| |
Increase Your Risk of Heart Disease With Lipitor and
Pravachol by Barrett Niehus Results of a new study comparing the
effectiveness of Pfizer Inc.,’s Lipitor with Pravachol, made by
Bristol-Myers Squibb, was recently published in the New York Times. The
study details the clinical observation that Lipitor was significantly more
effective than Pravachol in lowering patient’s LDL cholesterol levels.
However, the study did not comment on the overall effect that Statin drugs
have on patient health, or the research that indicates Statins may actually
increase your risk of heart disease and heart attack. Statin drugs have been
proven effective in the reduction of LDL cholesterol in most patients.
However, the bio-chemical reactions that the drugs use to decease
cholesterol also inhibit the production of an important nutrient that is
essential for good heart health; specifically CoQ10. Lipitor and Pravachol
work by inhibiting the body’s ability to make an enzyme called HMG-CoA. This
enzyme is the precursor to two compounds, cholesterol and CoQ10. Because the
intent of Statin drugs is to inhibit cholesterol production, this method of
suppression is very effective in reducing cholesterol levels. However, by
suppressing the manufacture of HMG-CoA, and subsequently CoQ10, the body
actually becomes more susceptible to heart attack, angina, congestive heart
failure, and many other pulmonary-related diseases. CoQ10 is found in every
cell in the body and is necessary for proper energy utilization, resistance
to disease, and cardiac health. The compound is so necessary that it’s
chemical name is actually ubiquinone, because of its ubiquitous presence in
the body. By suppressing the mechanism that makes CoQ10, Statin drugs such
as Lipitor and Pravachol put patients at significant risk of heart disease,
as well as reduce overall resistance to cancer and other diseases. CoQ10 is
used by the heart and other muscles to facilitate contraction as blood is
pumped through the body. If the body’s source of CoQ10, is lowered, either
through Statin drugs or environmental factors, the hearts ability to
contract is greatly diminished. This subsequently results in significant
cardiac complications; including angina, heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia
and heart attack. In addition to its contribution to proper heart function,
CoQ10 is also a significant ant-oxidant. When our ability to product CoQ10
is reduced, our body’s immunity to cancer, pollution and disease can be
greatly diminished. This has been documented in a number of studies where
CoQ10 levels have been measured in people with specific cancers,
degenerative diseases, or HIV. The relation between HMG-CoA, cholesterol,
and CoQ10 has been well documented and is freely available. Subsequently,
the solution to reduced CoQ10 levels has been made extremely simple. The
solution is simply dietary supplementation with CoQ10 if you are taking a
Statin drug. Much of the diminished CoQ10 supply can be made up through
dietary supplementation. In fact, CoQ10 supplements can be purchased in the
supplement section of your local health food store. CoQ10 is essential to
proper heart health and resistance to disease. Statin drugs such as Lipitor
and Pravachol inhibit the body’s ability to product CoQ10. If not addressed,
this can increase a patient’s risk of heart disease and other cardiac
conditions. However, supplementation of CoQ10 by the use of a dietary
supplement can balance the effects of Statin drugs and ensure that the
patient’s risk of overall heart disease does not increase while his/her
cholesterol levels decrease. If you are currently taking a Statin drug to
reduce your cholesterol, talk to your doctor about supplementation with
CoQ10 to ensure your continued good health. ++++++++++++++++++ Barrett
Niehus is a principal for IP Ware software http://www.freetrainer.com as
well as a technical specialist for Compound Solutions,
http:///www.compoundsolutions.com in Escondido, California. |
|
