In this issue:
Meow,
CoQ-10 Deficiencies Linked to Metabolic
Syndrome Drugs
Metabolic syndrome is a term we seem to be using more and more here at the
Co-op. If you can’t remember the specifics, don’t go pawing through the archives
-- here’s a refresher:
FAST FACT: Metabolic syndrome is a condition marked by a
combination of abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, poor blood sugar control,
high LDL “bad” cholesterol, low HDL “good” cholesterol, and high blood fats.
Sounds like an awful lot of Americans, alas.
Drug therapy is the primary approach physicians use when managing metabolic
syndrome symptoms. Unfortunately, these drugs deplete many of the nutrients
critical to health.
Among the deficiencies created are: magnesium, zinc, vitamin B12, folic acid,
melatonin and coenzyme Q-10 or CoQ-10.
CoQ-10 is one of the most frequently studied nutrients when it comes to
drug-induced deficiency, in part because of its relationship to the very popular
statin drugs.
Studies have shown that CoQ-10 concentrations can decrease by as much as 54%
when taking statin drugs.
CoQ-10 is depleted by other metabolic syndrome drugs as well. According to a
recent
article in Integrative Medicine, drug therapies using diuretics,
beta-blockers, sulfonylureas (a diabetic drug) and biguanide (also for diabetes)
all deplete CoQ-10 in the human body.
Even a
study in the British Journal of Nutrition shows that fermented red rice,
a natural source of cholesterol-lowering constituents, lowers CoQ-10 levels in
the human body just like pharmaceutical statins.
The implications?
CoQ-10 plays a crucial role in cellular ATP production (yep, we’re talking
about energy production here), especially in the heart cells.
CoQ-10 is an antioxidant, but also a key gene regulator in muscle tissue,
playing an important role in tissue metabolism.
With drug-induced nutrient depletion of CoQ-10, then a whole host of other
symptoms and conditions can occur. For instance:
• hypertension
• stroke
• arrhythmias
• cardiomyopathy
• fatigue
• gingivitis
• muscle weakness
• weakened immunity
• loss of cognitive function
Dr. Hugo Rodier, our favorite integrative physician, recommends supplementing
with CoQ-10, with at least 100 mg/day if you are on a statin or metabolic
syndrome drug.
Women take note: Women are more vulnerable than men to CoQ-10
deficiency, and thus are strongly encouraged to supplement!
The benefit of adequate CoQ10 in the human body has been demonstrated in
variety of studies of late.
Here are just a few for those inquiring minds who want to know more:
•
CoQ-10 slows Alzheimer’s disease
•
Parkinson’s disease symptoms improved with CoQ-10
•
Coenzyme Q10: Absorption, tissue uptake and metabolism in the heart and
brain
Until next time, fair members. Stay tuned! ^..^
Still purringly yours,
Guido
Guido Housemouser
Chief Kat and Community Manager
Our Health Co-op
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