Statins are a class of cholesterol-lowering medications prescribed to patients with high total cholesterol to reduce blood lipids and, thereby, lower risk of heart attack or stroke. However, statin use is associated with certain side effects; some research links statin drugs with deficiencies of the fat-soluble vitamins D and E. However, you should not take vitamins or other dietary supplements with statins without the approval of your physician.
Statins and Vitamin D Deficiency
According to a review article published by "Artherosclerosis" in March 2011, two cross sectional studies associate statin-related myopathy with vitamin D deficiency, possibly indicating that statins may cause vitamin D deficiency. These two studies also suggest that increasing vitamin D levels may reverse statin-related myopathy, or muscle pain, which is a common side effect of statin therapy. However, other studies indicate that certain types of statin medications actually increase vitamin D levels, according to the "Artherosclerosis" review. The review concludes that additional studies are necessary to draw firm conclusions about statins and vitamin D.
Vitamin E and Statins
Statin use has also been linked to deficiencies of other fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin E, according to a paper published in "Medical Hypotheses" in April 2010. This research suggests statin use may lower vitamin E levels in skeletal muscle, increasing the user's risk of developing statin-related myopathy. However, as with the link between statins and vitamin D, there is not yet conclusive evidence to support the hypothesis that statin-related myopathy is caused by vitamin E deficiency resulting from statin use, state the paper's authors. It is also important to note that people who take statin drugs are advised not to take supplemental vitamin E, as vitamin E supplements may interfere with the effectiveness of statins, according to Colorado State University.
Other Statin Side Effects
Besides myopathy and, possibly, certain vitamin deficiencies, statin use is also associated with other serious side effects. Statin side effects may include liver damage, digestive problems, rash or flushing, and neurological symptoms. Rarely, statins may cause rhabdomyolysis, a severe and sometimes fatal type of muscle damage. Certain risk factors are associated with increased likelihood of experiencing statin side effects including being female, a smaller body frame, being 65 or older, having liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or taking multiple cholesterol-lowering medications. With your doctor's approval, changing medications or lowering your statin dosage may help reduce statin side effects, as may coenzyme Q10 supplements, notes MayoClinic.com.
Considerations
Although some research links statin side effects with vitamin deficiencies, the exact cause of statin side effects, including statin-related muscle pain, is still not clear, according to MayoClinic.com. It's important to tell your doctor if you experience side effects from statins, and you should not take vitamin supplements with statins unless your doctor approves. If you're concerned about vitamin deficiencies, eating nutrient-rich foods may help improve your vitamin levels without the risk of taking dietary supplements. Vitamin D-rich foods include oily fish such as salmon and sardines, as well as vitamin-D fortified dairy products. Sunlight is also a critical source of vitamin D, as it is absorbed through the skin. Good dietary sources of vitamin E include nuts, whole grains and vegetable oils.
References
- "Artherosclerosis"; The Relationship of Vitamin D Deficiency to Statin Myopathy; A. Gupta, et. al; March 2011
- "Medical Hypotheses"; Do Statins Cause Myopathy By Lowering Vitamin E Levels?; F. Galli, et al.; April 2010
- Colorado State University Extension; Fat-Soluble Vitamins; J. Anderson, L. Young; May 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Statin Side Effects: Weigh the Benefits and Risks; October 2010
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