Medicine Information

Increase Your Risk of Heart Disease With Lipitor and Pravachol


Results of a new study comparing the effectiveness of Pfizer Inc.,'s Lipitor with Pravachol, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb, was recently published in the New York Times. The study details the clinical observation that Lipitor was significantly more effective than Pravachol in lowering patient's LDL cholesterol levels. However, the study did not comment on the overall effect that Statin drugs have on patient health, or the research that indicates Statins may actually increase your risk of heart disease and heart attack.

Statin drugs have been proven effective in the reduction of LDL cholesterol in most patients. However, the bio-chemical reactions that the drugs use to decease cholesterol also inhibit the production of an important nutrient that is essential for good heart health; specifically CoQ10.

Lipitor and Pravachol work by inhibiting the body's ability to make an enzyme called HMG-CoA. This enzyme is the precursor to two compounds, cholesterol and CoQ10. Because the intent of Statin drugs is to inhibit cholesterol production, this method of suppression is very effective in reducing cholesterol levels. However, by suppressing the manufacture of HMG-CoA, and subsequently CoQ10, the body actually becomes more susceptible to heart attack, angina, congestive heart failure, and many other pulmonary-related diseases.

CoQ10 is found in every cell in the body and is necessary for proper energy utilization, resistance to disease, and cardiac health. The compound is so necessary that it's chemical name is actually ubiquinone, because of its ubiquitous presence in the body. By suppressing the mechanism that makes CoQ10, Statin drugs such as Lipitor and Pravachol put patients at significant risk of heart disease, as well as reduce overall resistance to cancer and other diseases.

CoQ10 is used by the heart and other muscles to facilitate contraction as blood is pumped through the body. If the body's source of CoQ10, is lowered, either through Statin drugs or environmental factors, the hearts ability to contract is greatly diminished. This subsequently results in significant cardiac complications; including angina, heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia and heart attack.

In addition to its contribution to proper heart function, CoQ10 is also a significant ant-oxidant. When our ability to product CoQ10 is reduced, our body's immunity to cancer, pollution and disease can be greatly diminished. This has been documented in a number of studies where CoQ10 levels have been measured in people with specific cancers, degenerative diseases, or HIV.

The relation between HMG-CoA, cholesterol, and CoQ10 has been well documented and is freely available. Subsequently, the solution to reduced CoQ10 levels has been made extremely simple. The solution is simply dietary supplementation with CoQ10 if you are taking a Statin drug. Much of the diminished CoQ10 supply can be made up through dietary supplementation. In fact, CoQ10 supplements can be purchased in the supplement section of your local health food store.

CoQ10 is essential to proper heart health and resistance to disease. Statin drugs such as Lipitor and Pravachol inhibit the body's ability to product CoQ10. If not addressed, this can increase a patient's risk of heart disease and other cardiac conditions. However, supplementation of CoQ10 by the use of a dietary supplement can balance the effects of Statin drugs and ensure that the patient's risk of overall heart disease does not increase while his/her cholesterol levels decrease. If you are currently taking a Statin drug to reduce your cholesterol, talk to your doctor about supplementation with CoQ10 to ensure your continued good health.

About The Author

Barrett Niehus is a principal for IP Ware software http://www.freetrainer.com as well as a technical specialist for Compound Solutions, http:///www.compoundsolutions.com in Escondido, California.


MORE RESOURCES:

WNCT

Three Employees Fired After Patient Chokes on Medicine, Dies
FOXNews - 13 hours ago
GOLDSBORO, NC — North Carolina officials have fired three employees and disciplined others in the death of a patient who was neglected for more than 22 ...
Firings a good first step in neglect case CharlotteObserver.com
all 31 news articles


Voice of America

When the Caregiver Becomes the Patient
Washington Post, United States - 5 hours ago
The study was published in the November issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine. "Our findings opened our minds to the fact that society needs to ...
Ginko Results On Memory Contradict Studies, Chinese Medicine InjuryBoard.com
Ginkgo biloba doesn't prevent dementia, study finds Los Angeles Times
Ginkgo can't prevent Alzheimer's in those older than 75 Food Consumer
The Associated Press - RedOrbit
all 516 news articles


Research and Markets: This Global Research Report in Medicine and ...
MarketWatch - Nov 19, 2008
Nanomaterials, nanophotonics, nanoelectronics and nanoscience in medicine & biology represent the largest concentration of R&D. ...


Old Crow Medicine Show to perform Dec. 3
Boone Mountain Times,  USA - 7 hours ago
Once playing for donations on the streets of Nashville and later headlining the city’s historic Ryman Auditorium, Old Crow Medicine Show has come full ...
Old Crow Medicine Show promises energetic set ASU The Appalachian Online
all 2 news articles


Costa Rica arrests 6 for medicine shipments to US
The Associated Press - 23 hours ago
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — A Costa Rican official says two Americans and four others have been arrested for allegedly sending restricted pharmaceutical ...


ReachMD Announces New Strategic Partnership with American Medical ...
MarketWatch - 4 hours ago
Dr. Charles A. Crecelius, President of AMDA says, "ReachMD provides a great opportunity to reach a large audience about advances in long term care medicine. ...


SonoSite Introduces S-FAST Vascular Access Option for Safer ...
MarketWatch - 6 hours ago
It's difficult to imagine practicing emergency medicine today without ultrasound guidance." "Using ultrasound reveals anatomy previously unseen. ...


Carlos V. Paya, MD, PhD, to Join Elan as Company President
MarketWatch - 20 hours ago
... which began with his acceptance into the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in 1984 and concluded with a six-year tenure as Professor of Medicine, ...


Personal medicine is goal of Eli Lilly & Co.
Arizona Republic, AZ - 23 hours ago
Still, Taurel said the role of personalized medicine has come at a slower pace than some had hoped for after scientists completed the Human Genome Project. ...


Canada.com

Outgoing HHS Secretary Offers Advice For Advancing Personalized ...
Pharmacogenomics Reporter (registration), NY - Nov 19, 2008
Leavitt is largely regarded as a champion for the advancement of genetics and genomics research by personalized medicine stakeholders. ...
Video: FDA to Open Offices in China, India AssociatedPress
FDA's 1st foreign branch opened Boston Globe (registration)
US food, drug regulator opens first overseas office in Beijing Xinhua
TopNews - The Money Times
all 1,349 news articles

Medicine - Google News

home | site map | Dr. Thad Thomas
© 2006