The TriDoc Podcast, triathlon and health in one place · Dr. Jeff Sankoff

Ep. 189 Statins and From NYC Chaos to Triathlon Bliss: The Unlikely Journey of Two Athletes

·1 hr 5 min·1 clip

Statins prevent heart attacks but damage muscle mitochondria function.

This episode of the TriDoc Podcast features host Dr. Jeff Sankoff, an emergency physician and triathlete, alongside Coach Juliet Hockman and guests Matthew Schuster and Eric Zaltas. The medical segment addresses a listener's question about statins and endurance performance, while the main interview explores the founders' athletic journeys into sports nutrition. Dr. Sankoff and Coach Hockman examine whether cholesterol-lowering statin medications can inhibit cardiovascular fitness for athletes. They reference specific drugs like simvastatin, lovastatin, and atorvastatin, explaining their mechanism by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme. Research indicates statins can cause muscle soreness, weakness, and elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels, signaling potential muscle damage. A key insight is that statins may impair mitochondrial function by reducing coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels, vital for cellular respiration. The hosts cite a 2007 meta-analysis by Markoff and Thompson involving 765 patients, which found CoQ10 supplementation improved statin-associated myopathy. Despite potential side effects, they strongly advise athletes to take statins if prescribed, due to their proven 25% reduction in heart attack and stroke risk. For mitigation, they recommend discussing water-soluble statin options with a doctor and taking CoQ10 supplements. Coach Hockman emphasizes that athletes must proactively educate their physicians about their training loads and performance goals. The episode also includes Dr. Sankoff's personal update on his experiment with a 14-hour daily intermittent fasting protocol for weight management. Guest Matthew Schuster is a former Division I lacrosse player for Siena College and a triathlete who raced in Kona. Eric Zaltas is a former U.S. National Road Cycling Team member and National Champion in the Team Time Trial, with a master's degree in Human Nutrition. Their origin story involves sampling energy gels at a New York bike shop and sponsoring a track event on Randall's Island, which inspired their venture into the nutrition business. The tone is conversational and educational, blending medical advice with personal athlete narratives and lighthearted coaching anecdotes. Endurance athletes over 40 or those managing cholesterol medication will find the statin discussion highly relevant. Listeners seeking purely race-focused content or disinterested in medical science might find the detailed pharmacology less engaging.

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