Coenzyme
Q10 (also known as CoQ10, Q10, vitamin
Q10, ubiquinone, or ubidecarenone)
is a compound that is made naturally
in the body. A coenzyme is a substance
needed for the proper functioning
of an enzyme, a protein that speeds
up the rate at which chemical reactions
take place in the body. The Q and
the 10 in coenzyme Q10 refer to
parts of the compound’s chemical
structure.
Studies
on mice showed an increase of 50%
extension of life span with the
administration of Coenzyme Q-10.
Coenzyme
Q10 is used by cells to produce
energy needed for cell growth and
maintenance. It is also used by
the body as an antioxidant. An antioxidant
is a substance that protects cells
from chemicals called free radicals.
Free radicals are highly reactive
chemicals that can damage important
parts of cells, including deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA). (DNA is a molecule inside
cells that carries genetic information
and passes it from one generation
to the next.) This damage may play
a role in the development of cancer.
Coenzyme
Q10 is found in most body tissues.
The highest amounts are found in
the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas.
The lowest amounts are found in
the lungs. Tissue levels of coenzyme
Q10 decrease as people get older.
Laboratory
studies of coenzyme Q10 have focused
on describing its chemical structure
and how it works in the body. Animal
studies have found that coenzyme
Q10 stimulated the immune system
and increased resistance to disease.
Coenzyme Q10 helped to protect the
hearts of animals given the anticancer
drug doxorubicin, which can cause
damage to the heart muscle.
The
promising results from animal studies
of coenzyme Q10 and the anticancer
drug doxorubicin led researchers
to test coenzyme Q10 in a randomized
clinical trial with 20 patients.
(A randomized clinical trial is
a study in which the participants
are assigned by chance to separate
groups that compare different treatments;
neither the researchers nor the
participants can choose which group.)
The researchers examined whether
coenzyme Q10 would protect the heart
from the damage caused by doxorubicin.
The results of this trial and others
have confirmed that coenzyme Q10
decreases the effects of doxorubicin
on the heart. However, no report
of a randomized clinical trial of
coenzyme Q10 as a treatment for
cancer has been published in a peer-reviewed,
scientific journal.
Three
other small studies were conducted
using coenzyme Q10 as a dietary
supplement in patients undergoing
conventional cancer treatment. In
these studies, the researchers explored
the potential use of coenzyme Q10
as an adjuvant therapy for cancer.
The
first study, which was conducted
in Denmark, involved 32 breast cancer
patients. All of the participants
received coenzyme Q10 and several
other dietary supplements, in addition
to their standard treatment. Six
of the patients were reported to
show some signs of remission (disappearance
of the signs and symptoms of cancer).
However, the data were not complete,
and information that suggested remission
was presented for only three of
the six patients. All of the participants
reported decreased use of painkillers,
improved quality of life, and absence
of weight loss during treatment.
In
a followup study, one new patient
and one of the patients who had
a reported remission were treated
with high doses of coenzyme Q10
for 3 to 4 months. Both of the patients
had breast cancer remaining after
surgery. After the period of high-dose
coenzyme Q10 supplementation, both
patients appeared to experience
complete regression (decrease in
the size or extent) of their remaining
cancer. However, it is not known
which of the six patients with a
reported remission in the first
study took part in the followup
study.
In
a third study conducted by the same
researchers, three breast cancer
patients were given high-dose coenzyme
Q10 and followed for 3 to 5 years.
One patient had complete remission
of cancer that had spread to the
liver, another had remission of
cancer that had spread to the chest
wall, and the third had no evidence
of breast cancer remaining after
surgery.
It is important to note that problems
with the design of these studies
may have influenced their results.
For example, the studies did not
have control groups (all patients
received coenzyme Q10), and there
may have been differences in the
characteristics of patients who
were selected for the followup study
and those who were not. Other factors
that may have affected the results
include the following: the participants
received a variety of supplements
in addition to coenzyme Q10, and
they received standard treatment
either during or just before coenzyme
Q10 supplementation. Therefore,
it is impossible to determine whether
any of the beneficial results was
directly related to coenzyme Q10
therapy.
There
have also been anecdotal reports
that coenzyme Q10 has increased
the survival of patients with cancers
of the pancreas, lung, colon, rectum,
and prostate. (Anecdotal reports
are incomplete descriptions of the
medical and treatment history of
one or more patients.) The patients
described in these reports also
received treatments other than coenzyme
Q10, including chemotherapy, radiation
therapy, and surgery.
No
serious side effects have been reported
from the use of coenzyme Q10. Some
patients using coenzyme Q10 have
experienced mild insomnia (inability
to sleep), elevated levels of liver
enzymes, rashes, nausea, and upper
abdominal pain. Other reported side
effects have included dizziness,
visual sensitivity to light, irritability,
headache, heartburn, and fatigue.
Patients
should talk with their health care
provider about possible interactions
between coenzyme Q10 and prescription
drugs they may be taking. Certain
drugs, such as those that are used
to lower cholesterol or blood sugar
levels, may reduce the effects of
coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 may also
alter the body’s response
to warfarin (a drug that prevents
the blood from clotting) and insulin.
It
is Coenzyme Q10 that is the coenzyme
for at least three mitochondrial
enzymes as well as other enzymes
in the cell. The mitochondrial enzymes
are essential for the production
of high-energy adenosine phosphates
(ATP).
It
has been found to be effective with
a variety of health problems, and
great promise has been shown in
assisting with cancer treatment,
protecting patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Studies showed that patients taking
90 mg of this compound experienced
less pain and increase in appetite
and decreased metastases.
Studies
using 300 -900 mg, reported partial
or total remission. People who stay
thin and slim, yet eat a lot have
much higher levels of this compound
in their blood, and it also assists
with fuel efficiency within the
cells, which also assists weight
loss.
People
suffering from periodontal disease
may also be deficient in this compound,
as it has a protective and strengthening
action in all tissues. (This is
why it is also beneficial to the
heart muscle.)
Deficiency
of Coenzyme Q10
When we are deficient of this compound
in our system, our general health
will start deteriorating and should
levels drop 25% below the optimum
levels, many diseases may start
progressing, diseases like high
blood pressure, heart attack, angina,
immune depression, periodontal disease,
lack of energy and weight gain.
People
suffering from congestive heart
failure and taking coenzyme Q10
should NOT stop taking it suddenly-
since sudden withdrawal may intensify
the symptoms of congestive heart
failure.
Toxicity
and symptoms of high intake
Toxicity and side effects are not
known, but pregnant or breast-feeding
mothers should not take it in supplement
form.
In
extreme dosages, such as 600 - 1200
mg per day headaches, heartburn,
fatigue, diarrhea and skin reactions
have been reported.
Best
used with
Since the compounds are fat soluble,
it is best to take it with dietary
fat present.
When
more may be required
If liver function becomes compromised,
it cannot manufacture Q10 from the
other Q coenzymes, and this production
also diminishes with age.
People
suffering from angina, HIV, male
infertility, diabetes, periodontal
disease, high blood pressure, cancer
and those undergoing chemotherapy
may all benefit from an increase
in CoQ10.
Food
sources of Coenzyme Q10
Good sources are found in beef,
soy, mackerel, sardines, spinach,
peanuts, soybeans and vegetable
oil.
MECHANISM
OF ACTION:
CoQ10 is necessary for adenosine
triphosphate (ATP) production. It
has an established role as a mobile
electron carrier in the mitochondrial
electron-transfer process of respiration
and coupled phosphorylation, and
has a direct regulatory role on
succinyl and NADH dehydrogenases.
CoQ10 is a lipid-soluble antioxidant
and like vitamin C, reduced CoQ10
effectively regenerates alpha-tocopherol
from the alpha tocopheroxyl radical.
CoQ10 has been demonstrated to scavenge
free radicals produced by lipid
peroxidation and prevent mitochondrial
deformity during episodes of ischemia,
and it may have some ability to
maintain the integrity of myocardial
calcium ion channels during ischemic
insults. Its major mechanism of
action is protection of ischemic
tissue from reperfusion damage.
CoQ10 appears capable of stabilizing
cellular membranes and preventing
depletion of metabolites required
for ATP resynthesis.
SPECIAL
DIETARY USEFULNESS:
This product may have special dietary
usefulness, under a physician’s
supervision, for patients diagnosed
with congestive heart failure and
Parkinson’s disease.
PUBLISHED
RESEARCH STUDIES:
A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled,
double-blind, dose-ranging trial
(1), examined 80 otherwise healthy
patients with early Parkinson disease
(PD). Patients received placebo
or coenzyme Q10 at dosages of 300,
600, or 1200 mg daily, split into
4 doses. The subjects underwent
evaluation with the Unified Parkinson
Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) at
the screening, baseline, and 1,
4, 8, 12, and 16-month visits. They
were followed up for 16 months or
until disability requiring treatment
with levodopa had developed. The
primary response variable was the
change in the total score on the
UPDRS from baseline to the last
visit.
The
adjusted mean total UPDRS changes
were +11.99 for the placebo group,
+8.81 for the 300-mg/d group, +10.82
for the 600-mg/d group, and +6.69
for the 1200-mg/d group. The P value
for the primary analysis, a test
for a linear trend between the dosage
and the mean change in the total
UPDRS score, was.09, which met prespecified
criteria for a positive trend for
the trial. A prespecified, secondary
analysis was the comparison of each
treatment group with the placebo
group, and the difference between
the 1200-mg/d and placebo groups
was significant (P =.04). The researchers
found coenzyme Q10 was safe and
well tolerated at dosages of up
to 1200 mg/d. Less disability developed
in subjects assigned to coenzyme
Q10 than in those assigned to placebo,
and the benefit was greatest in
subjects receiving the highest dosage.
Coenzyme Q10 appeared to slow the
progressive deterioration of function
in PD.
In
a study published in the journal
Clinical Investigation (2), the
authors report the improved cardiac
function in patients with congestive
heart failure treated with coenzyme
Q10 supports the hypothesis that
this condition is characterized
by mitochondrial dysfunction and
energy starvation, so that it may
be ameliorated by coenzyme Q10 supplementation.
However the authors also report
that the main clinical problems
in patients with congestive heart
failure are the frequent need of
hospitalization and the high incidence
of life-threatening arrhythmias,
pulmonary edema, and other serious
complications. Thus, they studied
the influence of coenzyme Q10 long-term
treatment on these events in patients
with chronic congestive heart failure
(New York Heart Association functional
class III and IV) receiving conventional
treatment for heart failure. Participants
were randomly assigned to receive
either placebo (n = 322, mean age
67 years, range 30-88 years) or
coenzyme Q10 (n = 319, mean age
67 years, range 26-89 years) at
the dosage of 2 mg/kg per day in
a 1-year double-blind trial. The
number of patients who required
hospitalization for worsening heart
failure was smaller in the coenzyme
Q10 treated group (n = 73) than
in the control group (n = 118, P
< 0.001). Similarly, the episodes
of pulmonary edema or cardiac asthma
were reduced in the control group
(20 versus 51 and 97 versus 198,
respectively; both P < 0.001)
as compared to the placebo group.
The results demonstrate that the
addition of coenzyme Q10 to conventional
therapy significantly reduces hospitalization
for worsening of heart failure and
the incidence of serious complications
in patients with chronic congestive
heart failure.
ADVERSE
REACTIONS:
Occasional nausea, diarrhea, and
appetite suppression may occur.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Do not take Coenzyme Q 10 with Warfarin.
RECOMMENDED
USE:
Take 1 to 3 softgels daily with
meals.
STORAGE:
Store in a cool, dry place.
