About StatiQinon
StatiQinon are capsules containing a formula that effectively combines the action of red yeast rice with coenzyme Q10 and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). ALA is an essential fatty acid that contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations (min. 450 mg of ALA a day).
How do traditional statins work in the body?
Statin medications remain an important medication for controlling cholesterol levels in those at risk of cardiovascular disease. Statins (also known as HMGCoA reductase inhibitors) have received criticism, however, for their potential side-effects, including muscular fatigue, weakness and pain 1.
Statin medication lowers cholesterol by interrupting the mevalonate pathway, a chain of biochemical reactions the body uses to produce cholesterol. However, the actions of statins also reduce production of various other products made by the body, including CoEnzyme Q10. Evidence suggests that Q10 suppression brought about by statins may account for some of the side-effects of the treatment 2.
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Graph: Atorvastatin decreases the coenzyme Q10 level in the blood of patients. 3
How does StatiQinon work?
StatiQinon combines the natural cholesterol-lowering potential of red yeast rice with protective coenzyme Q10 and ALA.
Red yeast rice - Natural statins
Statins are synthetically manufactured drugs intended for lowering cholesterol, but there are also naturally occurring statins. For instance, the oyster mushroom naturally contains lovastatin and natural statins are found in red yeast rice (RYR).
Produced by culturing rice with multiple yeast strains, RYR contains high levels of monacolin K- a substance that's structurally identical to the active ingredient in certain statins (such as lovastatin).
Red yeast rice extract works in a similar way to encourage healthy cholesterol levels. Randomized clinical trials have found natural statins to be both effective and well tolerated - also in most individuals who do not tolerate synthetic cholesterol-lowering drugs.
What is coenzyme Q10?
Coenzyme Q10 (Q10) is a vitamin-like substance found in the mitochondria in each of our cells, with one of Q10's main roles is to support energy production. Specifically, Q10 is mostly utilized in the 'electron transport chain', the final stage of respiration which converts our digested food into energy.
Busy organs such as the heart and skeletal muscles contain more mitochondria, undergo more respiration and have a great dependence on adequate Q10. Without adequate Q10, the heart and muscles may to work effectively.
Q10 supplementation is associated with a reduction in statin symptoms when taken alongside statins, and has been found to decrease muscle pain and weakness. 4,5
What is ALA?
ALA is short for ”alpha-linolenic acid”, a type of omega-3 fatty acid that is found in plants. ALA is an essential fatty acid meaning that it can't be produced by the body but must be obtained through the diet. Dietary sources for ALA include flaxseed, canola, soy, and walnuts. ALA is effective for maintaining normal cholesterol levels by decreasing circulating cholesterol.
References
1. Coenzyme Q10 and cardiovascular disease: an overview. British Journal of Cardiology. 2015;.
2. Langsjoen P, Langsjoen A. The clinical use of HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors and the associated depletion of coenzyme Q10. A review of animal and human publications. BioFactors.2003;18(1-4):101-111.
3. Atorvastatin decreases the coenzyme Q10 level in the blood of patients. Ref. Arch. Neurol. 2004 Jun;61(6): 889-92.
4. Caso G, Kelly P, McNurlan M, Lawson W. Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Myopathic Symptoms in Patients Treated With Statins. The American Journal of Cardiology. 2007;99(10):1409-14
5. Fedacko J, Pella D, Rybar R, Fedackova P, Mechirova V. Abstract: 604 COENZYME Q10 AND SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION IN PATIENTS WITH STATIN-ASSOCIATED MYOPATHY. Atherosclerosis Supplements. 2009;10(2):e357.
6. Mortensen S, Rosenfeldt F, Kumar A, Dolliner P, Filipiak K, Pella D et al. The Effect of Coenzyme Q 10 on Morbidity and Mortality in Chronic HeartFailure. JACC: Heart Failure. 2014;2(6):641-649.
