Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is an energetic little nutrient considered crucial for cellular energy production. Concentrated in microscopic cellular organs called mitochondria, it is one of a select number of nutrients that has been the subject of intense study over the last 20 years.

In healthy individuals, CoQ₁₀ is found in high concentrations in the heart, kidneys, and liver. In addition, CoQ₁₀ is an important antioxidant associated with cholesterol transport that also plays a role in reducing both cellular and cardiovascular oxidative stress.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

Given the immense energy requirements of the heart muscle, it is no surprise that CoQ₁₀ is concentrated in this tissue and that much of the original research explored cardiovascular benefits. More recently, researchers have refined their approach, examining the beneficial role of CoQ₁₀ in conditions that involve impaired mitochondrial function and increased oxidative stress.

Research Excerpts

High Blood Pressure

A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted involving 83 participants taking 60 mg of CoQ₁₀ twice daily. At the end of the trial the average decline in systolic blood pressure was 17.8 mm Hg. This was a significant outcome and suggests that CoQ₁₀ may be an effective treatment for mild hypertension.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers from Canada’s National Research Council have shown that CoQ₁₀ protects brain cells from damage resulting from oxidative stress. This finding highlights CoQ₁₀ ’s potential in the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Parkinson’s Disease

A placebo-controlled study involving 80 Parkinson’s patients over a period of 16 months realized significant improvements for those using CoQ₁₀ in dosages varying from 300 mg to 1,200 mg per day. Benefits were closely related to CoQ₁₀ intake, with those receiving 1,200 mg daily achieving maximum benefit.

Migraines

Research results presented at the 2004 American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting demonstrated that CoQ₁₀ supplementation could reduce the occurrence of migraine attacks by as much as 50 percent. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 42 subjects. Approximately 48 percent of the CoQ₁₀ group, who consumed 100 mg of CoQ₁₀ per day, experienced a 50 percent reduction in headache frequency during the three-month study.

Heart Transplant Patients

Some 32 patients with end-stage heart failure, awaiting heart transplants, participated in a three-month study to evaluate the benefits of CoQ₁₀ supplementation. The study demonstrated that a majority of participants showed significant improvement in areas such as quality of life and reduction of fatigue.

Drug-induced CoQ₁₀ Deficiency

Drugs that are used to control elevated cholesterol levels, such as statins, are known to reduce CoQ₁₀ levels in the body. It has been suggested that this drug-induced deficiency is the reason for the common side effect of muscular pain associated with statin use. It is also believed to be the reason why persons with Parkinson’s disease sometimes worsen when using statins.

Supplementation

CoQ₁₀, specifically the more common ubiquonone form, has always had a reputation for poor absorption, particularly when taken as a dry encapsulated powder. This can be improved somewhat by taking a softgel product with an oil base. Micellized ubiquonone (processed to improve the absorption of fat-soluble compounds) is better absorbed, as is ubiquinol, the reduced form of CoQ₁₀.

The studies seem clear–supplementation with this energetic little nutrient could have a far-reaching impact on overall health and well-being.

CoQ₁₀ Shows Potential

An analysis of current research from the Mayo Clinic indicates that CoQ₁₀ shows treatment potential in the following areas:

• High blood pressure
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Migraines
• Recovery from heart attack and heart surgery
• Angina
• Muscular dystrophy
• Macular degeneration
• Gum (periodontal) disease
• Asthma
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Friedreich’s ataxia
• Kidney failure