Drugs as micronutrient predators
Micronutrient deficiency
Too few fruits and vegetables on the menu, too little sun, a long illness or long-lasting stress can all be reasons for a micronutrient deficiency in the body. Other reasons are the reduced content of micronutrients in fruit and vegetables due to transport, storage, preservation or cooking. What many people do not know, however, is that even long-term therapy with medication can lead to micronutrient deficiencies due to a disturbed vitamin and mineral balance. This can intensify undesired drug effects or cause other deficiency symptoms. An insufficient supply of vitamins and other micronutrients leads to metabolic disorders, which can develop into diseases of civilisation over the years, inhibit the immune system or reduce general performance.
Micro nutrient predators
One example among many for a micronutrient predator is cholesterol-lowering drugs, so-called statins. Statins are among the most prescribed drugs worldwide. They protect people with high cholesterol levels from heart attacks and strokes. However, long-term use of statins can lead to inhibition of the body's own coenzyme Q10 production, as cholesterol and coenzyme Q10 are formed from a common building block, which is then inhibited by the statins.
coenzyme Q10
The coenzyme Q10 is very important in our body for energy production in the power plants of our cells, the mitochondria. There, coenzyme Q10 is used to convert energy from food into cell energy, which is mainly important for the muscles, but also for brain performance or the function of the pancreas. This means that all organs with a high energy metabolism depend on an optimal supply of coenzyme Q10. Naturally, coenzyme Q10 is mainly found in meat, eggs, oily fish, in cold-pressed olive or wheat germ oil, in nuts or in vegetables such as onions, potatoes, spinach, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.
Side effects of statins
Statins can cause serious side effects, such as muscle weakness and muscle pain (especially during physical work), myopathies (muscle diseases) and even kidney damage. The permanent inhibition of the vital coenzyme Q10 by statins could play an important role here. However, a deficiency of Q10 also manifests itself through other symptoms such as lassitude, lack of drive or general fatigue.
Micronutrient recommendation for statin ingestion
Patients who have cardiovascular diseases or diabetes and are treated with statins should regularly take coenzyme Q10 (60 - 300 mg/day e.g. 2x 50 mg/day). This counteracts the toxic effect on the mitochondria. In addition, vitamin D and selenium help to reduce side effects and/or improve the statin effect.
PS: In addition, competitive athletes and migraine patients benefit from coenzyme Q10. One reason for this is that mitochondrial energy metabolism plays an important role in both cases.
Have you had to take medication for a long time because of a chronic illness? Do you suffer from side effects? Make an appointment with us, we will be happy to advise you!
Sources:
Qu, H., Guo, M., Chai, H., Wang, W., Gao, Z., & Shi, D. (2018). Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Statin-Induced Myopathy: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of the American Heart Association, 7(19). doi:10.1161/yaha.118.009835
Coenzymes Q10 and statin-related myopathy. (2015). Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, 53(5), 54-56.doi:10.1136/dtb.2015.5.0325
Qu, H., Meng, Y., Chai, H., Liang, F., Zhang, J., Gao, Z., & Shi, D. (2018). The effect of statin treatment on circulating coenzyme Q10 concentrations: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European Journal of Medical Research, 23(1). doi:10.1186/s40001-018-0353-6
Garrido-Maraver, J. (2014). Clinical applications of coenzymes Q₁₀. Frontiers in Bioscience, 19(4), 619. doi:10.2741/4231
Coarser, Uwe. Mikronährstoff-Beratung A workbook. Stuttgart: Scientific Publishing Company, 2018. print.
Coarser, Uwe. Medicines and micronutrients : Medication-oriented supplementation. Stuttgart: Scientific publishing company, 2018. print.
Coarser, Uwe. Micronutrients : Metabolic Tuning - Prevention - Therapy ; with 134 tables. Stuttgart: Wiss. Verl.-Ges, 2011. print.