Coenzyme Q10
ubiquinone, ubidecarenone
Efficacy
- Indications with possible efficacy:
Coenzyme Q10 deficiency
Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy - Indications with possible, but poorly documented efficacy:
Angina (to improve symptoms)
Congestive heart failure
Hypertension
Migraine prevention
Muscular Dystrophy
Myocardial infarction, recurrence prevention
Parkinson's disease
To improve the immune function in patients with HIV
To prevent doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (chemotherapy) - Indications with no proof of efficacy:
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Huntington's disease
To improve blood glucose control in diabetics
Security
- Risk of Drug Interactions: High
- Adverse Effects: Rare
Description
Where it comes from: bacterias, yeast or synthetic
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a potent antioxidant possibly capable of protecting the body against free radicals and carcinogenic substances. It is implicated in energy formation and has an immunostimulant activity. It is related to vitamin K.
Coenzyme Q10 is produced by the body and absorbed from food. It is found in spinach, broccoli, nuts, meat and fish. In the body, it is found in every cell, but highest concentrations are found in the heart, kidneys and pancreas. In general, the body produces sufficient CoQ10 but levels tend to decrease with age.
The consequences of CoQ10 deficiency are not well documented. Some believe that CoQ10 deficiency is not the result of insufficient dietary intake but rather of excessive elimination. People with heart or cardiovascular disease, gengiva disease, macular degeneration, hyperthyroidism, muscular disease, some cancers and AIDS have been found to have low blood levels of CoQ10.
Direction of use
Data are limited and insufficient to clearly establish it's usefulness in the treatment of most medical problems.
- Angina (to improve symptoms):
May reduce exercise-induced pain and increase the duration of exercise in stable chronic angina.Used doses: 150 to 600 mg daily
- Coenzyme Q10 deficiency:
To reduce symptoms of weakness, fatigue and seizures.Used doses: 150 mg daily
- Congestive heart failure:
Most users will see their functioning capacity improve. Those already taking this product for congestive heart failure should not discontinue its use without proper medical supervision.Used doses: 50 to 150 mg daily in divided doses.
- Hypertension:
Used doses: 60 to 100 mg twice a day - Migraine prevention:
Used doses:150 to 300 mg daily in divided doses - Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy:
Used doses: 150 to 160 mg or 2 mg/kg daily. Doses may be gradually increased to 3000 mg daily. - Muscular dystrophy:
Taking coenzyme Q10 has been associated with some benefits in people with certain forms of muscular dystrophy. Available data are limited.Used doses: 100 mg daily, in divided doses, have been used.
- Myocardial infarction, recurrence prevention:
Used doses: 60 mg twice a day. - Parkinson's disease:
Seems to slow functional decline in people with early disease.Used doses:300, 600 and 1200 mg per day
- To improve the immune function in patients with HIV:
Coenzyme Q10 appears to enhance the immune system by increasing the serum levels of CD4+ cells and some antibodies. In HIV-positive patients, blood levels of coenzyme Q10 seem to gradually decrease during the course of the disease.Used doses: 200 mg daily, in divided doses, have yielded encouraging results.
- To reduce doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (chemotherapy):
Used doses: 50 mg daily have been used, but available data are still limited,
There is insufficient reliable information to conclude that coenzyme Q10 is effective in any other indication, including topical use.
Precautions
- Side effects
CoQ10 is not associated with any specific toxicity and recommended doses appear to be safe. A few rare cases of stomachache, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea and skin rash have been reported. To minimize those effects, divided doses are recommended when it exceed 100 mg per day. - Contraindications
Use with caution with hypotension or hypertension, because coenzyme Q10 may lower blood pressure. - Interactions
Some drugs may reduce blood CoQ10 levels and reduce the effects of supplementation:- oral hypoglycemic agents (Diabeta, Diamicron, etc.)
- statins (Lipitor, Pravachol, Zocor, etc.)
- β-blockers (Inderal, Lopresor, Tenormin, etc.)
- antipsychotics (Largactil, Mellaril, Stemetil, etc.)
- tricyclic antidepressants (Elavil, Sinequan, Tofranil, etc.)
Before taking CoQ10, check with your pharmacist to make sure that there are no interactions with your regular medication.
- Pregnancy and lactation
Since no safety data are available concerning its use during pregnancy and breast-feeding, pregnant and lactating women should not take CoQ10.
Clinical notes
- Taking this supplement with a small amount of fat, for example olive oil or peanut butter, may increase its absorption.
Warning
In 2004, Canada adopted new regulations that control the manufacturing, packaging, labeling and importing of natural health products. The new regulations also include an adverse reaction reporting system. Products that conform to the regulation's criteria are identified with a natural product number (NPN) and can be legally sold in Canada. This number indicates that the product meets specific criteria for safety and purity, not that it is effective for any indication.
Medicinal plant contents vary naturally from plant to plant - just as fruits from the same package may vary in taste and texture. There is no standard to measure the active content of each plant. Thus, efficacy of natural products should be expected to vary from brand to brand as well as from bottle to bottle of the same brand.
For more information about the Natural Health Products Regulations, or to check if a product has been assessed, visit the Health Canada website at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/index-eng.php.
References
- Pharmacist's Letter, CE Booklet: Nonherbal Dietary Supplements, Fall 1998
- Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2010
- Lininger S. et Al. The Natural Pharmacy, Prima Health, 1998
- Passeportsanté.net. Coenzyme Q10. www.passeportsante.net
- Herbal Companion to AHFS DI, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 2001
- Rotblatt M. et Ziment I. Evidence-Based Herbal Medicine, Hanley & Belfus, 2002
- Mason, P. Potential uses for coenzyme Q10. The Pharmaceutical Journal, 24 September 2005
- Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide, 2000-2001
- The Review of Natural Products, 6th Edition, 2010
- Health Canada, Natural Products Database
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