Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an important nutrient in the human body. It is a fat-soluble vitamin-like compound that is also known as ubiquinone from the word ubiquitous, which means “everywhere.” Coenzyme Q or ubiquinone compounds are synthesized in the cells of all living organisms including plants, animals, and humans. There are 10 coenzyme Q compounds that occur throughout nature, but only coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in humans.
In 1958, Professor Karl Folkers elucidated the chemical structure of coenzyme Q10 while working at Merck, Inc. Working with minute quantities, Folkers was able to determine that CoQ10 had great promise in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. However, Professor Folkers was not able to convince his superiors to pursue the development of CoQ10 because Merck had recently launched their new drug in the cardiovascular arena called Diuril. Consequently, the formula and patent rights for coenzyme Q10 were sold to a Japanese company. The Japanese quickly developed new methods of synthesizing large quantities, and coenzyme Q10 has become a popular recommendation for the treatment for cardiovascular disease in Japan. Although coenzyme Q10 is widely used throughout Europe and Asia, its value is just beginning to be recognized in the United States.
30-300mg daily.
30mg daily.
Softgel capsules containing CO-Q10 suspension in oil, powder-filled hardshell capsules, powder-based tablets, and liposomal sprays.
None established
30mg twice daily
Interactions and Depletions
Coenzyme Q10.
Since coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble substance, absorption depends upon an individual’s fat digestion efficiency. Coenzyme Q10 is best absorbed if it is taken with a meal that contains some fat so that fat digestion is initiated. The absorption of coenzyme Q10 varies widely depending on the type of coenzyme Q10 product that is ingested.
Coenzyme Q10 appears to be very safe. No studies have reported toxicity or adverse side effects.
Patients who are taking medications for various forms of cardiovascular disease should be closely monitored if they choose to begin using coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 strengthens the heart, which has enabled 43% of patients with various forms of cardiovascular disease to discontinue from 1 to 3 medications within 4 to 6 months.(
1) Reducing or discontinuing prescription medications must be supervised by the attending physician.
Plays a role in the production of energy within the mitochondria. It is the coenzyme enzymes that are involved in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the high-energy fuel for all living cells. Coenzyme Q10 is a necessary component in Complex I, II, and III, which explains why CoQ10 plays such a critical role in energy production.(
2) CoQ10 was found to be beneficial during repeated bouts of supramaximal exercises by enhancing performance.(
3)
This fat-soluble antioxidant protects cellular membranes throughout the body from oxidative damage. It is uniquely able to reside in mitochondrial cell membranes where it provides protection against mitochondrial DNA free radical damage.(
4),(
5)
Coenzyme Q10 has proven to be a critical agent in the health of the cardiovascular system as well as an effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases.(
6),(
7)
It has been reported that adequate levels of coenzyme Q10 are required for the health of gingival tissues and that gingival deficiencies of CoQ10 may predispose individuals to periodontal disease.(
8)
Helps to protect against the side effects of numerous classes of drugs, many of which actually cause drug-induced depletions of CoQ10.(
9)
Researchers found that Co Q10 was effective and tolerable in the treatment of cyclic vomiting syndrome (condition of recurring attacks of intense nausea and vomiting).(10)
CoQ10 deficiency may play a role in pediatric and adolescent migraine, therefore, supplementation may be beneficial.(11)
Results from a study indicated that CoQ10 supplementation decreased the risk of exercise-induced muscle injury in athletes.(12)
Co-Q10 proved to be a very effective treatment in a dose dependent manner. A majority of patients receiving high doses returned to normal within one week.(
13)
Patients on Co-Q10 had increased cardiac function and exercise tolerance, reduced leg pain, less fatigue, and better limb control.(
14)
Approximately 50 percent of obese patients were found to be Co-Q10 deficient and those taking Co-Q10 lost more than twice as much weight as controls.(
15)
Co-Q10 strengthens the heart, substantially reduces mortality and is shown to be a safe and effective in long-term therapy for chronic cardiomyopathy.(
16)
Co-Q10 is a critical adjuvant complementary therapy for patients with congestive heart failure; it improves quality of life and increases survival.(
17) In a review of studies, it was reported that Co-Q10 improves ejection fraction, exercise tolerance, cardiac output, and stroke volume in patients with CHF.(
18)
At an average dose of Co-Q10 225mg/day resulted in a significant lowering of blood pressure and 56 of 109 patients (51%) were able to completely discontinue use of from 1 to 3 antihypertensive medications within six months.(
19) Pre-eclampsia is a medical condition where hypertension arises in pregnancy. A study found that pregnant women at high risk for pre-eclampsia when supplemented with Co-Q10 reduced the risk of developing pre-eclampsia by 10 percent.(
20)
Coenzyme Q10 is transported throughout the body by being packaged into the LDL + VLDL fractions of cholesterol. Thus, this important antioxidant may be one of the most important agents to prevent and treat atherosclerosis due to its ability to prevent the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol.(
21),(
22)
Studies indicate that coenzyme Q10 may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). For example in the MPTP model of PD, treatment with Co-Q10 is able to prevent much of the MPTP-induced loss of striatal dopaminergic neurons.(
23) It has also been determined that PD patients have lower platelet mitochondrial Co-Q10 levels than controls, as well as reduced activity of Complex I in the electron transport chain in the brain.(
24) Oral Co-Q10 was well absorbed by patients and improved Complex I activity, which suggests that Co-Q10 may help improve the cellular dysfunction and help prevent the neuronal deterioration that occurs in patients with Parkinson’s disease.(
25),(
26)
A clinical trial has also been completed evaluating the use of Co-Q10 on patients with PD. Eighty patients with early PD were randomized to one of three Co-Q10 groups (300, 600 or 1,200 milligrams per day) or a placebo group in a multicenter, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. The patients were followed for up to 16 months and were evaluated using the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) at screening, baseline, and the 1-month, 4-month, 8-month, 12-month and 16-month visits. The researchers concluded that Co-Q10 was safe and well tolerated and that those receiving Co-Q10 developed less disability than those taking placebo. The greatest benefit was in those taking the highest dosage of Co-Q10 (1,200 mg/d).(27)
In infertile men, one study reported an inverse correlation between Co-Q10 content and sperm count in seminal plasma and the percentage of sperm with abnormal morphology.(
28) In another study, treatment with CoQ10 resulted in improved sperm motility and improved rates of fertilization.(
29)
Co-Q10 provided a 50 percent decrease in the frequency of angina episodes and the use of nitroglycerin along with significant increase in exercise capacity.(
30)
Numerous cases of advanced metastasized breast cancer have gone into remission with high-dose coenzyme Q10 therapy.(
31)
Co-Q10 provides significant protection against cardiac damage in patients receiving either of the anthracycline agents (doxorubicin or daunorubicin); the incidence of diarrhea and mouth ulcers is also reduced.(
32)
Many diabetic individuals have a deficiency of, and low activity of Co-Q10 -synthesizing enzymes; Co-Q10 deficiency may hinder the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin.(
33)
Patients have been found to be coenzyme Q10 deficient locally (in gingival tissue), as well as systemically (in leucocytes); gingival deficiency could predispose this tissue to periodontal disease.(
34)
It has been suggested that coenzyme Q10 is one of the nutritional agents that could be beneficial in the treatment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.(
35)
Symptoms and Causes of Deficiency
There is only a limited amount of coenzyme Q10 in dietary sources. The majority of CoQ10 in humans is manufactured by the body’s cells. The biosynthesis of coenzyme Q10 is a 17-step process that requires the following nutrients: riboflavin (B
2), niacinamide (B
3), pantothenic acid (B
5), pyridoxine (B
6), cobalamin (B
12), folic acid, vitamin C, and numerous other trace elements.(
36) Consequently, there are many ways the complex synthesis of coenzyme Q10 can be interrupted. It is probable that many people with health problems are suffering from a coenzyme Q10 deficiency due to inadequate dietary intake of the necessary nutrients and/or ingestion of one or more drugs that interrupt the synthesis of coenzyme Q10.(
37)
The symptoms of coenzyme Q10 deficiency include: congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, angina, mitral valve prolapse, stroke, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, lack of energy, gingivitis, and a generalized weakening of the immune system.
Since coenzyme Q10 is intimately involved in the production of energy, a deficiency of CoQ10 first affects the heart and cardiovascular system because the heart is the most energy demanding muscle in the human body. The results of some studies are suggesting that congestive heart failure is primarily a coenzyme Q10 deficiency disease.
Although coenzyme Q10 occurs in the cells of all plants and animals, dietary sources do not provide adequate levels of this nutrient.