March 27, 2017/Heart Health

Can a CoQ10 Supplement Help If I’m Taking a Statin?

The Short Answer from a cardiologist

CoQ10

This a question that I get in my clinic a lot. CoQ10 is a co-enzyme that may be related to muscle damage. There were some studies that showed that replacing the co-enzyme could reduce the risk of muscle damage when you’re on a statin, but most studies have shown that is not the case.

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In large meta-analyses, there has not been shown to be a benefit when you take CoQ10 pills. Because of that, I say if you’re not already taking these supplements, I don’t recommend that you start taking them. But if you’re taking them and you feel that it helps, there’s no harm from staying on them.

— Preventive cardiologist Haitham Ahmed, MD, MPH

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