Coenzyme Q10
CoQ10, also known as ubiquinone, can be obtained from the diet but is also naturally synthesized by the heart, liver, kidney, and pancreas. Highest concentrations are found at 20 years and slowly decline with age. CoQ10 helps produce energy from oxygen (in the form of ATP) so the body can perform necessary functions. CoQ10 is also known to have antioxidant affects, and recent clinical trials have shown that it may lower blood pressure, improve blood vascular tone in diabetics and muscular tone in the elderly.
Claimed Health Beliefs
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Improves heart function
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Boosts exercise performance
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Reduces the risk of breast cancer
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Enhances immune system in HIV
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Slows the progression of early Parkinson’s Disease
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Increases energy
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Slows aging process
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Helps decrease blood pressure
Food Sources
Food |
mg CoQ10 |
Beef (3 oz) |
2.6 |
Chicken (3 oz) |
1.4 |
Pork Chop (3 oz) |
1.2 |
Trout |
0.9 |
Salmon (3 oz) |
0.4 |
Orange (1 medium) |
0.4 |
Broccoli (1/2 cup) |
0.2 |
Dose
CoQ10 is not an essential nutrient, so it does not have an RDA established. It is sold in capsule form with amounts ranging from 10 mg-130 mg per capsule.
Evidence for Health Beliefs
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In a study of patients who had suffered a heart attack, some patients received 120 mg CoQ10 and others received a placebo starting 3 days after the heart attack and continuing for 28 days. After the 28 days of supplementation, the CoQ10 group had significant improvements in overall heart function. They also had significant reductions in total cardiac deaths and future nonfatal heart attacks compared with the placebo group (1).
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In an uncontrolled study, 32 patients suffering from breast cancer were supplemented with a combination of antioxidants, including 90 mg CoQ10 for 18 months. Six of the subjects reported partial remission after the 18 months (2). Another article by the same authors reported that 10 breast cancer patients supplemented with 390 mg CoQ10 for 3-5 years experienced regression of the breast cancer (3). These two reports are to be taken with caution, however, because they were simply uncontrolled trials.
Cautions
Studies report that 50-100 mg per day of CoQ10 is well tolerated with no serious side effects. However, at least one study has reported muscle damage when subjects were supplemented with 120 mg per day for 20 days.
Some subjects report mild gastrointestinal problems (ie. nausea, stomach ache, heartburn). These symptoms can be avoided if the supplement is taken with a meal.
Authors of a study done with patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease reported that mild changes in urine resulted from the supplementation of 800 mg/d of CoQ10 plus vitamin E for one month. Although the authors are unclear as to the clinical significance of this outcome, they suggest to monitor urine output and kidney function.
References
1. Singh RB, Wander GS, Rastogi A, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 1998;12:347-353.
2. Lockwood K, Moesgaard S, Hanioka T, et al. Apparent partial remission of breast cancer in ‘high risk’ patients supplemented with nutritional antioxidants, essential fatty acids and coenzyme Q10. Mol Apsects Med. 1994;15:S231-S240.
3. Lockwood K, Moesgaard S, Yamamoto T, et al. Progress on therapy of breast cancer with vitamin Q10 and the regression of metastases. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1995:212:172-177.
4. Sarubin A. The Health Professional’s Guide to Popular Dietary Supplements. Chicago, IL: The American Dietetic Association; 2000