Can CoQ10 Undo Damage Caused by Statin Medication?
Research appearing in the Journal of Applied Physiology (August 1, 2012 113:479-486) looked at mice treated with statin (cholesterol-lowering) medication. The mice were given the cholesterol medication and examined for physical performance mitochondrial function (mitochondria are parts of the cell that produce energy–they are damaged by statin medication), and the CoQ10 content of the muscle cells. The mice developed dysfunction in the mitochondria of muscle cells, as well as developing decreased exercise tolerance. Treating the mice with CoQ10 reversed the mitochondrial dysfunction and improved exercise tolerance. The authors of the study speculate that patients can supplement with CoQ10 to offset the side-effects of cholesterol-lowering medication.
