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Coenzyme Q10: The Wonder Nutrient
With complete references for researchers
What does congestive heart failure, gum disease and
obesity have in common? Very often, a deficiency of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). A
lack of CoQ10 has also been implicated in arrhythmias, strokes, hypertension,
heart attacks, atherosclerosis, muscular dystrophy and AIDS and many of these
diseases can be prevented and treated successfully with CoQ10. Since its
discovery and isolation 40 years ago hundreds of clinical research studies have
been done on CoQ10 and it is now abundantly clear that this nutrient is
absolutely vital to health(1-5).
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinine/ubiquinol) is a fat-soluble quinine with a structure
similar to that of vitamin K. It is a powerful antioxidant both on its own and
in combination with vitamin E and is vital in powering the body's energy
production (ATP) cycle. CoQ10 is found throughout the body in cell membranes,
especially in the mitochondrial membranes and is particularly abundant in the
heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas and adrenal glands. The total
body content of CoQ10 is only about 500-1500 mg and decreases with age(5).
Essential to the heart
Coenzyme Q10 has received particular attention in the prevention and
treatment of various forms of cardiovascular disease. It is highly effective in
preventing the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) which
leads to atherosclerosis(2,6-8). Several studies have shown that patients with
congestive heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases have significantly
lower levels of CoQ10 in their heart tissue than do healthy people and
supplementation with as little as 100 mg/day has been shown to markedly improve
their condition. CoQ10 is now approved in Japan for the treatment of congestive
heart failure(2-5,9,10).
Heart attacks and strokes produce a burst of free radicals (ischemia-
reperfusion) which can result in extensive tissue damage. Patients with high
CoQ10 levels suffer less damage from these events and Japanese researchers have
found that CoQ10 supplementation prior to and immediately following open heart
surgery is highly beneficial in preventing reperfusion injury - a common
complication in heart surgery(2,4,5,11,12). Supplementation with CoQ10 has also
been found beneficial in patients with chronic stable angina, mitral valve
prolapsed and irregular heart beat (arrhythmias)(2-5,13-15).
Coenzyme Q10 has also proven useful in the treatment of various
cardiomyopathies (diseases of the heart muscle that reduces its pumping
capacity). Studies have shown that supplementation with as little as 100 mg/day
for 12 months results in better pumping capacity (increased ejection fraction),
increased muscle strength and improved breathing(2- 4,16).
Several studies indicate that CoQ10 may be beneficial in the treatment of
hypertension (high blood pressure). A study of 109 patients with long-standing,
essential hypertension, who were on antihypertensive drugs, concluded that
supplementation with an average of 225 mg/day of CoQ10 improved functional
status, allowed about half the patients to discontinue most of their blood
pressure medications and resulted in an average decrease of systolic blood
pressure from 159 to 147 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure decrease from 94 to 85
mm Hg. Smaller, more recent Japanese studies have confirmed these
findings(2-5,17-19).
Studies at the University of Ancon in Italy have provided evidence that CoQ10
supplementation reduces blood levels of epinephrine (adrenalin) and other
catecholamine;this is believed to be partly responsible for the drop in blood
pressure and may also explain why CoQ10 is effective in reducing the incidence
of certain types of arrhythmias(2,20).
Boosts energy and brain power
Coenzyme Q10 is a great boost to heart health, but it has many other
beneficial effects. Strenuous physical exercise reduces blood levels of CoQ10
and supplementation with 60 mg/day has been found to improve athletic
performance(2,3,21). Administration of CoQ10 alone or in combination with
vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) boosts the immune system and may be useful in the
treatment of AIDS and other infectious diseases(3,22,23). An adequate level of
CoQ10 in the body is essential to proper muscle functioning and several studies
have indeed shown that supplementation with 100-150 mg/day of CoQ10 markedly
improves the condition of people suffering from muscular dystrophy(2-5,25-28).
Many overweight people have very low levels of CoQ10 and supplementation may
enable them to lose weight due to the effect of CoQ10 in speeding up the
metabolism of fats(3,4,29).
Some very recent, highly intriguing research carried out at the Institute of
Neurosciences in Argentina has shown that brain activity and alertness is
enhanced in hypertensive patients within one hour of oral administration of 100
mg of CoQ10(30).
Keeps your gums healthy and fights
cancer
CoQ10 has been used with success in combating
periodontal diseases, especially gingivitis (gum disease). Tissue affected by
gingivitis is deficient in CoQ10 and experiments have shown that
supplementation with as little as 50 mg/day can decrease inflammation. More
recent research has shown that topical application of CoQ10 dissolved in soya
oil (85 mg/ml) to affected areas (periodontal pockets) reduces bleeding and the
depth of the pockets(2-5,31-34).
Research carried out in Denmark has provided some tantalizing evidence that
CoQ10 may also be effective in the fight against certain cancers. A trial
involving the treatment of 32 breast cancer patients with mega doses of
vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 (90 mg/day) in
addition to conventional therapy showed a highly beneficial effect of the
supplementation. Two of the patients in the trial whose tumours had not
regressed had their CoQ10 dosages increased to 390 mg/day and 300 mg/day
respectively with the result that their tumours disappeared completely within
three months(3,35). CoQ10 supplementation is also very important for cancer
patients undergoing chemotherapy with heart toxic drugs such as adriamycin and
athracites. Recent research has also shown that certain cholesterol-lowering
drugs (lovastatin, etc.) block the natural synthesis of CoQ10 so
supplementation with 100 mg/day is recommended for patients taking these
drugs(2,3,36).
So how much do you need?
The body can synthesize coenzyme Q10 and it is also found in several
dietary sources, notably organ meats. The level of CoQ10 in human organs peaks
around the age of 20 years and then declines fairly rapidly. The decrease in
CoQ10 concentration in the heart is particularly significant with a 77-year-old
person having 57 per cent less CoQ10 in the heart muscle than a
20-year-old(30). Some experts involved in CoQ10 research believe that many
people, especially older people and people engaging in vigorous exercise may be
deficient in CoQ10 and may benefit from supplementation. The recommended daily
dosage for health maintenance is 30 mg; however, considerably higher amounts
are required in the treatment of the various diseases for which supplementation
has been found beneficial(2,3,37,38). CoQ10 should be taken with a meal
containing some fat or even better, in combination with soya or vegetable oil
which enhances its absorption quite substantially(3). CoQ10 supplements are
readily absorbed by the body and no toxic effects have been reported for daily
dosages as high as 300 mg. The safety of CoQ10, however, has not been
established in pregnancy and lactation, so caution is advised here until more
data becomes available(3,5).
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