Doctors routinely prescribe statin drugs to control elevated cholesterol. Some even push these drugs as a preventive medicine to people who are otherwise healthy and don’t have any history of existing heart condition such as heart attack or stroke. While statins effectively lower cholesterol levels in the body, whether this effect translates into reduced risk of heart disease or death is a highly controversial topic.
In fact, studies suggest that prolonged use of statins leads to many ill-effects such as muscle weakness, memory loss, brain fog, depression, poor immunity; and even increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cataracts. [1] [2] [3]
Statins and vitamin K2
Did you know statins also inhibit the production of vitamin K2 in the body? Vitamin K2 is an important nutrient for bone and heart health. [4] It is all related to how statins work in the body to reduce cholesterol levels.
Your liver makes cholesterol through a process called mevalonate pathway – a complex series of reactions that uses an enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. Statins inhibit this enzyme to stop the production of cholesterol, which by the way is an important molecule that supports our health in many ways. We need cholesterol to make our cell membranes, vitamin D, stress hormones and bile acids. It is also required for healthy brain functions such as learning and making new memories.
What is of even greater significance is that the ‘cholesterol-synthesis’ pathway or mevalonate pathway, that statins target, doesn’t make just cholesterol. It gives rise to many branches and sub-branches that end up producing many other important molecules such as coq10, selenoproteins, dolichols, vitamin K2, vitamin D, and stress hormones.
It is apparent that statin drugs not only affect the synthesis of cholesterol but also interfere with the production of these vital molecules that the body needs to carry out a range of critical functions. For example, CoQ10 is required for energy production and healthy heart functions. Selenoproteins protect cells and tissues from oxidation by free radicals. And dolichols are the compounds involved in making cell membranes healthy and producing glycoproteins that help in DNA repair, cellular signalling, production of brain chemicals and immune system functioning.
Now, statins also affect the production of vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 activates certain enzymes that help the body utilize calcium efficiently. These enzymes direct calcium to the bone matrix, where it is needed for making our skeletal system strong and healthy; and to prevent the accumulation of calcium in arteries and blood vessels, where it can contribute to plaque formation and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
A 2015 Japanese study found that pervasive use of statins may aggravate heart failure and atherosclerosis through multiple mechanisms. According to the study published in Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology: [5]
- Statins deplete CoQ10 and heme A, which results in poor muscle function in the heart and blood vessels.
- Statins also contribute to calcification in arteries by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K2.
While doctors have started recommending coq10 supplements to statin users, no such recommendation applies to vitamin K2, which is also depleted with the use of statins.
If you are taking statins, chances are you are K2 deficient. What compounds the problem is that vitamin K2 deficiency is more prevalent than we thought. Synthesised in the gut by bacteria, Vitamin K2 is generally found in grass-fed animal meat, fermented food products like natto and cheese (especially brie and gouda). Poor vitamin K2 levels in the body should be considered a serious risk factor for bone loss and calcification in the arteries, which can cause heart attack or stroke.
Consult your doctor and discuss your vitamin K2 requirements today, especially if you are on statins!
References:
- Ishak Mansi, Christopher R. Frei, Mary Jo Pugh, et al. Statins and Musculoskeletal Conditions, Arthropathies, and Injuries. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2013;173(14):1318-1326. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.6184.
- Cederberg H, Stančáková A, Yaluri N, Modi S, Kuusisto J, Laakso M. Increased risk of diabetes with statin treatment is associated with impaired insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion: a 6 year follow-up study of the METSIM cohort. Diabetologia. 2015
- Duane Graveline. Causes of Statin Side Effects. Spacedoc.
- Katarzyna Maresz. Proper Calcium Use: Vitamin K2 as a Promoter of Bone and Cardiovascular Health. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2015
- Okuyama H, Langsjoen PH, Hamazaki T, Ogushi Y, Hama R, Kobayashi T, Uchino H. Statins stimulate atherosclerosis and heart failure: pharmacological mechanisms. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2015 Mar;8(2):189-99. doi: 10.1586/17512433.2015.1011125. Epub 2015 Feb 6.
Disclaimer
Information on our websites, in our blogs and our emails are provided for informational purposes only, and have not been evaluated by the EMA, EFSA or FDA. It is not meant to substitute medical advice provided by your healthcare professional and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Our products are intended for adults, 18 years of age and older. While the vitamins and supplements mentioned here have been shown to have various health benefits, it is important to remember that supplements and dietary changes should be considered as part of an overall health plan and not as a substitute for professional medical treatment. Only a qualified healthcare practitioner can provide personalized advice and treatment plans based on your individual health needs and medical history, and you should seek advice from your healthcare professional before taking product(s) if you are pregnant or nursing.