Even brief exposure to statins causes muscle damage

This post includes a synopsis of a study published in the Archives of Neurology 2004 Jun;61(6):889-92 and a recipe for pot roast lamb.

Study title and authors:
Atorvastatin decreases the coenzyme Q10 level in the blood of patients at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Rundek T, Naini A, Sacco R, Coates K, DiMauro S.
Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15210526

Books:

Rundek notes there have been various adverse effects of statin drugs, including problems commonly affecting muscle and ranging from muscle pain to the rapid destruction of skeletal muscle which can then cause kidney failure (rhabdomyolysis). These adverse effects may be due to a coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) deficiency because inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis also inhibits the synthesis of CoQ(10).

The objective of the study was to measure CoQ(10) levels in blood from subjects with high cholesterol levels before and after exposure to atorvastatin at 14 and 30 days.

 
The study found:
(a) Coenzyme Q(10) levels dropped by 51% after 30 days of statin thearpy.
(b) A significant decrease was already detectable after 14 days of treatment.
 
To conclude: Even brief exposure to statins causes a marked decrease in blood CoQ(10) concentration. Widespread inhibition of CoQ(10) synthesis could explain the most commonly reported adverse effects of statins, especially exercise intolerance, muscle pain, and rhabdomyolysis.

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Recipe of the day

Pot Roast lamb

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Lamb Shoulder Roast

1 x 1.25kg/2¾lb boned, and rolled lamb shoulder joint, tied

15ml/1tbsp tallow
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
1 large leek or fennel bulb, sliced
1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
150ml/¼pint red wine
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped

Method:
1.Preheat the oven to Gas mark 4-5, 180-190°C, 350-375°F

2.Heat the oil in a large pan or casserole dish and brown the meat on all sides. Transfer to a large casserole dish.

3.Add the garlic, leek or fennel, chopped tomatoes, red wine, rosemary sprigs and sun-dried tomatoes.

4.Cover and cook to the preferred calculated cooking time, basting occasionally.

Pot Roast Lamb