Canadian Authorities Now Require that Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Advertisements Must Carry Warnings about the Dangerous Results of Taking these Drugs.

The popular cholesterol-lowering prescription drugs called statins have grown into a huge business; statins are the most widely prescribed class of drugs in history. Unlike the U.S., Canadian regulatory authorities require several additional warnings regarding the statin drugs. These hazards are clearly spelled out in the Canadian ads: Statins lower coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels and they raise Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] blood levels. The world needs to know that scientists have discovered a perfectly safe and natural alternative statin.

(PRWEB) April 3, 2004 --Unlike the U.S., Canadian regulatory authorities require several warnings regarding statin cholesterol-lowering drugs. These popular prescription drugs, including Lipitor and Zocor, lower coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels and they raise Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) blood levels.

Low CoQ10 is considered to be a primary cause of congestive heart failure, and elevated Lp(a) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease that exceeds the risk of LDL cholesterol.

"Because the U.S. does not require such warnings in drug ads, few American doctors are aware of these hazards," writes Owen Fonorow, director of the Houston-based Vitamin C Foundation. "Our doctors know that tiny amounts of artificial statin drugs can damage the liver, but they are not aware that these drugs also increase the risk of heart failure and the need for heart transplant."

In May of 2003, two citizen petitions were filed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting that the agency educate consumers about taking CoQ10 alongside the prescription medication. According to Julian Whitaker, M.D., who filed the petitions, statin drugs block the endogenous biosynthesis of CoQ10. "A deficiency of CoQ10 is associated with impairment of myocardial function, with liver dysfunction and with myopathids, including cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure," Whitaker writes.

All statins – natural or artificial -- lower cholesterol by blocking the same essential enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. In 1985, Harwood, et. al., discovered that ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is the human bodys natural HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, without the liver-destroying potential.

Fonorow writes,"People need to know that there is a perfectly safe and natural alternative statin - vitamin C." When vitamin C levels are low, the body compensates and manufactures more cholesterol. When serum levels are high, Vitamin C inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, which predictably lowers cholesterol.

"It appears from the studies and reports we have read that the proper dose of vitamin C is between 6000 and 8000 mg daily for 3 to 6 months in order to achieve a substantial cholesterol-lowering effect in those with high cholesterol," said Fonorow.

Unlike artificial statins, vitamin C protects the liver, increases CoQ10 synthesis and reduces Lp(a) - which hundreds of studies have identified as the true culprit in cardiovascular disease.    

It is estimated that 15 million Americans take statin drugs.