Cholesterol lowering agents are life savers but can impact muscles. Should they be taken? Can anything be done about how they affect performance?

Table of Contents

• Statins-lifesaving drugs with real world effects f …

• Matthew Schuster & Eric Zaltas, friends, athletes …

• Episode takeaways:

  • References used for the MMB

Statins-lifesaving drugs with real world effects for some on muscle performance

Do statins inhibit cardiovascular fitness? This was the gist of what a listener concerned that the medication prescribed by his physician to decrease his cholesterol levels and admittedly decrease his risk of heart attack or stroke by as much as 20 to 25% wanted to know. Since coming onto the scene several decades ago, statins have been an incredibly valuable tool for preventing heart attacks in susceptible individuals with high LDL levels (the bad type of cholesterol). However, it wasn’t long before some of the side effects started to be seen including muscle soreness in some and decreased muscle strength in others. Even in those without soreness, markers of muscle cell damage could be seen on blood tests in many. There might be a difference between fat soluble and water soluble statins, but even with the latter that do not gain as much penetrance into muscle cells, there is still a risk. Studies have shown that strength performance is impacted by statins more than endurance performance but that there is still some impact on endurance performance as well. More recent research has attributed the muscle effects to a disruption in the formation of an important energy co-factor called CoQ10. This molecule’s synthesis is also interrupted by statins and appears to be the cause of all of the problems with muscles for those who take statins. Ongoing research is beginning to paint a picture that shows improvement and even reversal for some, of the important muscle effects of statins with supplementation of CoQ10. So if you need to be on statins the best advice is to ask your doctor for a water soluble choice and to supplement with CoQ10.

Matthew Schuster & Eric Zaltas, friends, athletes and co-founders of ADDRA labs

What does a Madison Avenue advertising executive, age group triathlete and admitted obsessive compulsive athlete have in common with a former national team cyclist, team time trial champion and food scientist for Power Bar? Apparently enough of a shared in interest to come together and form ADDRA labs, a new player in the sports nutrition market bringing applicable sports nutrition science to the makeup of protein bars.

In this first of a two-part interview, Matthew and Eric share their respective backgrounds and how their journeys brought them together. For Matthew, he was a successful advertising executive in New York City but he found himself burned out in the fall of 2019 and desperate for a change. Eric came from a pure sports background excelling in bicycle racing but always yearning to fulfill his need to acquire knowledge specifically in science. The combination of his sports background and food science interest led him to Power Bar and eventually to Nestle headquarters in Switzerland where he pushed the envelope in asking and answering questions related to sports nutrition.

In 2023, these two met fortuitously at a time when both were looking to move into new spaces. Eric needed someone with business acumen to help with his product ideas and Matthew needed something that he could be passionate about to focus his enthusiasm and talents for business. Out of this partnership came ADDRA labs and their new protein bars that feature high protein content with supplemental leucine. They talk to me about why they do things this way and where they are hoping to go next. It males for a great conversation!

Episode takeaways:

• Listeners will learn about the impact of statins on endurance athletes, including the potential muscle soreness and performance issues they might face.

• Matt's story illustrates the absurdity of life transitions, from corporate burnout to triathlon enthusiasm, showcasing passion and resilience in sports.

• The episode serves as a reminder that while the world can be chaotic, finding solace in training and community remains vital for mental health.

References used for the MMB

Ahmad, K., Manongi, N. J., Rajapandian, R., Moti Wala, S., Al Edani, E. M., Samuel, E. A., & Arcia Franchini, A. P. (2024). Effectiveness of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Statin-Induced Myopathy: A Systematic Review. Cureus, 16(8), e68316. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.68316 

Banach, M., Serban, C., Ursoniu, S., Rysz, J., Muntner, P., Toth, P. P., Jones, S. R., Rizzo, M., Glasser, S. P., Watts, G. F., Blumenthal, R. S., Lip, G. Y. H., Mikhailidis, D. P., Sahebkar, A., & Lipid and Blood Pressure Meta-analysis Collaboration (LBPMC) Group. (2015). Statin therapy and plasma coenzyme Q10 concentrations—A systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Pharmacological Research, 99, 329–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2015.07.008 

Bansal, A. B., & Cassagnol, M. (2025). HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542212/ 

Climent, E., Benaiges, D., & Pedro-Botet, J. (2021). Hydrophilic or Lipophilic Statins? Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2021.687585 

Deichmann, R. E., Lavie, C. J., Asher, T., DiNicolantonio, J. J., O’Keefe, J. H., & Thompson, P. D. (2015). The Interaction Between Statins and Exercise: Mechanisms and Strategies to Counter the Musculoskeletal Side Effects of This Combination Therapy. The Ochsner Journal, 15(4), 429–437. 

Marcoff, L., & Thompson, P. D. (2007). The role of coenzyme Q10 in statin-associated myopathy: A systematic review. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 49(23), 2231–2237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2007.02.049 

Muñoz, V. R., Gaspar, R. C., Severino, M. B., Macêdo, A. P. A., Simabuco, F. M., Ropelle, E. R., Cintra, D. E., da Silva, A. S. R., Kim, Y.-B., & Pauli, J. R. (2021). Exercise Counterbalances Rho/ROCK2 Signaling Impairment in the Skeletal Muscle and Ameliorates Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Mice. Frontiers in Immunology, 12, 702025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.702025 

Nohria, A., Prsic, A., Liu, P.-Y., Okamoto, R., Creager, M. A., Selwyn, A., Liao, J. K., & Ganz, P. (2009). Statins Inhibit Rho Kinase Activity in Patients with Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, 205(2), 517–521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2008.12.023 

Qu, H., Meng, Y., Chai, H., Liang, F., Zhang, J., Gao, Z., & Shi, D. (2018). The effect of statin treatment on circulating coenzyme Q10 concentrations: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European Journal of Medical Research, 23(1), 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-018-0353-6 

Sizar, O., Khare, S., Patel, P., & Talati, R. (2025). Statin Medications. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430940/ 

Slade, J. M., Abela, G. S., Rozman, M., McClowry, R. J., Hurley, D., Forbes, S. C., & Meyer, R. A. (2021). The impact of statin therapy and aerobic exercise training on skeletal muscle and whole-body aerobic capacity. American Heart Journal Plus: Cardiology Research and Practice, 5, 100028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahjo.2021.100028

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