Healthy aging in your 70s

Statin drugs are prescribed to people with high cholesterol levels and other health conditions associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Statins are effective at reducing cholesterol in the blood because they decrease the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver.  Statins work along the same pathway the body uses to create CoQ10 (ubiquinone), however, and their use is known to decrease the production of CoQ10. Ubiquinone (CoQ10) is a precursor molecule that is transformed into ubiquinol.  This means that people taking statins over time may have lower levels of CoQ10 and ubiquinol. Over time, some people may experience muscle discomfort and weakness.

In a study done in 2012 (Zlatohlavek), 30 participants taking statins and experiencing muscle discomfort were instructed to take Kaneka Ubiquinol^® for 6 months. At baseline, the participants were shown to have deficient blood levels of CoQ10 which steadily increased with supplementation and nearly doubled by 6 months. At the end of the study, muscle discomfort decreased by 54% and weakness decreased by 44% compared to baseline. These findings were statistically significant and demonstrate that Kaneka Ubiquinol supports muscle health in patients taking statins.

Reference

Zlatohlavek L, Vrablik M, Grauova B, Motykova E, Ceska R. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2012;33 Suppl 2:98-101. PMID: 23183519.

The health of the cardiovascular system is evaluated by assessing various physical factors including the heart’s structure and function, the condition and flexibility of the blood vessels, and blood flow to and from the heart. Healthy blood vessels are an important hallmark of cardiovascular health. Flexible vessels allow the body to adjust blood flow quickly and appropriately depending on the need. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as the “bad” type of cholesterol, and when it is oxidized, it can stick to vessel walls and lead to the vessel walls being less flexible, affecting circulatory system health. However, ubiquinol acts as an antioxidant and attaches to LDL in the blood so that it’s less likely to be oxidized. Ubiquinol also helps protect cells and vessels from free radical damage, supporting the body’s ability to maintain vessel health, flexibility, and function.

In a controlled trial by Sabbatinelli in 2020, 51 people with moderately increased levels of cholesterol in their blood took either Kaneka Ubiquinol® (either 100 mg or 200 mg) or a placebo once a day for 8 weeks. Researchers measured the amount of oxidized LDL and the amount of total CoQ10 in their blood, as well as how flexible their blood vessels were (also known as “flow mediated dilation” or FMD) before and after the 8 weeks of the trial.

Those taking ubiquinol showed 37% better vessel flexibility compared to baseline when taking 100 mg per day for 8 weeks, and 35% better flexibility when taking 200 mg per day. Both improvements were statistically significant and did not occur in the group taking a placebo.

The researchers also conducted an experiment on the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation using blood samples from these groups at the end of the study. The susceptibility of LDL to oxidation was lower in the group that took Kaneka Ubiquinol^® compared to those who took the placebo, showing that ubiquinol was able to protect LDL from oxidation, an important factor in maintaining the health of blood vessels.

This study demonstrates that taking Kaneka Ubiquinol^® promotes vessel health and healthy blood circulation.

Reference

Sabbatinelli J, Orlando P, Galeazzi R, Silvestri S, Cirilli I, Marcheggiani F, Dludla PV, Giuliani A, Bonfigli AR, Mazzanti L, Olivieri F, Antonicelli R, Tiano L. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 15;12(4):1098.