Statin Cholesterol Drugs Zap Your Energy!

    A study in the June 12, 2012 issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine reports that the cholesterol lowering statin drugs can leave users feeling drained and tired after exertion.

    Beatrice A. Golomb, MD, PhD, of the University of California San Diego (UCSD), and colleagues found that combined scores for change in energy and exertional fatigue worsened after patients started taking a statin compared to the group who did not take the drugs.

    The study included 1,016 men and women with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol screened at 115 to 190 mg/dL, who were given 20 mg simvastatin, 40 mg pravastatin (Pravachol), or a placebo daily for 6 months. The participants had no cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
    Overall, 21% of participants felt more tired after exertion. Women, however, were particularly affected. As many as 40% of women taking Zocor felt more tired and fatigued during physical exertion as women not taking the drug. 
    "These findings are important, given the central relevance of energy and functional status to well-being," the researchers said.
    
Of concern was increased fatigue and tiredness had the effect of decreasing the amount of exercise people wanted or were able to do. Exercise has been shown to be very important in lowering cholesterol counts.

One of the best things you can do to combat the fatigue is to supplement with CoQ-10.  This is depleted in large amounts in the body when taking any statin drug, and needs to be replenished.  Recommended dosage for anyone on a statin drug should be no less than 200mg per day! Some of the benefits ot taking CoQ-10 include:

•  producing more energy to be used by your cells
• boost your heart and cardiovascular health
• works as an anti-oxidant to protect against free radicals
• help reduce signs of aging
• provides a boost to your immune system
• helps support your nervous system and an active mind

If you know someone who is taking a statin drug for their cholesterol, please have them call our office to speak with Dr. Phil about natural ways to help lower cholesterol, as well as supplements like CoQ-10 to help protect their body from the harmful side effects of cholesterol and statin drugs.  

WATERMELON MAY REDUCE THE RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S. If you or someone you know has CVD, or has high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, or any of the other factors that could lead to CVD, you have probably been told to exercise, reduce stress levels and avoid certain foods like sugar, white flours and junk food. Or you may have been prescribed drugs like statins. However, there are certain foods — known as ‘functional foods’ — that, in addition to the nutrients they supply, also specifically promote health or prevent disease in a certain part of the body. In the case of CVD, you still want to exercise and eat well, but there are also functional foods that may help prevent it, and may even help you avoid drugs.
Let’s just take one of the CVD risk factors: hypertension, high blood pressure.
Normal blood pressure is considered 120/80 or below. High blood pressure starts at 140/90. Between those you have a rating called prehypertension, which basically means that if you don’t do something to lower your blood pressure you could end up with full-blown hypertension — something you really want to avoid.
The risk level is much higher with hypertension than prehypertension, so getting your blood pressure under control now is a smart health move.
What functional foods help prehypertension? According to a recent study conducted at Florida State University, watermelon might be just what you need.
The study, though small, is very promising and is the first on human subjects. While the participants didn’t actually eat watermelon, they were given six grams daily of the amino acid L-citrulline/L-arginine from watermelon extract for six weeks. There were four men and five women, ages 51 to 57, and each were prehypertensive. All participants had positive results: improved arterial function and lowered blood pressure.
The real ‘active” ingredient, the one that’s making the difference, is the amino acid L-arginine. However, L-arginine taken on its own can be hard on the gastrointestinal system. The better option is another amino acid, L-citrulline, which converts to L-arginine once in the body.
Watermelon is loaded with L-citrulline, is well tolerated, has no side effects, and provides the added benefits of Vitamins A, B6 and C along with fiber, potassium and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.
If you’re looking for natural solutions to protect your heart, give watermelon extract a try. It is available at local health food stores and online!

SOURCE: Science Daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101013173847.htm.