Coenzyme Q-10-Supplement

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Coenzyme Q-10-Supplement

Natural Sources- Therapeutic Uses-References

 

Therapeutic Uses: - Aging Disorders- Alzheimer's Disease

- Antioxidant- Atherosclerosis- Brain Functioning- Cancer Prevention

- Cancer Treatment- Cellular Regeneration- Cirrhosis- Congestive

Heart Failure- Dental Health- Energy Boosting

- Fatigue- Gingivitis- Gum Health- Heart Health Maintenance

- High Blood Pressure- Hypertension- Immunodeficiency- Immune System

Boosting- Liver Health Maintenance- Lou Gehrig's Disease

- Memory Loss- Mental Functioning- Obesity- Periodontal Health

- Vascular Disorders- Weight Loss

 

Overview:

 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10) is known as ubiquinone, stemming from

the root word ubiquitous that means " found everywhere " , as this

coenzyme is found in every cell of the body except mature red blood

cells.

 

CoQ-10 is a powerful antioxidant that is naturally produced

by the body. Scientists are hailing this coenzyme as being one of

the most important antioxidants for postponing aging and preventing

or treating heart disease and cancer.

 

CoQ-10 is primarily concentrated in tiny powerhouse organelles

within cells called mitochondria, but it is also found in varying

amounts in all cell membranes.

 

CoQ-10 is essential for the energy production of cells

and is most concentrated in heart and liver cells that contain

thousands of mitochondria for energy production.

 

 

The main function of Coenzyme Q10 in the inner membranes of

mitochondria is to act as an important carrier of electrons in the

electron-transport chain. A deficiency of Coenzyme Q10 may impair

the body's normal ability to convert nutrients into ATP to supply

energy to cells, and it may also impede proper muscle function.

 

One study showed that pre-treatment with Coenzyme Q10 minimized

myocardial injury caused by heart bypass surgery and improved heart

function, compared to patients not pre-treated with Coenzyme Q10.

 

Another study found that 150 mg of Coenzyme Q10 reduced the

frequency of angina by up to 46% while improving the capacity for

physical activity in those patients.

 

Other clinical trials have shown that Coenzyme Q10 has the

ability to reduce elevated blood pressure in hypertensive

individuals and inhibits atherosclerosis through dissolving into low-

density lipoprotein (LDL) particles and " preventing oxidation " of

cholesterol.

 

CoQ10 supplements have also been shown to make certain cancers

disappear, boost the immune system, improve athletic performance,

improve fat metabolism and weight loss, reduce fatigue

associated with liver cirrhosis, reduce gum inflammation and treat

gingivitis.

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Chemistry:

 

Coenzyme Q-10 is a quinone derivative similar to vitamin K with a

long isoprenoid tail that can insert itself into fatty cell

membranes.

 

As a coenzyme it supports the action of enzymes involved in energy

production within cells (i.e. it supports the adenosine

triphosphate (ATP) cycle).

 

The liver normally synthesizes Coenzyme Q10 and maintains an

estimated 500-1500 mg of Coenzyme Q10 in the entire body. However,

CoQ-10 levels within the body decline with age and are also

diminished by stress, infections and cholesterol-lowering drugs.

 

Coenzyme Q10 is particularly abundant in the heart, lungs, liver,

kidneys, spleen, pancreas and adrenal glands. Coenzyme Q10 has three

major functions within a cell. It serves as a highly mobile carrier

of electrons between the flavoproteins and the cytochromes of the

electron-transport chain in mitochondria; it neutralizes free

radicals generated in the energy-making process; and it helps

protect the integrity of mitochondrial membranes.

 

Coenzyme Q10 was first isolated in 1956 by Dr. Federick

Crane at the University of Wisconsin as an orange-colored compound

from beef heart.

 

Dr Karl Folkers identified the molecular structure of Coenzyme Q10

in 1958 and hypothesized that when Coenzyme Q10 levels dropped below

25% (resulting in a 75% deficiency), death would occur.

 

In 1961, Dr. Peter Mitchell at the University of Edinburgh in

Scotland determined how Coenzyme Q10 produces energy at the cellular

level.

Dr. Karl Folkers at the University of Texas was

the first to begin using Coenzyme Q10 to promote a healthy heart and

cardiovascular system in 1972.

 

By 1995, over 10 million Japanese people were taking Coenzyme Q10

daily. Sales of CoQ-10 finally began to increase in North America in

1999.

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Suggested Amount:

The recommended daily dose for Coenzyme Q10 is 30 mg; however, no

toxic effects have been reported at daily doses as high as 390 mg.

 

Coenzyme Q10 is readily absorbed by the small intestine, and a

steady-state concentration can be attained in the body in 5-6 weeks.

 

A clinical trial with significant results for heart patients used a

dosage of 120 mg daily for three months and found this level to be

very safe with no toxic effects.

 

Strenuous exercise *reduces* blood levels of Coenzyme Q10, and

supplementation with 60 mg/day has been found to improve athletic

performance.

 

Many overweight people have low levels of Coenzyme Q10, and

supplementation may help them maintain a normal body weight though

enhanced metabolism of fat.Coenzyme Q10 is also found concentrated

in fatty fish (mackerel and sardines);organic peanuts,

spinach and broccoli.

 

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Note: Individuals over the age of 35 begin to decline in their

ability to synthesize Coenzyme Q10 and so supplementation is

recommended to slow the aging process. Poor eating habits, stress

and infections also increase the body's need for Coenzyme Q10.

 

 

 

Drug Interactions:

Certain cholesterol-lowering drugs block the natural synthesis of

Coenzyme Q10. (i.e. statin drugs including cholestyramine,

colestipol and coenzyme A reductase inhibitors).

 

Therefore,supplementation with 100 mg Coenzyme Q10 a day has been

recommendedfor individuals taking these drugs.

 

Contraindications:

The safety of Coenzyme Q10 has not been established for pregnant or

nursing mothers, so supplements are not recommended in these cases.

 

Side Effects:

Coenzyme Q10 is deemed one of the safest substances ever tested. It

has not produced any toxic side effects when ingested by humans or

animals. The only very rare side effect noted from taking oral

dosages has been mild transient nausea. It is listed in the 42nd

edition of the Physicians Desk Reference as replacement therapy for

a nutrient, and no adverse reactions are listed.

 

 

References:

Burke BE, Neuenschwander R, Olson RD. 2001. Randomized, double-

blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in isolated systolic

hypertension. South Med J 2001 Nov; 94(11): 1112-7.

 

Carper, J. 1995. Stop Aging Now. HarperCollins Publishers, 10 East

53rd Street, New York, New York 10022-5299. Pp. 138-147.

 

Munkholm H, Hansen HH, Rasmussen K. 1999. Coenzyme Q10 treatment in

serious heart failure. Biofactors 1999; 9(2-4): 285-9.

 

Singh RB, Wander GS, Rastogi A, Shukla PK, Mittal A, Sharma JP,

Mehrotra SK, Kapoor R, Chopra RK. 1998. Randomized, double-blind

placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in patients with acute

myocardial infarction. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 1998 Sep; 12(4): 347-53.

 

Watson JP, Jones DE, James OF, Cann PA, Bramble MG. 1999. Case

report: oral antioxidant therapy for the treatment of primary

biliary cirrhosis: a pilot study. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 1999 Oct;

14(10): 1034-40.

 

 

 

Additional Information:

 

Positive Clinical Results for Treating Heart Disease and Improving

Survival:

The effects of oral treatment with coenzyme Q10 (120 mg/d) were

compared for 28 days in 73 (intervention group A) and 71 (placebo

group B) patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

 

After treatment, angina pectoris (9.5 vs. 28.1), total arrhythmias

(9.5%

vs. 25.3%), and poor left ventricular function (8.2% vs. 22.5%) were

significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the coenzyme Q group than

placebo group. Total cardiac events, including cardiac deaths and

nonfatal infarction, were also significantly reduced in the coenzyme

Q10 group compared with the placebo group (15.0% vs. 30.9%, P <

0.02).

 

The extent of cardiac disease, elevation in cardiac enzymes,

and oxidative stress at entry to the study were comparable between

the two groups. Lipid peroxides, diene conjugates, and

malondialdehyde, which are indicators of oxidative stress, showed a

greater reduction in the treatment group than in the placebo group.

The antioxidants vitamin A, E, and C and beta-carotene, which were

lower initially after AMI, increased more in the coenzyme Q10 group

than in the placebo group.

 

These findings suggest that coenzyme Q10 can provide rapid

protective

effects in patients with AMI if

administered within 3 days of the onset of symptoms. More studies in

a larger number of patients and long-term follow-up are needed to

confirm our results. [singh RB, Wander GS, Rastogi A, Shukla PK,

Mittal A, Sharma JP, Mehrotra SK, Kapoor R, Chopra RK. 1998.

Randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in

patients with acute myocardial infarction. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther

1998 Sep; 12(4): 347-53].

 

Positive Clinical Results for Treating Serious Heart Failure:

Several noninvasive studies have shown the effect on heart failure

of treatment with coenzyme Q10. In order to confirm this by invasive

methods we studied 22 patients with mean left ventricular (LV)

ejection fraction 26%, mean LV internal diameter 71 mm and in NYHA

class 2-3. The patients received coenzyme Q10 100 mg twice daily or

placebo for 12 weeks in a randomized double-blinded placebo

controlled investigation. Before and after the treatment period, a

right heart catheterisation was done including a 3 minute exercise

test. The stroke index at rest and work improved significantly, the

pulmonary artery pressure at rest and work decreased (significantly

at rest), and the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure at rest and

work decreased (significantly at 1 min work). These results suggest

improvement in LV performance. Patients with congestive heart

failure may thus benefit from adjunctive treatment with coenzyme

Q10. [Munkholm H, Hansen HH, Rasmussen K. 1999. Dept. of Cardiology,

Aalborg Hospital, Denmark). Coenzyme Q10 treatment in serious heart

failure. Biofactors 1999; 9(2-4): 285-9].

 

Positive Clinical Results for Treating Hypertension:

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of the adult population are using

alternative or complementary health resources in the treatment of

chronic medical conditions. Systemic hypertension affects more than

50 million adults and is one of the most common risk factors for

cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the

antihypertensive effectiveness of oral coenzyme Q10 (CoQ), an over-

the-counter nutritional supplement, in a cohort of 46 men and 37

women with isolated systolic hypertension.

METHODS: We conducted a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-

controlled trial with twice daily administration of 60 mg of oral

CoQ and determination of plasma CoQ levels before and after the 12

weeks of treatment.

RESULTS: The mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of the CoQ-

treated group was 17.8 +/- 7.3 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM). None of the

patients exhibited orthostatic blood pressure changes.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest CoQ may be safely offered to

hypertensive patients as an alternative treatment option. [burke BE,

Neuenschwander R, Olson RD. 2001. (Research Service, Department of

Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boise, Idaho 83702, USA).

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10

in isolated systolic hypertension. South Med J 2001 Nov; 94(11):

1112-7].

 

Positive Clinical Results for Treating Liver Cirrhosis:

BACKGROUND: The symptoms of the chronic cholestatic liver disease

primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), in particular fatigue and chronic

pruritus, adversely affect quality of life and respond only poorly

to treatment. Recent studies have suggested that oxidative stress

may play a role in tissue damage in cholestatic liver disease and

may contribute to symptoms, such as fatigue. We have, therefore,

examined, in an open-label pilot study, the therapeutic effects of

antioxidant medication on the biochemistry and symptomatology of

PBC.

METHODS: Patients were randomized to 3 months treatment with a

compound antioxidant vitamin preparation (Bio-Antox), four tablets

daily (n = 11, group 1), or the combination of Bio-Quinone Q10 (100

mg) with Bio-Antox (n = 13, group 2). Biochemical and symptomatic

responses were assessed at 3 months.

RESULTS: Significant improvement in both pruritus and fatigue was

seen in the patients in group 2. Mean itch visual analogue score

improved from 2.4 +/- 3.0 to 0.4 +/- 0.7 post therapy (P < 0.05)

while mean night itch severity score improved from 2.6 +/- 1.9 to

1.3 +/- 0.7 (P < 0.05). Nine of 13 of these patients reported less

fatigue, while 10/13 showed an improvement in at least one domain of

their Fisk Fatigue Severity Score. No significant improvement in

itch and only limited improvement in fatigue were seen in the

patients in group 1. No change in biochemical parameters was seen in

either group.

CONCLUSIONS: Antioxidant therapy, as a combination of Bio-Antox and

Bio-Quinone Q10, may improve the pruritus and fatigue of PBC. This

combination of therapy should be investigated further in a double-

blind, placebo-controlled trial. [Watson JP, Jones DE, James OF,

Cann PA, Bramble MG. 1999. (Centre for Liver Research, University of

Newcastle, UK). Case report: oral antioxidant therapy for the

treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis: a pilot study. J

Gastroenterol Hepatol 1999 Oct; 14(10): 1034-40].

 

 

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