XTEND-YOUR-LIFE Newsletter
Issue - 15th April 2005
CoQ10, Statins and a Warning... Part 1
We are often asked the questions why we don't include CoQ10 in any of our products, and if we are likely to produce a CoQ10 supplement at any time in the future? The answer to the first question is quite complex, although the simple answer is that we don't have to because our foundation product Total Balance helps the body produce its own!
(Having said that, we may consider producing a single CoQ10 product at a later time for those people whose Doctors insist on them staying on a statin drug, rather than use our natural cholesterol lowering formula... I will let you know if we decide to this this!)
I accept that the statement, "we don't have to, because our foundation product Total Balance helps the body produce its own CoQ10!" is on its own not enough to satisfy many of our customers and potential customers. So, as promised in the last issue of Xtend-Life-Questions, I am going attempt to explain in simple terms how it is possible for most people to get sufficient CoQ10 through just a daily intake of Total Balance and a reasonable diet.
However... even though I will make it as simple as possible, it is necessary, in order to adequately explain the mechanism of action, to devote 2 complete issues of Xtend-Your-Life to this subject. So for this reason the subject of CoQ10 will be spread over two parts. The first part today is aimed at giving you a better understanding of what CoQ10 is and also why it has become so incredibly popular, and if indeed the popularity of this substance is warranted?
For those readers who would like more in depth technical information on CoQ10 you can click here for more info (please note that this is a .PDF file and may take a few minutes to open).
OK... so why has CoQ10 become so popular?
In fact, it has become so popular that there is currently a world shortage. This is leading on to inflated prices and creating a problem with fraudulent CoQ10 products being produced and sold throughout the world. For more info on this you can read an article on this subject by clicking here.
CoQ10 is synthesized using a very complex manufacturing process. The majority of the CoQ10 is manufactured in Japan by a single large manufacturer and four smaller ones. There are imitators but it would be a mistake to use CoQ10 from any other source because you can not be certain that you will get the desired results.
Recently in Japan when CoQ10 was reclassified as a dietary supplement instead of a prescription drug, sales soared five fold in one year, making the world shortage even more acute.
So, what's causing this incredible demand?
Although there is no hard evidence to support what I am about to say concerning the popularity of CoQ10, I suspect that the opinion that I am about to offer will be pretty close...
In my opinion the pharmaceutical industry is responsible for the incredible growth in the popularity of CoQ10. Oh... don't get me wrong... they are not out there promoting the virtues of CoQ10 but they have inadvertently created a significant demand due to their development of cholesterol lowering drugs known of statins. These statin drugs have become the biggest money spinner in history for the pharmaceutical industry.
Risks of cardiac arrest...
So, why have they inadvertently created a demand for CoQ10? Simple... the statin drugs deplete the body of CoQ10 and without it the risks of a 'heart event' skyrockets. The use of these drugs is becoming so widespread that even the general populace is now being encouraged to take them even if their cholesterol is at a level which used to be considered normal. This is because that under the new guidelines set by the 'cholesterol council' the levels are artificially low. The levels that used to be considered 'normal' (and quite rightly so) are now considered high and as such the person should 'take a statin'.
Why are the levels so low? Hmmm... maybe it has something to do with the fact that seven of the nine members of the cholesterol 'council' have financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry? Oh... but surely not? Am I being cynical?
Anyway, although many people taking statins know they deplete their CoQ10 what they don't know is that quite apart from the known side effects of the statins that their risk for a heart event increases significantly... if they don't supplement with CoQ10. More evidence on that later.
As usual, when a supplement becomes known as giving beneficial results many people (and companies) jump on the bandwagon and promote it to people who don't really need it. Oh... don't get me wrong... your body really does need CoQ10 and if you are on a statin drug you are putting your health at risk if you don't supplement with CoQ10.
Not the best use of your monthly budget...
But... to take CoQ10 as a stand alone supplement if you are NOT on a statin drug is not the best use of your monthly supplement budget, simply because you are not likely to be seriously deficient in this nutrient unless your body is diseased or you have an extremely poor diet. CoQ10 is present in a number of foods, in particular organic meats. However, it is virtually impossible to get all your CoQ10 needs from your diet as about 50% of your daily needs has to be manufactured by your body (more on this in the next issue)... or come from supplementation.
Based on statistics we know that a lot of our readers will either be on a statin drug or have someone close to them on a statin. Gradually more and more of our readers are coming off their statins in conjunction with their phycisians and with help from our natural cholesterol lowering formula. But... for now, lets just concentrate on those people who are still on their statins and ignore the other options available.
OK... now for the warning...
It's simple! If you are on a statin drug your chances of a 'heart event' increase exponentially UNLESS you supplement with a quality CoQ10 supplement.
Now for the evidence!
Statin drugs work by inhibiting the production of cholesterol by the liver. However, the pathway that is 'blocked' happens to be the same pathway that is used to produce CoQ10. So, as a result the drugs not only block the production of cholesterol but also the production of CoQ10.
There is substantial irrefutable evidence that the risk of cardiac arrest and other heart events is increased by a far greater degree due to the loss of CoQ10 than the reduction of risk due to the lowering of cholesterol. However, this evidence is not widely distributed and I doubt that many physicians are even aware of it.
As an example of this evidence I am going to refer you to just one published article which documents studies of a number of patients over a period of time who were on statin drugs and who were not only given supplemental CoQ10 but also had the supplemental CoQ10 withheld for periods as well.
What is interesting in these cases is that the results can easily be understood in that they are not just talking only about blood levels of a particular substance, but rather measuring the cardiac health and quality of life of the individuals. It's quite fascinating reading and a MUST READ if you are taking a statin drug. It shows clearly that your quality of life will deteriorate significantly if you are on a statin drug and don't supplement.
Perhaps you may like to print out the article and give it to your physician.
You can access it by clicking here (please note that this is a .PDF file and may take a few minutes to open).
In the next issue of Xtend-Your-life I will cover Part 2 of this subject and show you how you can get adequate supplies of CoQ10 in your body without the need to take expensive CoQ10 supplements.
In good health,
Info about the editor
Important notice: All material provided within the newsletter XTEND-YOUR-LIFE is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this publication. Consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and wellbeing or on any opinions expressed within this newsletter. The information provided in this newsletter is believed to be accurate based on the best judgment of the editor but the reader is responsible for consulting with their own health professional on any matters raised within.
