Beta-Blockers
Common brand names: Metoprolol, Atenolol, Carvedilol, Propranolol
Two nutrients listed against this medication. The most severe is marked moderate.
At a glance
One of the two is marked well documented. The other one carries its own evidence level.
At a glance
- CoQ10Moderate · Mechanism only, no human trial
- MelatoninModerate · Well documented
Color shows how serious each listed effect is. The label beside it shows how strong the evidence is. The cards below explain each one and show its evidence.
Nutrients it can lower
Mechanism, Beta-blockers inhibit CoQ10-dependent mitochondrial enzymes in isolated heart tissue, and this is the usual mechanistic explanation offered for the fatigue and exercise intolerance reported on therapy. The inhibition is an in-vitro finding and varies sharply by drug; it has not been shown to lower CoQ10 in patients.
Common signs, Fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, worsening heart failure symptoms, cold extremities
Kishi et al. (Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol, 1977; PMID PubMed ID: the permanent number the US National Library of Medicine gives a published paper. Each one links to that paper's record on PubMed. 17892): propranolol inhibited mitochondrial CoQ10-NADH-oxidase in vitro; timolol was negligible and metoprolol markedly weaker, so the effect is not uniform across the class. No human trial demonstrates CoQ10 depletion on beta-blockers.
CoQ10 was used at 200–300 mg daily with meals. CoQ10 use in cardiac care is well documented and is typically discussed with a cardiologist.
Mechanism, Beta-blockers suppress nocturnal melatonin secretion by blocking beta-adrenergic stimulation of the pineal gland, the primary driver of melatonin synthesis.
Common signs, Insomnia, poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue, disrupted circadian rhythm
Brismar et al. (Acta Med Scand, 1988; PMID 3291558): beta-blockers (e.g. metoprolol) reduced nocturnal melatonin secretion.
Melatonin was used at 0.5–3 mg, 30–60 minutes before bed. The lowest effective dose is used, since higher doses are not more effective.
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Disclosure
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any grade on this page describes the strength of published human trial evidence in the populations studied. It is not a recommendation for any individual and is not medical advice. Starting, stopping or changing any supplement or medication is a decision for your physician.
Grades move when new trials publish. A free monthly email lists every grade EBL moved, with the reason and the trial behind it: the sign-up is on the Evidence Log →