The Medication Millions of People Take Every Day Could Deplete a Key Nutrient, Doctors Warn

Modern medicine has helped us virtually eliminate life-altering and deadly infectious diseases with vaccines. It has also improved cancer survival rates and helped people live longer, healthier lives, even with chronic conditions like heart disease.

You shouldn’t be afraid to go on medication if you need it, but staying aware of potential side effects is key.

“Understanding potential side effects isn’t about scaring patients—it’s about empowering them,” explains Dr. Tahmid Rahman, MD, the co-director of the Center for Advanced Lipid Management at the Stony Brook Heart Institute. “When people know what to watch for, they’re more likely to have honest conversations with their doctors rather than quietly stopping a medication that could be saving their life. That open dialogue is everything.”

Another cardiologist agrees, saying all medications have potential side effects.

“It is important to understand the possible side effects, as it will help us understand if someone is experiencing a temporary mild symptom or whether they are experiencing a serious reaction that requires medical attention,” explains Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. “This will also help us keep patients on medications that are beneficial to their health.”

Dr. Rahman and other providers explain that an open dialogue with a doctor is especially important in the age of modern technology (hi, TikTok), where misinformation about medications and other interventions can run rampant.

“It’s equally important that patients understand the difference between a proven side effect and something that’s been assumed or exaggerated over time,” he tells Parade. “Not every symptom that occurs while taking a medication is caused by that medication.”

One medication millions of people take could deplete a key nutrient, however. Below, doctors discussed the nutrient, why it’s unlikely you need to panic and what to do if you’re concerned.

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The Common Medication That Could Deplete a Key Nutrient

“Statins can decrease blood and tissue levels of CoQ10 by interfering with its production,” Dr. Chen says.

If you’re unfamiliar with statins and CoQ10, all of this might as well be written in a foreign language.

“Statins are a well-studied medication that are used to reduce the ‘bad’ cholesterol in the body,” explains Dr. Sirisha Vadali, MD, a non-invasive cardiologist and advanced lipidologist for HonorHealth. “These have been proven to lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes and prevent heart plaque from forming in certain patients.”

CoQ10 is a substance your body makes naturally. “It is a source of energy production specifically in the muscles,” Dr. Vadali adds. “It has a modest but very real antioxidant property that helps protect your cells from damage.”

OK, so how are statins and low CoQ10 connected? “This is where things get a little technical, but I’ll keep it simple,” says Dr. Ryan Kaple, MD, the director of the Structural & Congenital Heart Program at Hackensack University Medical Center. “Your body uses a specific pathway to make cholesterol. Statins work by blocking a key step in this pathway.”

Interestingly, Dr. Kaple says your body uses the same pathway to make CoQ10. “So, when you block cholesterol production, you can also unintentionally lower your CoQ10 levels,” he explains.

Some people on statins may experience low CoQ10 as a result. “Very low CoQ10 levels can potentially result in fatigue, muscle weakness and pain,” Dr. Chen says. “We think that levels do decrease with age.”

Millions of people take statins for their cholesterol. Should you panic? “This is a great question, and the honest answer is, we don’t have a clear-cut answer,” Dr. Kaple says, adding that the research is mixed. “The most important thing is to listen to your body. If you’re on a statin and start having muscle aches, don’t just ignore them. Talk to your doctor. It might be related to the statin, or it could be something else entirely.”

Either way, it can put you on the path to more energy and less pain without sacrificing your cholesterol levels.

Related: ‘I’m a Cardiologist—This Is the First Thing I Always Look at in a Patient’s Lab Results’

Should I Take a COQ10 Supplement if I’m on a Statin?

“This is another area where the research is mixed,” Dr. Kaple says. Indeed, some studies suggest that taking a CoQ10 supplement is helpful for statin-related muscle pain. Other studies don’t show a benefit.

“It’s not a magic bullet,” he emphasizes. “Here’s the most important part: Don’t just start taking CoQ10 on your own. Talk to your doctor first. Supplements aren’t regulated in the same way as medications, so the quality can vary. Also, your doctor needs to know everything you’re taking to avoid any potential interactions. And third, your muscle pain might not even be from the statin, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis.”

Related: Is Fatty Liver Disease Reversible? Experts Share the Truth

What To Do if Your COQ10 Is Low and You’re on a Statin

If you notice muscle pain and are taking a statin, Dr. Kaple suggests speaking with your doctor. They can discuss several options to help you, such as:

• Take a “statin vacation.” Unfortunately, this vacation doesn’t involve a white-sand beach. “Your doctor might have you stop taking the statin for a short time to see if the muscle pain goes away,” he says.
• Change your dose. Dr. Kaple points out that some people notice fewer side effects on a lower dose of the same statin.
• Switch to a different statin. There are many types of statins, so your body may tolerate a different one better than the one you currently take.
• Try a different medication. Dr. Kaple shares that your doctor can recommend a different type of cholesterol-lowering medication if statins don’t work for you.
• Lifestyle changes. Remember, a holistic approach to heart health is important. “A healthy diet and regular exercise can sometimes lower your cholesterol enough to reduce your need for a high statin dose,” Dr. Kaple explains.
• Check for other issues. Honestly? Your muscle pain may have nothing to do with a statin, which is why it’s so important to talk to your doctor before self-diagnosing. “Your doctor might want to check your thyroid or vitamin D levels, as problems with either of these can also cause muscle pain,” Dr. Kaple says.
• Avoid things that can make it worse. Control what you can. “Things like drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of muscle problems with statins,” he shares.

Keep in mind that all of the above is possible, but the conversation with your doctor is paramount. Dr. Rahman points out that statins are life-saving and effective, so you owe it to yourself to make an informed decision with a trusted, licensed doctor.

“Doctors recommend statins for patients at elevated risk of heart attack or stroke, including those with a prior cardiovascular event, diabetes, high blood pressure or a strong family history of heart disease,” he says. “Over the past 40 years, in studies involving more than 400,000 patients, statins have been proven to save lives. That benefit is real, well-established and not something to walk away from lightly.”

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Sources:

• Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center
• Dr. Tahmid Rahman, MD, the co-director of the Center for Advanced Lipid Management at the Stony Brook Heart Institute
• Dr. Sirisha Vadali, MD, a non-invasive cardiologist and advanced lipidologist for HonorHealth
• Dr. Ryan Kaple, MD, the director of the Structural & Congenital Heart Program at Hackensack University Medical Center
• Evidence review for statins: efficacy and adverse effects. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
• Statin Medications. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
• Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Statin‐Induced Myopathy: An Updated Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of the American Heart Association.
• Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Statin Treated Patients: A Double-Blinded Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Antioxidants (Basel).