Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is critical for the electron transport system (ETS) to do its job of harvesting over 75 percent of the ATP energy from food. Because of this, it is important in energy production. Although a lot is found in the diet, it can become depleted during periods of excessive energy demands. Levels of Coenzyme Q10 are also significantly lower in women who use oral contraceptives59 or Premarin and Provera, which may in turn increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.60 In addition, most cholesterol lowering drugs deplete Coenzyme Q10.61 This is especially tragic because this deficiency can cause or aggravate the congestive heart failure (CHF) seen in patients with heart disease-and doctors are largely unaware of this, simply blaming it on the heart disease. Giving Ribose, CoQ10, magnesium and Acetyl-L-Carnitine should be done routinely in almost everyone with heart disease. In fact, a review of over a dozen studies showed that CoEnzyme Q10 increases heart function significantly in heart failure patients.62,63 I have seen patients on the heart transplant list (or even too sick to make it on the list) go back to normal function with these nutrients!
In addition to helping energy and heart disease, studies have demonstrated that Coenzyme Q10 can:
• Enhance immune function.64-69
• Assist weight loss when dieting.70
• Decrease the frequency of migraine headaches.71
• Raise low sperm counts.
• Help slow Parkinson's Disease.
• Improve exercise tolerance in sedentary people.72
• Decrease allergies.73
Footnotes
60. Palan PR, Connell K, et al,"Effects of menopause and hormone replacement therapy on serum levels of coenzyme Q-10 and other lipid-soluble antioxidants," Biofactors, 2005; 25(1-4): 61-6.
61. Berthold HK, Naini A, et al, "Effect of ezetimibe and/or simvastatin on coenzyme Q10 levels in plasma: a randomised trial," Drug Saf, 2006; 29(8): 703-12.
62. Sander S, Coleman SI, et al, "The impact of coenzyme Q10 on systolic function in patients with chronic heart failure," Journal of Cardiac Failure, 2006; 12(6): 464-72.
63. Weant KA, Smith KM, "The role of coenzyme Q10 in heart failure," Ann Pharmacother, 2005; 39(9): 1522-6.
64. K. Folkers, S. Shizukuishi, K. Takemura, et al., "Increase in Levels of IgG in Serum of Patients Treated with Coenzyme Q10," Research Communications in Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology 38 (2) (1982): 335-338.
65. K. Folkers, P. Langsjoen, Y. Nara, et al., "Biochemical Deficiencies of Coenzyme Q10 in HIV Infection and Exploratory Treatment," Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 153 (2) (1988): 888-896.
66. K. Lockwood, S. Moesgaadr, T. Hanoike, et al., "Apparent Partial Remission of Breast Cancer in "High Risk" Patients Supplemented with Nutritional Antioxidants, Essential Fatty Acids and Coenzyme Q10," Molecular Aspects of Medicine 15 (Supplement) (1994): S231-S240.
67. K. Lockwood, S. Moesgaard, T. Yamamoto, et al., "Progress on Therapy of Breast Cancer with Coenzyme Q10 and the Regression of Metastases," Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 212 (1) (6 July 1995): 172-177.
67A. Rusciani L, Proietti I, et al, "Low plasma coenzyme Q10 levels as an independent prognostic factor for melanoma progression," J Am Acad Dermatol, 2006; 54(2): 234-41.)
68. P. Mayer, H. Hamberger, and J. Drew, "Differential Effects of Ubiquinone Q7 and Ubiquinone Analogs on Macrophage Activation and Experimental Infections in Granulocytopenic Mice," Infection 8 (1980): 256-261.
69. E. Bliznakov, A. Casey, and E. Premuzic, "Coenzymes Q: Stimulants of Phagocytic Activity in Rats and Immune Response in Mice," Experientia 26 (1970): 953-954.
70. L. Van Gaal, I.D. de Leeuw, S. Vadhanavikit, et al., "Exploratory Study of Coenzyme Q10 in Obesity," in K. Folkers and Y. Yamamura, eds., Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q, Vol. 4 (New York, NY: Elsevier Publishers, 1984), pp. 235-373.
71. Sandor PS, Di Clemente L, et al, "Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial," Neurology, 2005; 64(4): 713-5.
72. A. Gaby, "The Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Clinical Medicine. Part I," Alternative Medicine Review 1 (1) (1996): 11-17.
73. Y. Ishihara, Y. Uchida, S. Kitamura, et al., "Effect of Coenzyme Q10, a Quinone Derivative, on Guinea Pig Lung and Tracheal Tissue," Arzneimittelforschung 35 (1985): 929-933.
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.
