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Article compiled from various sources All about Coenzyme Q10 The essential nutrient Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10 and ubiquinone, is a vitamin-like chemical that is necessary for cellular energy production and respiration. CoQ10 provides support to all cells of the body, and is especially important in tissues that require a lot of energy. The body uses it to generate ATP, a storage form of energy. CoQ10 boosts energy, enhances the immune system, and acts as an antioxidant. A member of the family of compounds called quinines, CoQ10 works in concert with enzymes (hence the name co-enzyme) that are necessary for chemical reactions throughout the body. Coenzyme Q10 levels drops after the age of 20 and after 80 years old it can be lower than the levels found at birth. Your body can make Coenzyme Q10 and you get some of it in your diet but many people may be deficient in it. Dietary sources of CoQ10 include oily fish (such as salmon and tuna), organ meats (such as liver), and whole grains. Existing health problems, heart disease and prescription medications can reduce the amount of CoQ10 in your body, including: antipsychotic medications, beta blockers, diabetic drugs, "statins" for lowering cholesterol, Alzheimer's disease medications, heart medications, cancer drugs, "water pills" (diuretics). Deficiency in CoQ10 seems to affect heart muscle and can reduce its ability to supply blood to the rest of your body. Research studies suggest that low levels of CoQ10 are found in people with heart disease, Parkinson's disease, cancer, diabetes, muscular dystrophy and HIV/AIDS. Low levels of CoQ10 might also interfere with the energy production pathway in our body. Coenzyme Q10 is fat soluble, so it is absorbed better if taken with meals. There is no recommended upper limit for daily intake of CoQ10, but it is advisable not to take more than 100 mg per day without medical advice. There have been reports that CoQ10 may decrease the effectiveness of blood-thinning medications. This supplement should not be taken during treatment with any blood thinning, blood pressure or heart medication without specific medical advice or supervision. Suggested benefits and uses Various reliable sources have cited CoQ10 as being effective contibutors in the treatment of: - age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - anti-cancer benefits - anti-aging benefits - antioxidant benefits - Alzheimer's disease/dementia - angina - asthma - breast cancer - coenzyme Q10 deficiency - congestive heart failure - diabetes - energy boost for the body - enhance athletic performance - gingivitis (gum disease) - hearing loss - heart attack (myocardial infarction) - heart disease - high cholesterol - hypertension (high blood pressure) - immune system stimulant - kidney disease and failure - male infertility/enhances fertility - memory loss - migraine headaches - muscular dystrophies - Parkinson's disease - photo-damaged skin - reduces risk of high cholesterol medication use (statins) - tinnitus - wrinkles Side effects and warnings CoQ10 has very little side effects. Most are mild and disappear when they stopped taking the supplement or by lowering the dose. Possible side effects include heartburn, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, skin rash, insomnia, headache, fatigue, irritability and flu-like symptoms. CoQ10 lowers blood pressure so it is essential that you monitor your blood pressure when starting or stopping this supplement. Benefits - Alzheimer's disease/dementia: Research studies show that taking CoQ10 seems to slow down the memory loss of those suffering from Alzheimer's disease. - Angina (chest pain): Taking CoQ10 may help with reducing chest pain from angina. - Antioxidant benefits: CoQ10 possesses antioxidant properties and has been suggested for slowing down the aging process and protecting the brain against oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Using a cream containing CoQ10 is believed to prevent skin wrinkles and reverse photo-damage caused by UV ray exposure. - Cancer treatment: There is one small study clinical study involving 40 cancer patients over a 9-year period. The volunteers took CoQ10 supplements along with other antioxidants (vitamin C, selenium, folic acid and beta-carotene). This resulted in a 40% increased in the median survival rate over what would be predicted. - Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): Some studies suggest that CoQ10 supplements may help reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue. - Coenzyme Q10 deficiency: CoQ10 supplement is proven to bring the levels back to normal for those people who are deficient. Deficiency in CoQ10 may lead to weakness, fatigue and seizures. - Congestive heart failure (CHF)/heart failure: Research studies show that CoQ10, when combined with other prescription medications to treat congestive heart failure (CHF), significantly improves the symptoms, reduces edema (swelling), insomnia and shortness of breath (dyspnea). - Diabetes: CoQ10 supplement does not seem to change blood sugar levels but is helpful in preventing complications from diabetes. - Eye health/cataract/macular degeneration: Some studies show that Q10 supplements protect the eye tissues from oxidative damage that leads to the development of cataracts. Another clinical study showed that it helped to prevent macular degeneration. - Fibromyalgia: One small study showed that taking CoQ10 with Ginkgo biloba reduced fibromyalgia symptoms in 4 weeks. - Gum disease (gingivitis): There is evidence that people suffering from gum disease have lower blood levels of this essential vitamin-like substance. - Hearing loss: One three month study involving a total of 60 volunteers showed that adding CoQ10 to conventional therapy resulted in better speech discrimination score (one of the measures of hearing function). - Heart attack (myocardial infarction): A study conducted in humans showed that by taking CoQ10 within three days of a heart attack and continuing for one year reduced the risk of another heart event and possible death. - Heart disease: Extensive studies show that taking CoQ10 supplements provide significant health benefits for the heart and blood vessels, especially for those who have one or more risk factors (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol). - High blood pressure (hypertension): Combining CoQ10 with prescription blood pressure medications brings blood pressure down more than by just taking the prescription drugs alone. On average, taking CoQ10 lowers systolic blood pressure by 11 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 7 mm Hg. - High cholesterol: One clinical study showed that taking CoQ10 increased the "good cholesterol" (HDL) but had no affect on the "bad cholesterol" (LDL). Another study showed that it improved the blood flow in those suffering from diabetes who are taking a "statin" type cholesterol lowering medication. Note: If you are taking a "statin" prescription medication for lowering high cholesterol, they are known to deplete CoQ10. Taking a supplement becomes essential in this case. - HIV/AIDS: There is research evidence in human studies to show that taking CoQ10 enhances the immune system in those suffering from HIV / AIDS. - Male infertility/fertility enhancement: There are several studies to show that CoQ10 supplements increase sperm count and motility. Taking CoQ10 increases the amount that appears in the semen. It is believed that a higher concentration in the semen will improve sperm function, leading to increased fertility. - Migraine headaches: Studies in humans suggest that CoQ10 can reduce the number and severity of migraine headaches in both children and adults. CoQ10 can reduce headaches by up to 30%. You may need to take CoQ10 for up to three months to show benefits. Muscular dystrophy: Some people suffering from muscular dystrophies seem to perform better physically when they are taking CoQ10. Parkinson's disease: Taking doses of CoQ10 in the range of 300 to 2,400 mg daily seems to help slow the worsening of the early stages of Parkinson's disease or dementia. Ringing in the ear (tinnitus): One study suggests that people suffering from tinnitus who have low CoQ10 levels might benefit from taking this supplement.