Scientific Name: Coenzyme Q-10
Other Names: Co Q 10, Mitoquinone, Q 10, Ubidecarenone, Vitamin Q

Who is this for?

Uses

Coenzyme Q-10 is used extensively in Japan, and its use is more common in Europe and western Asia than it is in the United States. However, specific coenzyme Q-10 products have been given orphan drug status in the United States. An orphan drug has received FDA approval because it shows effectiveness for treating severe or rare diseases that usually have few other treatment options. In the United States, designated coenzyme Q-10 products are used to treat Huntington's disease, childhood heart failure, and rare, inherited defects in mitochondria, which are tiny structures within body cells. Huntington's disease (also called Huntington's chorea) is an hereditary condition that involves increasing loss of muscle control and decreasing mental function. Generally not apparent until adulthood, Huntington's disease may be passed to children before parents realize they have it. Because mitochondria are responsible for energy production by each cell, many of them are found in cells that use lots of energy - such as muscle cells. Cells that use little energy have few mitochondria. If the mitochondria do not function properly, progressively worsening symptoms that may include muscle weakness, nerve damage, seizures, stroke-like episodes, and eventually death may result. Although coenzyme Q-10 seems to be an effective treatment to prevent, delay, or decrease the symptoms of inherited mitochondrial defects in some individuals, it may take 6 months or longer to produce a noticeable response.

In other countries, coenzyme Q-10 is used widely to treat heart conditions - particularly heart failure (HF), but also angina, heart rhythm disorders, and high blood pressure. Heart failure was formerly called congestive heart failure (CHF). In Japan, coenzyme Q-10 has been prescribed for treating HF since 1974. In several published studies of individuals with HF, taking coenzyme Q-10 has generally reduced symptoms such as shortness of breath, sleep problems, and swelling that are associated with HF. It is believed that coenzyme Q-10 may increase energy production in the heart muscle, which may cause the heart to beat with more force. However, results from other human studies contradict these findings, with little or no improvement seen in the actual pumping action of the heart or in the individual's ability to perform everyday tasks. The best overall results occurred for individuals who took coenzyme Q-10 along with other prescription drugs for HF. Even though coenzyme Q-10 may not affect heart function, it does appear to promote relaxation in both arteries and veins. Therefore, taking it may help relieve angina and reduce high blood pressure. It cannot replace prescription medications, however, and it may interfere with medications that your doctor prescribes. Before taking coenzyme Q-10 for HF or any serious condition, talk to your health care provider.

Based on results from several studies, coenzyme Q-10 appears to be safe for treating heart diseases in individuals with diabetes; but whether it affects blood sugar levels is not known conclusively. Results from some studies may show a slight decrease in blood sugar levels when coenzyme Q-10 is taken by individuals with diabetes, but other studies have found no effects on insulin production or utilization. Coenzyme Q-10 may be slightly effective for individuals with an inherited type of diabetes known as maternally inherited diabetes mellitus and deafness (MIDD).

Low levels of natural coenzyme Q-10 have been observed in individuals with muscle-wasting diseases (conditions that result in decreased muscle size and efficiency). Therefore, coenzyme Q-10 is being studied as a possible treatment for conditions, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), that affect muscle function. Coenzyme Q-10's possible energy-enhancing effects may prevent the deterioration of muscle activity. Additionally, in animal and human studies, increasing amounts of coenzyme Q-10 also seemed to increase levels of a neurotransmitter known as dopamine. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry messages from nerve cells to other cells. Individuals with PD generally have low dopamine in levels, so raising dopamine may relieve their PD symptoms. Additionally, coenzyme Q-10 may reduce other factors, such as inflammation and damage by oxygen free radicals, that may cause or worsen PD. Studies are less conclusive, however, for coenzyme Q-10's possible effectiveness for other muscle-wasting conditions such as Huntington's disease and muscular dystrophy. While these and similar conditions may have a connection to low coenzyme Q-10 levels, it is not known if the lowered levels of coenzyme Q-10 are a cause or a result of the conditions. Much more research is needed in these areas.

As an antioxidant, coenzyme Q-10 may also have potential as an anticancer and immune-stimulating agent. Antioxidants are thought to protect body cells from damage caused by a chemical process called oxidation. Oxygen free radicals, natural chemicals that may also suppress immune function, are produced during oxidation. In one study, coenzyme Q-10 levels were found to be low in women who have cancer of the cervix or who have conditions that may lead to cervical cancer. As shown in case reports of women with breast cancer, supplementing prescription cancer treatments with coenzyme Q-10 may have helped to slow or stop the cancer from growing. In some cases, the spread of cancer to other parts of the body appeared to be prevented. Separate studies of people living with AIDS, may show that the numbers of certain white blood cells reached levels that are more normal when coenzyme Q-10 was taken. In general, white blood cells, especially the kind known as T cells, are responsible for attacking abnormal substances - such as cancer cells. This apparent strengthening of the immune system may help prevent and treat AIDS and other infectious diseases. The antioxidant effects of coenzyme Q-10 may also protect the liver from some of the damage caused by certain drugs or chemicals or by chronic alcohol abuse. Some additional evidence from recent studies may also show that coenzyme Q-10 has potential to prevent or lessen the severity of migraine headaches. All these possible effects need further study to prove or disprove them.

Coenzyme Q-10 has also been used, both topically and orally, to treat periodontal (gum) disease. Increasing levels of coenzyme Q-10, which are usually low in individuals with gum disease, appeared to improve symptoms such as looseness and inflammation of the teeth in small studies of individuals with gum disease related to low coenzyme Q-10 levels. These studies were conducted nearly 30 years ago, though, and more recent research has failed to show a definite effect on periodontal disease from coenzyme Q-10 supplementation.

Don't do that!

Hydrogen is one of the things that INactivates PFK. Bb is PFK dependent.

The RDA for CoQ10 is unknown.

We MAKE it when we exercise, IF we have the "ingredients" to make it...which includes B6, which needs additional Mg. This is why exercise keeps us healthy - normally.

Bottles of CoQ10 contain soybean oil or rice bran oil and these foods contain the nutrients above, et al.

Too much die off too fast = toxic, acidic. Major herx. Up goes inflammation. Way up.

An acid condition can harm healthy cells...the kidneys are very vulnerable. Mess up your blood pH even a little too fast = death. The kidneys can only balance it just so fast.

Very dangerous idea. Would you take an entire bottle of an abx. all at once?

Research "CoQ10 cancer" in a search engine. The dosages and TIMING are critical.

The turtle wins the race. Go slower, keep the pace steady.

That was what Valletta found too. Lower doses maintained. His combo of natural substances produced hydrogen.

This is why many of our abx. are spaced out - bid, tid, qid (2x/day, 3x/day, 4x/day).

The body fights infections and heals SLOWLY. Support the fight, slowly, constantly.