What are statins?

Statins are a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs that work by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is plays a central role in the liver’s synthesis of cholesterol. Randomized clinical trials (RCT) show that statins are most effective when given to patients who already suffer from cardiovascular disease (CVD). They are, however, also widely used without CVD but who suffer from elevated cholesterol levels and/or other risk factors like diabetes and hypertension. There are many different types of statins, some with a more potent LDL-lowering effect than others.

How do statins work?

Statins inhibit the enzyme HGM-CoA reductase and its ability to produce mevalonate, which is an intermediate product in the multi-step synthesis of cholesterol. In what is often referred to as the mevalonate pathway, mevalonate would under normal circumstances undergo a number of biochemical transformations, eventually causing it to branch into several different compounds, including cholesterol and ubiquinone. Statins effectively block this process.

Facts about statins:

• Statins lower cholesterol by slowing down the production of cholesterol produced in the liver and by increasing the liver's ability to remove the LDL-cholesterol in the blood
• Statins can reduce serum levels of Q10 significantly
• Some adverse effects from statins can be attributed to their Q10 lowering effects
• Statins are both synthetically manufactured drugs and natural substances