If you take statins, you should take Ubiquinol

Learn About Ubiquinol Kaneka

Statins are one of the most commonly used medications to lower LDL cholesterol and protect cardiovascular health. For many people, especially when there is a high cardiovascular risk, they are an important medical tool and should not be discontinued without professional supervision.

But there is one point that is discussed less: by blocking cholesterol synthesis, statins can also reduce the body's internal production of coenzyme Q10, an essential molecule for cellular energy. And that is where an increasingly relevant question arises: if you take statins, does it make sense to consider Ubiquinol?

What do statins have to do with CoQ10?

To understand this, we need to look at the mechanism. Statins work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a key role in a metabolic pathway known as the mevalonate pathway. This pathway is involved in the production of cholesterol, but also in the production of coenzyme Q10.

Coenzyme Q10 is not a vitamin. It is a molecule that the body produces naturally and is found in the mitochondria, those small "powerhouses" of our cells. Its main function is to help produce ATP, the energy used by the muscles, heart, brain, and practically all tissues in the body.

That is why, when CoQ10 levels drop, tissues with the highest energy demand may notice it more. And among them, muscle is one of the most sensitive.

Muscle pain, fatigue, and statins: a known relationship.

Not everyone who takes statins experiences discomfort. In fact, many tolerate them perfectly. But in a percentage of patients, statin-associated muscle symptoms can appear, known as SAMS for the English acronym: statin-associated muscle symptoms.

These symptoms can include muscle pain, weakness, cramps, fatigue when exercising, or a feeling of reduced exercise tolerance. These symptoms can affect approximately 10-25% of statin users, although the exact prevalence varies depending on the studies and how they are measured.

The hypothesis is simple: if statins reduce some of the available CoQ10, and CoQ10 is involved in mitochondrial energy production, some people may experience more difficulty in allowing their muscles to produce energy efficiently. This does not mean that all muscle discomfort is due to CoQ10, but it is an important factor to consider.

What science says about CoQ10 and statins.

Scientific studies have found benefits from CoQ10 supplementation in people with statin-associated muscle symptoms.

A review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Heart Association analyzed clinical trials on CoQ10 in statin-induced myopathy and found that supplementation was associated with a reduction in muscle symptoms such as pain, weakness, cramps, and fatigue, although without significant changes in creatine kinase, a marker of muscle damage.

On the other hand, previous reviews had been more cautious. A 2015 meta-analysis did not find a clear significant benefit, showing that the topic still has nuances and should not be presented as a universal solution.

More recently, a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Nutritional Science re-evaluated the role of CoQ10 in patients treated with statins and associated muscle symptoms, finding favorable results in the reduction of these symptoms.

The most balanced reading would be this: CoQ10 seems especially interesting in people who take statins and already experience muscle discomfort, fatigue, or weakness, rather than as an automatic recommendation for everyone.

Ubiquinone or Ubiquinol: what is the difference?

Coenzyme Q10 can mainly be found in two forms: ubiquinone and ubiquinol.

Ubiquinone is the oxidized form. The body can convert it into ubiquinol, which is the reduced and active form. The problem is that this conversion can become less efficient with age, in situations of greater oxidative stress, or when there is a higher mitochondrial demand.

That is why, in people over 40-50 years old, or in those seeking more direct support for cellular energy, Ubiquinol is the direct way to obtain CoQ10 because it has greater bioavailability, especially in adults or people with poorer mitochondrial function.

In other words: it is not just about taking CoQ10, but about choosing a form that the body can utilize well. And that form is Ubiquinol.

Why muscle and the heart need so much CoQ10.

Skeletal muscle and the heart have something in common: they need energy constantly. Every muscle contraction, every heartbeat, every physical effort requires ATP.

CoQ10 participates in the electron transport chain, an essential process within the mitochondria to generate energy. When this process does not work optimally, more fatigue, lower performance, or a feeling of weakness may appear, especially during exertion.

In addition, CoQ10 also acts as a fat-soluble antioxidant, helping to protect sensitive cellular structures from oxidative damage. This is relevant because mitochondrial function and oxidative balance are two central aspects of functional aging.

So, who should consider taking Ubiquinol?

Ubiquinol may be especially interesting for people who take statins and experience any of these scenarios: muscle pain, cramps, or weakness since starting treatment; greater fatigue when exercising; age over 50; use of high-dose statins; or greater concern about cellular energy and mitochondrial function.

It can also be an option to consider for people who, without having very marked symptoms, want to talk to their doctor or pharmacist about how to better support their statin treatment.

The important thing is not to do it out of fear. Statins have a clear medical role when properly indicated. The goal is not to replace them or question their use, but to understand that some people may need more personalized nutritional support.

How to take it and what precautions to take.

CoQ10 is fat-soluble, so it is usually absorbed better when taken with a meal that contains some fat. In clinical studies on statin-associated muscle symptoms, variable doses have been used, although many studies range from 100 to 200 mg daily.

Even so, the specific regimen must be individualized. If you take anticoagulants such as warfarin, have kidney disease, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking several medications, it is especially important to consult a healthcare professional beforehand.

And a key idea: do not stop taking a statin on your own. If there is muscle pain, fatigue, or discomfort, the right thing to do is discuss it with your doctor to evaluate blood tests, dosage, the type of statin, and possible alternative causes.

Longévitas and the cellular approach.

At Longévitas, we talk a lot about cellular health because that is where much of functional longevity begins. Energy, strength, recovery, mental clarity, and the ability to keep up with daily life depend, to a large extent, on how our mitochondria work.

That is why Ubiquinol fits into a vision of smart supplementation: not as an isolated solution, but as a support tool when there is a specific need. Especially in people who take statins, who have a higher energy demand, or who seek to care for their mitochondrial function over time.

Our Longévitas Ubiquinol Kaneka, a patented product with scientific studies that guarantee its bioavailability above other ubiquinols on the market, provides CoQ10 in its active form, a high-quality option for those seeking to support cellular energy in a precise and well-tolerated way.

If you take statins, Ubiquinol should not be seen as a fad, but as a smart conversation worth having. Science shows that statins can reduce CoQ10 levels, and that in some people with muscle symptoms, supplementation can help improve tolerance and muscle well-being.

It is not a universal recommendation nor does it replace medical advice. But if you take statins and notice muscle pain, fatigue, cramps, or lower energy, perhaps your body is asking for something more than lowering cholesterol: perhaps it also needs to better sustain its cellular energy.

Scientific references used: Qu et al., Journal of the American Heart Association, 2018. Banach et al., Pharmacological Research, 2015. Kovacic, Habicht & Eckert, Journal of Nutritional Science, 2025. Article: If You Take a Statin, You Probably Need CoQ10. Here’s Why, Superpower, 2026.