|
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.
|