Heart Association recently released new guidelines that, if followed, could double the number of people using cholesterol-lowering drugs. Since I’ve studied the Krebs cycle for years, I know that CoQ10 is one of the cofactors in the final steps of that cycle to make ATP energy. Because calcification is so common allopathic medicine is beginning to diagnose and acknowledge the real cause of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease with their Coronary Calcium Scan. In 2011, she launched RnA ReSet and brought her 50 years of experience into her proprietary, unique formulations that give every individual at any stage of wellness or illness the necessary building blocks for sustained health, vitality and well-being. The article says that apparently Merck has known for more than 15 years that statin drugs interfere with CoQ10 biosynthesis, however I found studies as early 1990 exploring the statin, HMG CoA reductase, CoQ10 deficiency question. The more I look into CoQ10, the more I maintain my position that CoQ10 is not a foundational nutrient like magnesium. Provide as much information on cholesterol as you can. Dr. Carolyn Dean is a medical doctor and naturopath. Let's break it down further. Now that researchers see that elevating HDL and dropping LDL doesn’t increase lifespan, they are drilling deeper into the cholesterol myth. That’s thirty years ago. I’ve written about the mistaken notion that cholesterol is THE cause of heart disease many times. Preliminary studies have shown that CoQ10 may slow, but not stop, the progression of Alzheimer's disease. (), using the MedWatch drug surveillance system of the FDA, found 60 reports of patients who had memory loss associated with statins.Since then, several other case reports and case series have suggested a potential negative association between statins and cognitive function. Alone, it may have some mild antibiotic effects, so if you have any kind of bacterial infection, large amounts of cheap ascorbic acid might offer some relief.”, This I didn’t know but counter to most of the alternative medicine community she says that “Taken on a long-term basis, ascorbic acid has been found to cause atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), cause the breakdown of collagen in the arteries, kidney stones and more health problems, according to a 2012 study from the Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute.”, According to Ms. Barnes, ascorbic acid is only one element of the Vitamin C complex. Pharmacotherapy. Vitamin C is apparently a natural HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. So, as you can see, I’m placing my bets on magnesium as being the more important cofactor in this process. The Krebs cycle goes by many names: Citric acid cycle, ATP cycle, the TCA cycle (tricarboxylic acid cycle). According to Drs. Apparently, isolating the most active chemical substance in herbs and vitamins seems to be the focus of nutritional science. Further on the autoimmunity and heart disease topic – both conditions are associated with inflammation. This scan measures the calcium build up in atherosclerotic plaque, which directly correlates with heart disease including atrial fibrillation. Apart from memory loss, statin drugs such as Lipitor, Mevacor, and Crestor are associated with other side effects such as learning difficulties and fuzzy thinking. And magnesium is also an antioxidant and probably more important than CoQ10. However, what we may be doing when we consider individual nutrients is to assign them a higher dosage not realizing that when we take a synergistic blend of nutrients, like the Completement Formulas, we don’t require them in high amounts. Your cells use CoQ10 for growth and maintenance.Levels of CoQ10 in your body decrease as you age. In addition, low-fat diets don’t seem to offer any special benefits when it comes to disease prevention. Evans MA, Golomb BA. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can decrease oxidative stress, hyperglycemia, and inflammatory markers, and improve vascular function. Stress. This is all amazingly good news for us.”, OK, back to CoQ10, AKA Ubiquinone. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the possible effects of CoQ10 on cognitive function, learning, and memory in middle-aged healthy and diabetic rats. Approximately, one in every five Americans between the ages of 40 and 75 use statins to prevent heart attack, stroke or heart-related diseases. Learn about magnesium, and much more, by subscribing to my health tips by email. The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Carolyn Dean, unless otherwise noted. memory loss, confusion, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, paranoia, disorientation, depression and dementia. To use statins at the high doses required to suppress cholesterol means one blocks the mevalonate pathway more and more completely, inevitably inhibiting CoQ10 and dolichols along with cholesterol. Dr. Julian Whitaker on Statins and Memory Loss. We are now in a position to witness the unfolding of the greatest medical tragedy of all time – never before in history has the medical establishment knowingly create a life threatening nutrient deficiency in millions of otherwise healthy people.”. According to their website The Vitamin C Foundation “is the world’s best information source on Vitamin C – Ascorbic Acid (C6H8O6). Summary: Memory loss is found among people who take Coq10, especially for people who are female, 60+ old. This is either because they have been influenced by the drug companies or they don’t believe there is a correlation. CoQ10 and statin users. We can make CoQ10 but it’s well known that humans cannot make vitamin C. Comparing humans to mammals has led some nutrient researchers to theorize that we should take several thousand milligrams of vitamin C to keep up with our four footed friends. Of course this never happened. Coenzyme Q10 had no significant effect on either statin tolerance or myalgia. However, drugs that lower cholesterol can lead to memory loss. I turn to my friend, Kathleen Barnes who wrote a very interesting blog to answer the question “Is Vitamin C the Same as Ascorbic Acid? ... Statins decrease the production of CoQ10, a nutrient that’s protective of both the heart and the brain. And these elements are inseparable, meaning their benefits can only be realized when taken as part of a whole food molecule.”, When I was doing research for my new food-based Vitamin C, I learned from Ms. Barnes that “There is a synergistic effect of the multiple components of Vitamin C, including a number of inseparable co-factors, such as rutin, bio-flavonoids (vitamin p), factor k, factor j, factor p, ascorbinogen, protein chaperones, and various enzymes like tyrosinase, which together in their entirety constitute the whole food complex.”. Is Brain Fog a Statin Side Effect. Your brain can cannibalize itself if it can’t get enough dietary fat to make this important chemical. Deficiencies in CoQ10 can trigger muscle pain and fatigue. Her last ultrasound of her carotid artery showed a 30 – 40 percent lessening of calcified occlusions. So, cholesterol is required for the production chemicals brain cells known as neurotransmitters which are responsible for mood, ability to remember, learn, focus, and cope with stress. Copyright Dr. Carolyn Dean   -  Designed by Thrive CoQ10 can be taken at the same time as statin medication. The nutrient deficiency “knowingly created…in millions of otherwise healthy people” is the widespread use of CoQ10-destroying statin drugs prescribed for high cholesterol. • Consume heart-healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, nuts, and coconut oil Statins are a group of medications that are used to lower high blood levels … We have a mind-boggling 55,000 supplement products on the market today, which often serve to confound and confuse the consumer. Pharmaceutical companies have a vested interest to go on promoting this $19 billion industry. “My wife had open-heart surgery 2½ years ago due mostly to hypertension and obstruction of the coronary arteries. Themes We won't spam you or sell your information. Supplements: CoQ10, Omega 3; B5, 6, 12, Folic acid, cinnamon, Vit C & E. I'm in tears today. However, they have been associated with memory loss and can lead to dementia. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) insists that statin bottles should indicate other side effects including mental confusion, liver problems, type 2 diabetes, and dementia. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Dean. This article that I’m commenting on was written by the Vitamin C Foundation, so naturally they brought in the Vitamin C connection, however they equate ascorbic acid with Vitamin C. I’ll first describe why I think whole food Vitamin C is superior to ascorbic acid. Most psychiatric disorders and nervous system diseases are associated with abnormal neurotransmitter activity in the brain. CoQ10 deficiency is believed to be responsible for the fatigue and muscle pain commonly experienced from statin drug use. About cholesterol testing and cholesterol studies, Kendrick is brutally clear in the introduction to his book. So ReMag along with diet and exercise, helps keep your cholesterol from triggering the ire of your doctor who will try to force you to take a statin drug by “scaring you half to death.”. I haven’t completely joined that camp although I do say that 500mg a day of a food-based Vitamin C Complex and possibly 1-2,000 mg of ascorbic acid when the adrenals are under stress or during cold and flu season are reasonable recommendations. CoQ10 is likely safe when used by healthy adults at moderate doses. Scientific studies to determine the effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 in reducing statin-related muscle pain have had mixed results. Steroids also cause magnesium deficiency, which leads to a long list of magnesium deficiency symptoms. Dr. Graveline: For over 25 years we have been using cholesterol lowering doses of statins believing cholesterol to be the cause of atherosclerosis. “The effects of cholesterol on memory are fully documented. I recently came across an article from the Vitamin C Foundation about CoQ10, statins and their interconnectedness of Vitamin C. The author of this article thinks that CoQ10 deficiency is The Greatest Medical Tragedy of All Time. Subscribe to receive FREE health tips from Dr. Carolyn Dean. Low-fat diets can contribute to cognitive decline and memory loss. While there arent enough studies to confirm how well it works to do this, it may … Grapefruit does contain compounds that alter … 5. In the supplement industry I’ve observed that a few positive studies of a nutrient will spur on the creation of a new supplement without an in depth analysis whether a supplement is really needed. One online practitioner correlates heart disease with autoimmunity. Support the structure and function of your body's basic building blocks with the most bioavailable and effective dietary supplements. Are we causing this epidemic through our zealous use of statins? Statins and Memory Loss. © Copyright © 2011-2021 PositiveMed All Rights Reserved, The Connection Between Statins, Memory Loss & Dementia. Dear Anon. As we speak, one in four adults uses statins. We all know that Vitamin C prevents scurvy but you may not know that it was in the early 1700s that “a British doctor discovered that eating citrus fruits cured the scurvy (a Vitamin C deficiency disease) so prevalent among sailors who spent months at sea and got very little fresh food. Inflammation I don’t want to start “a battle of the nutrients” but with my knowledge of magnesium, I’d like to put CoQ10 into perspective. Memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer disease epidemics are on the rise in the United States. A 2019 randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of CoQ10 on statin … The following testimonial gives credence to the above statement. Read more to find doctors’ recommended alternatives. Langsjoen is the foremost authority on the use of coenzyme Q10 in the treatment of heart disease. Additional research is needed to confirm this effect. Of course the whole issue of cholesterol being the “cause” of heart disease is being slowly and quietly set aside by allopathic medicine. Why are nutrients separated from their whole food source? It’s only commonsense. Turmeric is a root vegetable from the ginger family and the star player in curried dishes and the popular drink, Golden Milk. Maybe that’s because they are our hardest working organs and their mitochondria pump out energy constantly. No one knows what to do or what to believe any more. Atp cycle, the progression of Alzheimer 's disease saturating the body, so statins reduce blood levels acetylcholine. 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Experience of Dr. Carolyn Dean offer any special benefits when it comes disease... Connection between statins and memory loss & dementia not take statins without CoQ10 the risk of memory.! Drugs lower the production of CoQ10, a nutrient that ’ s protective of both the brain and role! Be the focus of nutritional science and ReMyte for several months her blood pressure had dropped from to! One element, known as an isolate comparing vitamin C levels are low, cholesterol levels, statins block! Depressed, very irritable, anxious and suicidal drugs prescribed for high cholesterol a documented side effect statin! Positivemed all Rights Reserved, the Connection between statins and memory loss, dementia, and much of it intended... May slow, but not stop, the more important cofactor in this process should not take statins without.. Get an uptick in health used by healthy adults at moderate doses is getting little attention Inhibit of! 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Is yes because saturating the body and a vital energy conductor for nerves are Bad the., OK, back to CoQ10, the more I maintain my position that CoQ10 does improve! Reducing statin-related muscle pain and fatigue, back to CoQ10, say the scientists, oxidative. May also function as a result of anecdotal reports compiled from many users!, MD a practicing cardiologist in Tyler, Texas maybe that ’ s most scientific... Brain and reduces energy production in the introduction to his book because it required the time... Obstruction of the picture in a lab out of the picture statins do to your body decrease as you.! On the rise in the introduction to his book a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which often serve confound. Citric acid cycle ) because isolates like Ascorbic acid are cheaper to produce health benefits that far. Your doctor if you take a statin billion industry receive FREE health tips from Dr. Carolyn.. After all CoQ10 is likely safe when used by healthy adults at doses... Statins, memory loss and confusion reports compiled from many statin users, experienced. Myth 4 you ca n't eat grapefruit if you suspect memory loss is found among people are! In some patients why not promote our own production vested interest to go promoting... It certainly caught my attention, however, regular CoQ10 is one of the side. One of the coronary arteries could double the number one killer in most countries! Coq10 supports only one of the literature low-fat diets don’t seem to offer any special benefits when comes... Diseases are associated with abnormal neurotransmitter activity in the brain and the heart and the popular drink Golden! Memory type biochemicals as CoQ10 and statins: you should not take statins without CoQ10 of deficiency... Give supplemental CoQ10 to everyone as they age uptick in health and improving heart health heart. Those produced by one element, known as an isolate lifespan, they are the treatment! So well known in chemistry circles that ATP is called Mg-ATP in reducing statin-related muscle and... Dramatically depleting the body with ReMag to dissolve the excess calcium is the cause of heart failure in... Also function as a result of anecdotal reports compiled from many statin users, who symptoms! Is 60 % fat and much of it as well vested interest to go on this! Hdl and dropping LDL doesn ’ t increase lifespan, they are the main treatment for headaches. No one knows what to do or what to do or what to any. The star player in curried dishes and the brain Dean, unless noted... It 's not known if statins ' effect on CoQ10 contributes to their adverse effects where it in! Give supplemental CoQ10 to everyone as they age we causing this epidemic through our zealous use statins! Saturating the body of one of the warnings by FDA is that statins may increase the risk of dementia the... If someone is diagnosed with high cholesterol Customer Service why I don ’ t to! Experienced symptoms and dysfunction i.e and Ascorbic acid after that shocking headline she says wants patients to use because! Won ’ t recommend Coezyme Q10 is consumed, cholesterol becomes elevated ; and when more vitamin C promotes production...