Statin drugs can deplete your levels of CoQ10. Statins such as lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor) and atorvastatin (Lipitor) are in a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs known as reductase inhibitors. These drugs lower cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme HMG CoA reductase, which the liver needs to manufacture cholesterol. When this enzyme is inhibited, less cholesterol is produced.

However, this same enzyme, HMG CoA reductase, is also involved in the synthesis of CoQ10. That means the use of statin drugs can suppress CoQ10 production, sometimes up to 40%, which may lead to a CoQ10 deficiency and, in turn, assorted inflammation-based ills.

The deficiency of CoQ10 is not a trivial thing. It should be taken seriously. Some physicians like to make an each-way bet. They prescribe statins and then tell their patients to use CoQ10 supplements. This is better than just ignoring the problem, but it still reflects the poverty of orthodox medical thinking and ethics. It is best not to cause the problem in the first place.

What happens when the body is deficient in CoQ10? The consequences can be very serious. Possible complications include: atherosclerosis, gingivitis (bleeding gums), fatigue, fibromyalgia and high blood pressure. In addition, because CoQ10 is used by heart cells to create energy, a deficiency can result in less efficient heart pumping action and arrhythmias. Low CoQ10 levels can also impair male fertility. And, of particular concern when possibly facing serious influenza outbreaks, decreased levels of CoQ10 can lead to a weakened immune system. Nobody needs any of these complications, surely.

With a list like this, an ounce of prevention has to be worth a pound of cure. If you are taking cholesterol-lowering medication, find out from your pharmacist or physician if your medication is a reductase inhibitor. If so, start taking 100 mg of CoQ10 daily with meals. It is sold as a dietary supplement and is widely available in health-food stores and supermarkets. CoQ10 is also known as coenzyme Q10, Q10, vitamin Q10, ubiquinone or ubidecarenone.

High cholesterol has been hyped up into a massive health risk. It isn't. People with genuine hypercholesterolemia and a number of other cardiac risk factors should certainly not allow it to remain way too high, but don't believe the nonsense written by drug companies that your doctor parrots to you, not much of it is actually true. Remember, you need cholesterol and your liver manufactures it.

If you are really serious about maintaining your health then it's time you learned about safer and more effective ways of dealing with your high cholesterol. Take a look at this natural cholesterol lowering formula. I can assure you this is the route I personally favor. I would not take statins in a million years!