Coenzyme Q10, which is found in each of your body’s cells, plays a pivotal role in heart health. It helps the cells’ mitochondria — which are their “power houses” — produce energy, allowing your heart to function properly.

But CoQ10 plays a special role if you are taking statins. One of the main side effects of statin drugs is muscle pain.

It is estimated that at least 10 percent of people on statins experience muscle pain, which, if severe, can inhibit patients from exercising.

Clinical trials have shown that CoQ10 may decrease the likelihood of this type of muscle pain from occurring, or reduce its severity.

In addition, CoQ10 supplementation has been shown to help decrease oxidation, which is the process that can lead to hardening of the arteries.

Therefore, supplementing with CoQ10 may not only help treat statin-induced muscle pain, but also decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke.

I instruct patients on statins to take between 200 and 400 mg of CoQ10 daily.