John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

This week we start a series of columns looking at the most common problems in our musculoskeletal systems. This edition we will focus a common problem affecting our muscles. The term myopathy is used to describe a group of problems that cause some loss of muscle function. The term myalgia is used to describe syndromes including Polymyalgia and Fibromyalgia that cause muscle pain.

One of the most common forms of myopathy is statin myopathy. This is a collection of muscular symptoms caused by side effects of commonly prescribed cholesterol lowering statin medication. While statins are very effective at lowering cholesterol they can cause muscle problems. Statins work by inhibiting an enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) and subsequently reducing mevalonate needed to make cholesterol. Unfortunately mevalonate is also needed for the production of Co enzyme Q10.

The main function of CoQ10 is to produce the energy needed for our body demands especially in muscle cells. Think of CoQ10 like the spark plugs and exhaust system in your car engine. Without a good spark a petrol engine will not run properly. Without a good exhaust system engine exhausts will pollute the air. With insufficient CoQ10 the trillions of little engines (mitochondria) in your cells will not produce enough energy and you feel that as weakness, stiffness and pain in your muscles. Additionally CoQ10 is a potent antioxidant to clean up the barrage of toxic free radicals as by products of energy production.

If you think you have these muscular symptoms you should talk to your doctor as sometimes a change in medication can help. I recommend everyone on statins take 100mg of high grade CoQ10 to compensate. Interestingly I note an increasing number of doctors including cardiologists who suggest CoQ10 supplementation to counter statin myopathy. The one I prefer is a trademarked product that is proven to increase cell CoQ10 levels and includes compounds called tocotrienols known to help cholesterol balance. In most cases this can help muscle function by restoring lost CoQ10.

For those on statins my first goal is to prevent or reduce any statin myopathy but just as importantly to create a full cardiovascular nutrition programme. I invariably add a range of nutrients to help with circulation and to protect blood vessels especially coronary arteries from the free radical damage and inflammation central to the formation of artery-blocking plaques. Give me a call if you need help. To join my weekly newsletter go to www.johnarts.co.nz and visit www.abundant.co.nz.

John Arts is the founder of Abundant Health. To contact John phone (local) 5789051 or 0800 423 559.