CoQ10
by Richard M. Delany, M.D., FACC
CoQ10 is a powerful, fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance
found naturally in all forms of animal life. It
is synthesized in the membranes of cells in
humans and is vital to the production of
energy. It is the power plant of the body that
is found in most cells, with especially high
concentration in the heart, the organ that
requires high levels of energy for normal
operation. In addition it is a potent antioxidant,
similar to vitamin E. In its pure form,
CoQ10 is a yellow-orange, tasteless, crystalline
powder.
CoQ10 is the spark plug that ignites the
body’s engine by jump-starting energy production
within all cells. The body then uses
that energy to fuel all its vital processes
including muscle contraction and digestion.
Therefore, the presence of CoQ10 in the body
is essential to the sustaining of life. Without
an adequate supply of CoQ10, the body
cannot maintain normal levels of activity nor
can it ward off or fight health disorders. A
quarter of a century of clinical testing has
shown that CoQ10 is effective in increasing
energy levels, in treating heart diseases, in
enhancing the immune system, in reversing
periodontal disease, in providing antioxidant
activity and in preventing certain side effects
of common drugs.
With the impact of increasing stress and the
continuing growth of chronic disease on
modern life, the public is becoming more aware
of and turning to the imperative of wellness and
nutritional supplementation. Research evidences
that CoQ10 should be considered a cornerstone
of a comprehensive individual
nutrition program, whether an individual is
young or old, healthy or not so healthy.
When supplementing with CoQ10 it is
important to understand there are both a
natural and synthetic variety of the ingredient.
Natural CoQ10, which is generally
accepted as preferable, is fermented from
yeast and is identical to our body’s own
CoQ10. Synthetic CoQ10, on the other hand,
is chemically processed using tobacco.
CoQ10 is available in capsules and in oilbased
softgel form. Some research supports
the idea that oil-based suspensions of CoQ10
absorb better than forms that lack oil. CoQ10
is most frequently found in strengths of 30
mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, 100 mg, 120 mg and 200
mg. According to most medical advice, adult
levels of CoQ10 supplementation are 30–100
mg per day. People with heart conditions
often take 100–200 mg per day, with some
taking 400 mg per day. Cancer patients who
might consider taking higher levels should
first consult a doctor. For optimal absorption
of CoQ10 into the body it is recommended
that CoQ10 be taken with meals.
Because CoQ10 supplies cells with more
natural energy, CoQ10 enhances stamina
and improves the body’s overall state of
health and wellness. It also protects against
free radicals, strengthens the immune system
and fosters greater resistance to disease. In
numerous research programs conducted by
Kaneka Corporation of Osaka, Japan, the
world’s largest manufacturer of the
coenzyme.
CoQ10 has been proven to be of significant
value in alleviating the effects of the following:
heart disease, high blood pressure,
cancer, aging, HIV/AIDS, muscular dystrophy,
multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and
periodontal disease.
It is recommended that people who suffer
from risk factors of any of the above diseases
or conditions should raise their CoQ10 levels
as soon as possible.
Cholesterol statin drugs and CoQ10
Research shows that the method by which
statin drugs work to block cholesterol also has the potential to block the production of
CoQ10. Since people who take statins may
already suffer from low levels of CoQ10, such
added depletion is of great concern. The
combined use of CoQ10 and statins, however,
can prevent the depletion of CoQ10 and
thereby help to minimize the risk of statininduced
cardiac dysfunction, liver dysfunction,
muscle weakness, cardiomyopathy and
congestive heart failure.
Statin drugs and muscle aches. Some
people taking statins develop a syndrome of
myalgias (muscle aches) without blood evidence
of actual muscle injury. By pretreating
these people with CoQ10 for a month
(100–200 mg daily) and then adding in low
doses of statins while maintaining a daily dose
of CoQ10 (100 mg), they are often able to take
the statins without recurrent myalgias.
One noted cardiologist, Peter Langsjoen,
M.D., FACC, who has treated thousands of
patients with CoQ10 comments, “Most
physicians either don’t know or don’t care
about CoQ10. But if it becomes mandatory
to take CoQ10 with statins, one of the most
widely prescribed drugs in the world, then
everybody’s going to know about it
overnight.”
Cutting-edge research.
The following is excerpted from a National
Parkinson Foundation Inc. news release of
February 26, 2003 titled “Effects of
Coenzyme Q10 in Early PD: Evidence of
Slowing of Other Functional Decline.” It
reads: “Parkinson disease (PD) is a degenerative
disorder of unknown cause. To determine
whether a range of doses of coenzyme
Q10 is safe and well tolerated could slow the
progression of PD. This is a multi-center, randomized,
parallel-group, placebo-controlled,
double-blind, dosage-ranging trial. Eighty
patients with early PD who did not require
treatment for their disability were randomly
assigned to placebo or coenzyme Q10
at dosages of 300, 600 or 1200 mg/day.
“. . . CoQ10 was safe and well tolerated at doses
of up to 1200 mg/day. Less disability developed
in subjects on CoQ10 than in those on
placebo and the benefit was greatest in
people receiving the highest dosage. CoQ10
appears to slow the progression of PD,
but the results need to be confirmed in a
larger study.
“. . . CoQ10 is a natural nutrient, essential in
the production of adenosine triphosphate
(ATP), the carrier for cellular energy. Energy
stored and released from ATP powers all
bodily functions. . . . CoQ10 is sold as a
nutritional supplement in pharmacies and
health food stores. However, not all CoQ10 is
the same. There are different forms of
CoQ10: The ‘TRANS’ form was used in the
study. The ‘CIS’ form, the most readily
available, is impure, difficult to absorb, but
cheaper.” TH
For further information on the Parkinson
Foundation, visit www.parkinson.org
In response to the dramatic rise in consumption
of CoQ10, Kaneka Corporation of
Osaka, Japan has branded its 100 percent
natural (trans-isomer) yeast fermented
CoQ10 product, Kaneka Q10 and has created
the new Kaneka Functional Foods Division,
which has begun a major initiative to inform
consumers of the benefits of CoQ10 both as a
dietary supplement and as a topical agent in
health care products. For additional information
on the broad based health benefits of
Kaneka Q10, visit www.kanekaq10.com
Richard M. Delany, M.D., FACC, a board-certified
physician, is the founder of Personalized
Preventive Medicine, a wellnes-oriented medical
practice specializing in preventative medicine.
Dr. Delany has utilized CoQ10 in his practice for
over 15 years for multiple indications, particularly
in relation to statin drug induced conditions.
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