Health Benefits of Coenzyme Q10 – (CoQ10)

Coenzyme Q10 Molecular Structures

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a type of fat-soluble Quinone Coenzyme Q. It is the most important Q Coenzyme for humans. CoQ10 functions as a metabolic enhancer as it helps to convert food into energy. CoQ10 is found in almost every cell in the human body. Due to its similar structure to Vitamin E, Vitamin K and Idebenone, CoQ10 is also a powerful antioxidant.

There are two forms of Coenzyme Q10 being marketed today (depicted above). The are Ubiquinone (the oxidized form of CoQ10) and Ubiquinol (the reduced form of CoQ10). Ubiquinol is claimed to be about twice as absorbable than its non-reduced form, Ubiquinone. Thus, the dosage recommendations of Ubiquinol are about half that of Ubiquinone. Most of the body’s supply of circulating CoQ10 is in the form of Ubiquinol, so it does make sense to supplement with this form. Important to note is that in the body, CoQ10 will flip-flop between its two forms depending upon the chemical reactions it is undergoing. Because of this, it is not necessary to supplement with both forms. Although Ubiquinol is more absorbable, Ubiquinone is the more stable form of CoQ10. Because of its stability, it is the form you will find in topical or cosmetic products. Which form will work best for you is dependent on your own unique biochemistry.

Many people who supplement with CoQ10 only do so because they are using Statin drugs for cholesterol management. Statins are notorious for creating CoQ10 deficiencies indicated by muscle pain and weakness following the commencement of treatment. But healthy people interested in improving their overall physical health and performance as well as enhancing brain function, should also be interested in supplementing with Coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) benefits not only the cardiovascular system but also immune, metabolic and neurological health. This PubMed article recognizes the many non-cardiac benefits of CoQ10: “Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a supplement that has been shown to protect cells and be effective in cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Additionally, some studies have proposed it as a possible adjuvant treatment in viral infections. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that CoQ10 has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and effects on mitochondrial dysfunction, which have been linked to the inflammatory response.”

Even more exciting is CoQ10’s possible role in treating cancer. This article excerpt shows the amazing healing potential of CoQ10. ” Relationships of nutrition and vitamins to the genesis and prevention of cancer are increasingly evident. In a clinical protocol, 32 patients having -“high-risk”- breast cancer were treated with antioxidants, fatty acids, and 90 mg. of CoQ10. Six of the 32 patients showed partial tumor regression. In one of these 6 cases, the dosage of CoQ10 was increased to 390 mg. In one month, the tumor was no longer palpable and in another month, mammography confirmed the absence of tumor. Encouraged, another case having a verified breast tumor, after non-radical surgery and with verified residual tumor in the tumor bed was then treated with 300 mg. CoQ10. After 3 months, the patient was in excellent clinical condition and there was no residual tumor tissue.”

Health Benefits of Ubiquinone / Ubiquinol

The Health Benefits of Coenzyme Q10:

AGING

• Helps retard various aging processes of the Brain.
• Possesses Life Extension potential as it reverses accelerated Apoptosis (Cell Death) related to the Aging Process.
• The body’s natural production declines with age, starting at age 20.
• Brain levels are markedly declined by age 50.
• The Elderly have only 50% of the CoQ10 of younger people.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

• May stabilize Arrhythmias.
• By preventing the oxidation of LDL Cholesterol, helps to prevent Atherosclerosis. Experts have speculated that the CoQ10:LDL Cholesterol ratio is even more important than the HDL:LDL Cholesterol ratio in preventing Atherosclerosis.
• Improves the condition of Cardiomyopathy and Dilated Cardiomyopathy patients.
• 62% of all patients with any form of Cardiovascular Disease have been found to be deficient. Supplementation reverses this deficiency.
• Congestive Heart Failure patients are deficient.
• By normalizing the Sodium:Potassium ratio, helps to lower Blood Pressure. 39% of Hypertension patients have been found to be deficient.
• Supplementation may be of benefit to those about to undergo Heart Surgery.
• Preeclampsia may be prevented with supplementation.
• Ischemic Heart Disease patients benefit from supplementation as it reduces Blood Viscosity (making it easier to pump), increases Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and increases endothelium-dependent relaxation and peak VO2 levels.
• May normalize Heart function in Mitral Valve Prolapse patients.
• Stroke may be prevented by supplementation.
• Improves Blood Circulation and promotes normal Blood Clotting.
• Preserves the Heart’s ability to produce energy during Hypoxia (limited Oxygen supply) and may limit the toxic effects of Ischemia (restricted blood flow).

CELLS

• Present in almost every cell of the Human Body.
• Accelerated Apoptosis (Cell Death) associated with the Aging Process is retarded by supplementation.
• As a Metabolic Enhancer as it increases energy production in the Mitochondria of Cells and increases their Oxygen supply. Approximately 50% of the body’s total store resides in the Mitochondria.
• Reduces Free Radical damage to Mitochondria.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

• Concentrates in the Pancreas and helps to preserve its function by protecting it from Free Radicals.
• May help to protect the Stomach Lining.
• Peptic and Duodenal Ulcers may be alleviated by supplementation.

EYES / HEARING

• May help to prevent and treat Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD).
• Cataracts may be prevented by supplementation.
• By counteracting Glutamic Acid toxicity, may help prevent Glaucoma.
• Daily supplementation may alleviate the chronic progressive external form of Ophthalmoplegia (paralysis of the Ocular Muscles).
• Age-Related Hearing loss may be improved by supplementation.
• May prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
• Can facilitate recovery from Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.
• Tinnitus may be caused by an underlying deficiency.

IMMUNE SYSTEM

• People with Allergies are often deficient.
• High dose supplementation may improve the life expectancy of Cancer patients by reducing the proliferation of Cancer Cells and by boosting the Immune System’s production of Cytokines (Immune System chemicals that attack Cancer Cells).
• CoQ10 has shown benefit in the treatment of the following Cancers:

▪ Breast
▪ Cervical
▪ Colon
▪ Lung
▪ Laryngeal
▪ Pancreatic
▪ Prostate

• May help to treat Candida albicans overgrowth.
• Reduces Inflammation.
• Enhances the ability of the Immune System to fight off Detrimental Bacteria.
• Increases the body’s resistance to Viruses.
• HIV positive patients may progress into full-blown AIDS more rapidly if they are deficient.
• Asymptomatic HIV patients generally have normal levels while AIDS Related Complex (ARC) patients have significantly lower levels. Full-blown AIDS patients have the lowest levels.
• Helps to improve the Helper T-Cell:Suppressor T-Cell ratio in AIDS patients.
• Pretreatment prior to receiving the Hepatitis B Vaccine may help to improve its efficacy.
• May double the body’s protective Antibodies.
• Enhances the production of IgG.
• May increase Helper T-Cells and improve the Helper:Suppressor T-Cell ratio.
• Helps to improve the function of Macrophages and Phagocytes.
• Enhances overall function of the Immune System.

METABOLISM

• May prevent Cirrhosis.
• Useful in the treatment of Chronic Kidney Failure.
• Blood Sugar levels in Diabetes Mellitus patients can be lowered 20-30% with supplementation.
• Diabetic complications are exacerbated by deficiency.
• Can improve Beta Cell function in the Pancreas in Diabetes Type 2 patients thereby lowering Blood Sugar.
• Insulin Resistance can be reduced by supplementation.
• Enhances Insulin production.
• Fatigue associated with impaired aerobic function may be corrected with supplementation.
• Energy levels in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients may be improved by supplementation as 70-75% of CFS sufferers are CoQ10 deficient.
• By increasing the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), increases Athletic Performance.
• Increases Athletic Performance at High Altitudes.
• Helps the body convert Carbohydrates into Energy.
• May mitigate damage to muscles as the result of Intense Exercise.
• May increase HDL Cholesterol (good Cholesterol) and decrease the oxidation of LDL Cholesterol (bad Cholesterol).
• Lowers elevated Lipoprotein (a) by up to 23%.
• Function of the Electron Transport System (ETS) is dependent on adequate levels.
• Prevents the excessive build-up of Ketones.
• People afflicted with Obesity are often deficient.

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

• Improves the quality of life for Fibromyalgia patients.
• May counteract Muscle Pain.
• Muscle Pain caused by Statin Drugs (HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors) is alleviated with supplementation.
• Concentrates in the Muscles and is involved in controlling their movement.
• Muscular Dystrophy patients have been found to be deficient.
• Prevents Rhabdomyolysis.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Can improve the evaluation of Alzheimer’s Disease patients on several different evaluation scales.
• Helps prevent the Neuron Damage associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Deficiency is associated with the Neuron Death that occurs in Alzheimer’s patients.
• Reversal of Impaired Memory function by supplementation in people with confirmed Alzheimer’s Disease has been documented.
• Survival time of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) may be increased with supplementation.
• Depression can occur due to deficiency.
• Down’s Syndrome patients have been shown to have low levels.
• High dose supplementation may improve the symptoms of Huntington’s Disease.
• May prevent Migraine Headaches.
• Useful in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.
• The Neuron Damage associated with Parkinson’s Disease may be prevented by supplementation. Parkinson’s Disease patients have been shown to have up to 65% lower levels than healthy people.
• Schizophrenia patients have been shown to have low levels and symptoms of Schizophrenia may improve with supplementation.
• Helps alleviate the Muscle Weakness and lack of Coordination associated with Spinocerebellar Ataxia as these patients have been shown to have abnormally low levels.
• When combined with Vitamin E, improves learning ability.
• Improves energy within the Brain.
• Can prevent the death of Neurons associated with the Hypoxia that occurs with Ischemia.
• Helps protect the Brain from Neurotoxins.
• When administered concurrently with NADH, completely blocks Dopamine depletion caused by the Neurotoxin MPTP.
• Has the ability to protect Neurons from the damage caused by Neurotoxins.
• Helps counteract the toxicity of Amyloid-Beta Protein.

ORAL HEALTH

• The progression of Gingivitis may be arrested and, in some patients, totally healed by with supplementation.
• Consumed daily or applied topically to the Gums may be beneficial in the treatment of Periodontal Disease. Also reduces the Inflammation, wobbly Teeth and Bleeding associated with Periodontal Disease and may facilitate the regrowth of tissue.
• It is speculated that it helps with the treatment of Oral Disease by enhancing energy production in these cells. These cells have a high rate of turnover and thus require more energy. Enhancing their energy increases their survival and reproduction.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

• Asthma may be alleviated by supplementation.
• Hypoxia associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may be alleviated with supplementation improving Exercise Capacity in these patients.
• May improve respiratory performance in Emphysema patients.

SEXUAL SYSTEM (Female)

• May prevent Miscarriage.

SEXUAL SYSTEM (Male)

• By improving Sperm Motility, may alleviate Male Infertility.

SKIN

• Taken internally and applied topically may be an effective treatment for Psoriasis.
• Applied topically to the Skin, improves its appearance, inhibits the breakdown of Collagen, stimulates the synthesis of DNA, enhances the production of Hyaluronic Acid and prevents Wrinkles.
• Helps to accelerate the healing of Wounds.
• Applied topically, reduces the ability of Sunlight to cause premature Aging of the Skin.

USAGE

In order to be properly absorbed, CoQ10 must be taken with a fat-containing meal. Always use the soft-gel form of CoQ10, never the dry form. Oil-based forms of CoQ10 in soft-gels are twice as absorbable than dry forms. Due to its ability to stimulate energy, I recommend taking CoQ10 in the morning to avoid any problems with sleep. It is now widely recognized that if you take Statin Drugs you need to supplement with CoQ10. Additionally, these drugs interfere with the absorption and or production of CoQ10: Beta-Blockers, Contraceptive Pills, Phenothiazines, Thiazides and Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs). If you take any of these medications, I recommend that you supplement with CoQ10. May companies are now touting special formulas of Coenzyme Q10 that are supposed to be “super absorbable” providing superior results. The bottom line is so long as your CoQ10 is in soft-gel form, and you take it with a fat containing meal, you absorption will be fine. In order to be utilized by the body Coenzyme Q10 must mix with dietary fats during digestion. Formulas that claim to be able to bypass this process will just not work and you’ll be throwing your money away.

My Personal Recommendations:

Ubiquinone

You will see many dosage recommendations for CoQ10 being bandied about the internet. I like to keep things simple. Thus, I make the following dosage recommendations to my clients. If you are on the younger side, in good health and want to supplement with Ubiquinone for general health, 100mg daily is sufficient. If you take any of the drugs mentioned above or for general immune enhancement you will need 200mg daily. For serious illness such as Congestive Heart Failure or Cancer, 400mg or more daily will be required to have any significant impact on the disease. CoQ10 is routinely administered at dosages of 600mg daily and higher with no adverse effects. For some people the chewable form of CoQ10 provides for better absorption, is great for oral health and is also a good option for those who have trouble swallowing pills.

Ubiquinone – 100mg

Ubiquinone, Chewable – 100mg

Ubiquinone – 200mg

Ubiquinone, Chewable – 200mg

Ubiquinone – 400mg

Ubiquinone w/Tocotrienols – 600mg

Ubiquinone – Topical