Are your cholesterol drugs making you tired? This is why.

Welcome to Part Five in our Cholesterol series where we separate the common myths from reality around what your Doctors tell you and why.

Too many times in clinic, I have observed patients who are on statins (cholesterol lowering drugs) when all other facets of their health and lifestyle are normal.

Statins act by inhibiting a particular enzyme (HMG-CoA Reductase) which is responsible for creating cholesterol (HDLs, LDLs, and VLDLs…the whole lot).

This enzyme is also responsible for synthesizing CoQ10, the vital heart nutrient that naturally prevents cholesterol plaques blocking the arteries, lower blood pressure and most importantly, gives us energy. In fact, about 90-95% of our energy is a result of the action of CoQ10.

When a patient takes the statin, not only does it kill off the production of cholesterol, but it also inhibits CoQ10 production. Which is why patients feel lethargic and fatigued, have muscle pain, suffer from confusion, diarrhoea, migraines, and hair loss just to name a few.

Interestingly, some cardiologists who are aware will suggest their patients who take statins, to also take high doses of CoQ10 as it is vital for preventing Heart failure, cardiomyopathy, heart attack recovery, high blood pressure, migraines, and much more.

My argument is why patients should be on statins, when they should be on elevated levels of CoQ10, and have a modified diet that helps to excrete the bad cholesterol from the body.

Many people who are informed that they have high levels of cholesterol, immediately eradicate red meat and dairy from their diet (as a side note, high concentrations of CoQ10 is found in animal flesh).

Given that up to 30% of the cholesterol comes from the diet, reducing these foods will have a little impact, however in some cases it may be the wise thing for someone to do.

Recently, research suggests increasing foods like oats, barley and some mushrooms which are high in beta glucan, assist in lowering cholesterol. Also a high fibre diet, particularly soluble fibre, may help by binding bile acids (made from cholesterol) and excrete them in faeces.

Good sources of soluble fibre include fruits, vegetables, oat bran, barley, seed husks, flaxseed, chia seeds, figs dried or fresh, psyllium, dried beans, lentils and peas.

Also, a diet rich in antioxidants, such as berries, fruits, dark green leafy vegetables, helps to reduce the level of oxidation of cholesterol and thus prevent plaque formation.

Article by Victoria Tsoleridis Clinical Nutritionist