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Coenzyme Q, Ubiquinone, CoQ10

New results from Oct 2009 - Coenzyme Q (CoQ10) supplements provide no benefits and may impair brain function - Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is widely consumed as a dietary supplement to enhance bioenergetic capacity and to ameliorate the debilitative effects of the aging process or certain pathological conditions. Our main purpose in this study was to determine whether CoQ10 intake does indeed attenuate the age-associated losses in motor, sensory, and cognitive functions or decrease the rate of mortality in mice...Our results suggest that prolonged intake of CoQ10 in low amounts has no discernable impact on cognitive and motor functions whereas intake at higher amounts exacerbates cognitive and sensory impairments encountered in old mice. These findings do not support the notion that CoQ10 is a fitness-enhancing or an "antiaging" substance under normal physiological conditions.

Previous results - There are arguments for and against using CoQ10.  At the American Aging Association meeting in June, 2006, CoQ10 supplementation was criticized strongly.  We make CoQ10 naturally, and any excess short circuits the electron transport chain (ETC), which is the process in mitochondria by which we make energy.  When the ETC is disturbed by CoQ10, the electrons are released and generate free radicals, causing tremendous damage.  Since in normal circumstances we make it naturally, I oppose using CoQ10 unless there is some other physiologic disturbance.

I have been approached by two people, one taking a statin for high cholesterol, the other concerned about a parent with cardiovascular disease.  An excellent review of CoQ10 in disease management is available at http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050915/1065.html, published in American Family Physician.  Although this appears to be a traditional, conservative medical journal, it provides a thorough review of clinical trials, dosages, and specific products.  Reviewing the data at this site, I am able to see that coQ10 may be appealing to many, and it is unclear whether it may be helpful or not. 

I recommend that anyone considering the use of CoQ10 ought to read the review .  In the two instances I was asked to explore, I highlight the following statements. 
1. Studies supporting the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 appear most promising for neurodegenerative disorders  such as Parkinson's disease and certain encephalomyopathies for which coenzyme  Q10 has gained orphan drug status. Results in other areas of research,  including treatment of congestive heart failure and diabetes, appear to be contradictory or need further clarification before proceeding with  recommendations. Coenzyme Q10 appears to be a safe supplement with minimal side  effects and low drug interaction potential.
2. Coenzyme Q10 has been cleared for  treatment indications in other countries, such as for congestive heart failure (CHF) in Japan since 1974.
3. The evidence  is too inconsistent to recommend use of coenzyme Q10 in symptomatic treatment  of congestive heart failure.
4. Several trials demonstrate coenzyme Q10 depletion subsequent to statin initiation. This assertion is refuted by a more recent  crossover trial44 that found no significant coenzyme  Q10 drop after initiation of selected statins.

Dosages
Parkinson's  disease: 300 to 1,200 mg per day in four divided doses
Cardiovascular: typically 50 to 200 mg per  day

Table 1 lists specific brands passing independent content certification.

For a research poster on Coenzyme Q produced in November, 2008, please click here and again on CoQ and statins .