Statin Drugs, CoQ10 and Vitamin D: What You Need to Know and Why

One of the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults is a drug from the Statin class;these drugs are intended to lower cholesterol in an effort to decrease the risk of developing a heart attack

Look around you at your co-workers, family members, friends, or even just those at the supermarket. Either you or one of these people is taking or have taken a Statin drug. It has been estimated that 8 out of 10 adults have taken a Statin drug, with over 200 million new prescriptions written each year (some are written for those who took them the previous year).

Unfortunately, they are also the most common drug that people stop taking because of its side effects. It is estimated that 54% of those taking Statin drugs stop taking them after 2 – 3 months.

Many of the side effects, however, are caused by a deficiency in CoQ10(short for Co-enzyme Q10) resulting from the action of the Statin drug in the liver. It usually takes 3 months for a person to experience the side effects of CoQ10 deficiency.

Statin drugs work in the liver to inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is responsible for manufacturing 70% of the cholesterol the body uses. However, another use of this enzyme is to manufacture CoQ10 which is essential to the body—meaning the body can make all the CoQ10 it needs so long as this enzyme is working. Without that enzyme, the body cannot make the CoQ10, and the body will suffer if the nutrient isn’t supplemented or taken into the body from the diet.

Looking at the side effects that most trouble someone taking a Statin drug, these are the signs of a deficiency of CoQ10: memory loss, depression, fatigue; shortness of breath; irregular heart rhythm, palpitations; leg cramps or heavy, aching legs; diabetes; and impotence. The main symptoms that causes people to stop taking the drug is the effect on the legs—the pain or heaviness sensation. The second-most common is loss of libido or impotence.

CoQ10 in itself has heart-protective properties. Statin drugs are intended to help reduce the risk of a heart attack; but studies have shown they have little effect on the prevention of a heart attack. Perhaps it is because the drug causes a deficiency in CoQ10.

Several of the other side effects of these drugs are caused by a deficiency of vitamin D; this drug class depletes vitamin D. These side effects are: depression, anxiety, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD); shortness of breath; muscle weakness or osteoporosis; loss of or diminished hearing; increased risk of cancer; rheumatic pain; or decreased appetite or food cravings.

Therefore, unless otherwise contraindicated, it is a good idea to supplement with both CoQ10 and vitamin D daily while taking a Statin drug. Although some doctors are recommending fish oil supplements to their patients, most fish oil supplements do not contain enough of either CoQ10 or vitamin D to offset the deficiency created by the drug. Therefore, it is recommended a person take 100mg CoQ10 and 50,000 IU vitamin D daily.

If you would like to increase your dietary intake of these nutrients, you can find higher levels of CoQ10 in fish, beef and poultry; or in pistachios or peanuts. Although you can find CoQ10 in foods, most have too low of amounts to counteract the deficiency created by a Statin drug. It is best to take a supplement.

For vitamin D, foods rich in this nutrient are cold water seafood, enriched milk, liver, and fortified cereal. If you get 20 minutes of sunshine daily (unprotected by sunscreen), you are likely getting enough vitamin D to offset the deficiency created by the drug.

Since we are talking about supplements, it may be a good idea to take a supplement to protect the liver as Statin drugs are very hard on the liver and over time, liver damage can occur. Consider a supplement such as Milk Thistle, ALA (alpha lipoic acid) or NAC (n-acetyl cysteine) to help protect the liver from damage.

As a note, be aware that a Statin drug interferes with absorption of ALL nutrients ingested; therefore, it is recommended this drug be taken at bedtime so that nutrients from your meals throughout the day get absorbed. But do not take with pomegranate or grapefruit juice as these juices increase the side effects of the drug and can greatly increase the risk of liver damage or disease. It may also cause neuropathy (nerve damage).

As always, talk to someone knowledgeable in both supplements and medical drugs before taking any supplements.

It is possible to take a medical drug and diminish or remove the side effects of that drug—sometime you need to look to nature to do it. Just be wise and make sure what you take from nature is compatible with the drug.

Divalproex Sodium Market – Opportunity Analysis 2018 – 2026

Divalproex sodium is a Food and Drug Administrator (FDA) approved anti-epileptic drug used to treat migraine headaches, manic episodes of bipolar disorders, and certain types of seizures. Divalproex sodium is known for its anticonvulsant properties for the treatment of epilepsy. Divalproex sodium comes under three dosage forms: capsule, tablet, and syrup. Divalproex sodium oral tablet is available in brand-names, Depakote ER and Depakote. Divalproex sodium is also used in various combinational therapies.

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The recommended initial dosage of Depakote for the treatment of bipolar disorders is 750 mg daily, whereas for complex partial seizures, initial dosage starts with 10 to 15 mg/kg/day. Also, recommended starting dose for migraine headache is 250 mg twice daily to achieve therapeutic response.

For instance, according to study published in JAMA Psychiatry Journal 2012, in a combined sample of 61,392 adults from 11 countries, the total lifetime prevalence of bipolar disorder-I was 0.6%, and 0.4% for bipolar disorder-II and subthreshold bipolar disorder was 1.4%, yielding a total prevalence estimates bipolar disorder spectrum of 2.4% globally.

Moreover, rising patient pool around the world affected with epilepsy and migraine headaches is also expected to boost demand for divalproex sodium market significantly. For instance, according to the World Health Organization 2018 key facts, around 50 million people were globally affected with epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological disease, and around 80% of the people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries. According to The Migraine Trust Facts and Figures estimates, the global prevalence of migraine was 14.7% for year 2013, that’s around 1 in 7 people. Furthermore, increasing awareness regarding diseases and various government initiatives to prevent head migraine is expected to propel growth of divalproex sodium market size.

However, black boxed warning given by FDA due to the hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, and high fetal risk associated with the use of divalproex sodium tablet and other known adverse reactions such as birth defects, neurobehavioral adverse effects, and suicidal behavior are expected to restrain the divalproex sodium market growth. Based on the region, the global divalproex sodium market is segmented into North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. North America, specifically the U.S. divalproex sodium market, holds a major global position among the geographies. Owing to increased government initiatives and rising research and development for the introduction of new product are expected to aid in growth of the divalproex sodium market in the region.

For instance, In 2011 The National Quality Strategy (NQS) was launched as the national strategy for quality improvement in health care, This was led by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). However, introduction of generic products by market giants in the region is expected to hamper the market growth in the region. For instance, in 2008, Mylan launched generic of Abbott’s Depakote ER in the U.S.

Information about low income health insurance in California

Medical costs are no more affordable to the common people. At times of medical emergency you must be able to avail of the appropriate treatment and a health cover will enable you with this opportunity. The government has taken a number of measures to see that the residents of California are covered by suitable medical insurance plans. Every resident must understand the importance of a suitable health care coverage and do the needful to avoid heartbreaks during emergencies for themselves or their family members.

Affordability Care Act enacted by the government is something that you must know before venturing into the arena of health care plans. In a way extending the health care coverage to the uninsured, the Affordable Care Act has come to offer a greater number of choices in front of the customers. In addition, it has also made quality health care affordable to all. The act has created what are called as health insurance exchanges in the state such as Covered California. These establishments provide the avenue for those looking forward to purchase affordable low income health insurance plans. One striking benefit of the act is as follows.

Previously, health insurance providers denied health care coverage to individuals reported with preexisting health conditions. Henceforth, they have been mandated to offer health care coverage to the needy irrespective of the preexisting conditions. One another provision makes it possible to keep the young adults stay covered under their parents’ health insurance policy until the age of 26 or till they get an independent job, whichever is earlier.

The act has also benefited the low income health care policy holders in some more useful ways. The upper limit that the insurance companies had placed on the amount paid by them to the hospitals for certain treatments including hospitalization, maternity, newborn care and rehabilitation services is now lifted off. Also the same arrangement holds good for drug prescription also. In addition, the health care insurance providers must now offer free cover to a set of preventive care services like immunizations, vaccinations, mammograms, HIV screening, blood pressure and cholesterol tests. Senior citizens will get discount for prescriptive drugs. Thus, the host of measures introduced by the act has now made it easier for low income health insurance subscribers to enjoy maximum coverage for a less spending. Therefore, a large number of uninsured individuals have been motivated to purchase a suitable health care coverage for themselves and their families.

There is a special version of Medicaid meant for California citizens implemented by the state namely Medi-cal. This is a federal sponsored health insurance program that is exclusively meant for low income California citizens and their families. The affordable care act has made provisions to extend the benefits of the Medi-cal coverage to low income adults not having any children. Provided the families and individuals meet certain eligibility requirements, Medi-cal will now offer either subsidized or no-cost medical insurance coverage. Thus, a good number of positive developments by the state have made it possible for a large number of low income health insurance seekers to obtain coverage with ease.