This is what you must know if you are prescribed a statin for your high cholesterol. If your low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol is 200 mg/dl or higher, you will likely be prescribed a statin medication. However, the optimal LDL cholesterol target goal for the general population is 150 mg/dl.
Usually, most health care providers give you 3 months to lower your cholesterol with diet before staring a stain. Nevertheless, medication will be started immediately for diabetics people at high risk for cardiovascular disease, and people with metabolic syndrome.
Stain medication will lower your LDL cholesterol and decrease your risk of having a heart attack. Research has shown that statins prevent death from heart disease. Zocor (Simvastatin), Lipitor (Atorvastatin), and Crestor (Rosuvastatin calcium) are some examples of statin drugs. You should see results in 4-6 weeks after starting the medication.
Your health care provider may want to recheck your LDL 6 to 8 weeks after starting and 6 weeks later. Then ever 6 to 8 weeks after any medication adjustment. Once you get to your goal LDL (less than 200 mg/dl or 150mg/dl), it is recommended to check your LDL every 8-12 weeks for 1 year.
Some people take statins without any problems at all, but others develop side effects, which limits its use. Hypothyroidism or obesity make you more at risk for experiencing the side effects of statins. Many times muscle pain does not start up until you have been on the statin for about 9 months.
Side effects of statins include:
– Diabetes
– Memory loss
– Muscle aches
– Muscle tenderness
– Muscle weakness that may be severe (seek immediate care to prevent disability)
– Headache (Low CoQ10)
– Abdominal cramping or pain, bloating or gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation
– Difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dizziness
– Flushing of the skin, rash
– Dark urine
– Fatigue
– Irritability
These side effects are usually resolved when the statin is stopped. Some statins are tolerated well by the general population than other statins. When you eat too much sugar and carbohydrates, your cholesterol will increase. Eat at least 5 fruit or veggies a day to decrease cholesterol in addition to limiting your sugar and carbohydrates.
Statin drugs cause your body to stop producing coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10). This is responsible for the fatigue or weakness you may feel on this drug. CoQ10 is also known as ubiquinone, and it converts your food into energy. It may be taken as a supplement or you can get it from eating certain foods such as:
– Organ meats such as liver
– Wild caught fish
– Grass fed butter
– Nuts
– Avocados
– Sweet potatoes
If you are tolerating statin drugs with no problems, ask your health care provider if you should take CoQ10 supplements. You can purchase COQ10 from any drug store or health food store. Here is a link where you can get the brand I recommend:
Otherwise, ask your health care provider if it is okay to eat COQ10 rich foods.
Resources
Qu, H., Guo, M., Chai, H., Wang, W., Gao, Z., Shi, D. (2018). Effects of coenzyme Q10 on statin-induced myopathy. Journal of the American Heart Association. Retrieved from https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/JAHA.118.009835
Carr, T., Ash, M., & Brown, A. (2010). Cholesterol-lowering phytosterols: Factors affecting their use and efficacy. Nutrition and Dietary Supplements. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279411469_Cholesterol-lowering_phytosterols_factors_affecting_their_use_and_efficacy
