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Altocor
Depletes
Prolonged use of Altocor can impact 6 essential nutrients.
CoQ10
While studies demonstrate statins effectively lower LDL-C and apoB, research suggests they may also reduce CoQ10 levels. This vital antioxidant plays a crucial role in mitochondrial function, and deficiency can impact brain, muscle, kidney, and heart health. CoQ10 supplementation could be a helpful way to mitigate a potential deficiency when taking a statin therapy.
Replace with Ubiquinol/Ubiquinone (50mg of each)
Research: Folkers K, Langsjoen P, Willis R, et al. Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA...
NAC
Statins can lead to elevated liver enzymes, which may increase the risk of liver damage. Studies suggest that liver injury can be associated with statins and potent antioxidants like NAC with its anti-inflammatory action is associated with improved liver circulation, hepatoprotective, and therapeutic in liver conditions and disease.
Replace with N-Acetyl Cysteine (200 mg)
Research: Abdoli, Narges et al. “Protective Effects of N-acetylcysteine Against the Statins Cytotoxicity in Freshly Isolated Rat...
Vitamin D3
Statin therapy can lead to side effects such as statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS), rhabdomyolysis myopathy, and myalgia. Research has demonstrated vitamin D is associated with deficient and insufficient status in patients taking statin drug therapy. It has also found vitamin D to be successful in preventing muscle-related side effects like SAMS. Supplementation with vitamin D should be considered to avoid a potential deficiency and to help protect against muscle related side effects.
Replace with Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) (500 IU)
Research: Atalig, Anne Rase MD; DiGiulio, Mary DO. Can vitamin D supplementation decrease risk of statin-induced rhabdomyolysis in...
ALA
Statins can lead to elevated liver enzymes, which may increase the risk of liver damage. Studies suggest that liver injury can be associated with statins and potent antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid with its anti-inflammatory action is associated with improved liver circulation, hepatoprotective, and therapeutic in liver conditions and disease.
Replace with Alpha Lipoic Acid (100 mg)
Research: Stanković MN, Mladenović D, Ninković M, Ethuričić I, Sobajić S, Jorgačević B, de Luka S, Vukicevic RJ, Radosavljević TS. The...
Vitamin E
Research has found vitamin E supplementation significantly increased the antioxidative capacity of LDL, which was partially abolished by statin therapy. Supplementation with vitamin E should be considered for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the oxidation of LDL and help protect against cardiovascular diseases.
Replace with Vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol and mixed tocopherols) (30IU)
Research:
Shah S, Shiekh Y, Lawrence JA, Ezekwueme F, Alam M, Kunwar S, Gordon DK. A Systematic Review of Effects of Vitamin E on the...
Magnesium
Magnesium supplements and statin medications both inhibit the HMG-CoA and have complementary effects to reducing the production of cholesterol. Magnesium has functions that are crucial to cardiovascular and general health as a catalyst to 300 healthy reactions in the body and 100 in the heart. The association between Magnesium supplementation and statins is also able to offer some protection for painful myopathy as a side effect induced by statins, which may also boost patient compliance. According to research, patients who received the statin drug atorvastatin along with a magnesium treatment had significantly increased levels of serum magnesium, HDL (the good cholesterol), as well as significantly decreased levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Replace with Magnesium (75mg)
Research: Roxana Nartea, et al. The Link between Magnesium Supplements and Statin Medication in Dyslipidemic Patients. Curr Issues Mol...
Health Impact
Altocor-induced nutrient depletion can lead to a range of health problems
Statin-Related Muscle Pain & Fatigue
Randomized trials and meta-analyses in statin-treated patients have shown that CoQ10 depletion and/or low circulating levels are associated with muscle symptoms, while supplementation has produced mixed but suggestive improvements in statin-associated myalgia and muscle pain severity.
Research: Caso G et al. Effect of coenzyme Q10 on myopathic symptoms in patients treated with statins. Am J Cardiol....
Low Mitochondrial Energy & Antioxidant Defense
Mechanistic and clinical studies link lower CoQ10 status with impaired oxidative phosphorylation and higher markers of oxidative stress, particularly in tissues with high metabolic demand such as myocardium and skeletal muscle.
Research: Littarru GP, Tiano L. Clinical aspects of coenzyme Q10: cardiology and beyond. Antioxid Redox Signal....
Lower Glutathione & Detox Capacity
NAC is the standard antidote for acetaminophen overdose, where it replenishes glutathione and prevents hepatic necrosis; this illustrates the consequences of insufficient glutathione precursors under toxic load.
Research: Heard KJ. Acetylcysteine for acetaminophen poisoning. N Engl J Med. 2008;359(3):285-292.; Hodgman MJ, Garrard AR. A review...
More Oxidative & Inflammatory Stress
Reviews of NAC describe benefits in conditions with excessive oxidative stress and viscous secretions, suggesting that insufficient thiol antioxidant support worsens disease activity, though NAC deficiency as a clinical entity is not defined.
Research: Millea PJ. N-acetylcysteine: multiple clinical applications. Am Fam Physician. 2009;80(3):265-269.; Ershad M, Nematollahi P....
Bone Demineralization & Fractures
Meta-analyses show that low 25(OH)D levels are associated with higher fracture risk, and that combined vitamin D and calcium supplementation can reduce fractures in specific high-risk groups.
Research: Yao P et al. Vitamin D and calcium for the prevention of fracture. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(12):e1917789.; Martineau AR et al....
Higher Infection & Illness Risk
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses report that vitamin D deficiency correlates with higher infection risk and that supplementation modestly reduces acute respiratory infection risk in many trials, especially in those with low baseline levels.
Research: Martineau AR et al. Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory infections. BMJ. 2017;356:i6583.; Jolliffe DA et...
Neuropathy & Ataxia From Low E
Case series and reviews document that vitamin E deficiency, particularly in fat-malabsorption syndromes, can cause progressive sensory neuropathy and ataxia that may improve with high-dose replacement.
Research: Chan KH et al. Sensory axonopathy associated with vitamin E deficiency. Case Rep Neurol Med. 2021;2021:7971715.; Puri V et...
Side Effects
Common side effects of Altocor, some of which may be related to nutrient depletion
Review
Common side effects of Altocor (lovastatin) may include:
- Headache
- Cold symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose
- Upset stomach or indigestion
- Muscle or joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
Rare but serious side effects of Altocor may include:
- Liver problems, including elevated liver enzymes and liver failure
- Muscle damage, known as rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney problems
- Memory loss or confusion
- Allergic reactions, such as rash, hives, swelling of the face or throat, and difficulty breathing
It is important to talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects while taking Altocor, especially if they are severe or persistent.
- Headache
- Cold symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose
- Upset stomach or indigestion
- Muscle or joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
Rare but serious side effects of Altocor may include:
- Liver problems, including elevated liver enzymes and liver failure
- Muscle damage, known as rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney problems
- Memory loss or confusion
- Allergic reactions, such as rash, hives, swelling of the face or throat, and difficulty breathing
It is important to talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects while taking Altocor, especially if they are severe or persistent.
Get Support
We've developed a formula to replenish the nutrients depleted by Altocor.
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Alpha Liopic Acid
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Vitamin D3 (Cholcalciferol) (1000 IU)
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Magnesium (as Magnesium Citrate)
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Pure Encapsulations Magnesium supplement is a dietary supplement designed to support overall health by providing highly bioavailable magnesium to aid in muscle function, energy production, and cardiovascular health.
Strength: 150 mg
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Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) 33 mg; mixed tocopherols 6.6mg (providing d-gamma, d-delta and d-beta tocopherols)
by Life Extension
The Vitamin E supplement by Life Extension is designed to provide antioxidant support and promote overall health by delivering a potent blend of tocopherols and tocotrienols.
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Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) 33 mg; mixed tocopherols 6.6mg (providing d-gamma, d-delta and d-beta tocopherols)
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COQ 10 (as Ubiquinone)
by Life Extension
The CoQ10 supplement by Life Extension is a high-quality dietary supplement designed to support cellular energy production and antioxidant protection, utilizing a bioavailable form of Coenzyme Q10.
Strength: 50 mg
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N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine
by Pure Encapsulations
The NAC supplement by Pure Encapsulations provides N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, an antioxidant that supports cellular health, detoxification, and immune function.
Strength: 600 mg
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