Health, Medical Information & Shopping

Benefits
Specifically, coenzyme Q10 may help to:

• Treat heart disease, especially congestive heart failure. Heart disease sufferers tend to be relatively deficient in coenzyme Q10. When levels are boosted by supplements, heart function appears to be enhanced. In addition, the compound's antioxidant properties may inhibit artery-clogging plaque buildup and potentially fatal blood clots


• Treat angina and arrhythmias. The intense chest pain known as angina may occur less frequently under the influence of coenzyme Q10's heart-enhancing actions. In lightening the heart's workload and steadying heart rhythm, coenzyme Q10 may be particularly useful for people who suffer from irregular heart beats (arrhythmias) following a heart attack


• Control high blood pressure


• Prevent and treat cancer. Coenzyme Q10's antioxidant actions can be enlisted to stop the free-radical damage believed to cause certain cancers. Several small studies have shown a benefit for people with breast or prostate cancer. Other findings indicate that coenzyme Q10 boosts the immune system, possibly helping to limit the spread of cancerous tissue


• Counter Alzheimer's disease and memory loss, and provide general anti-aging benefits. Because the body's production of coenzyme Q10 slows with age, some doctors routinely recommend the supplement to anyone over age 50. Indeed, many people take it as a general energy enhancer; others take it to fight age-related memory loss. Its antioxidant actions have even been enlisted to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, a memory-robbing, degenerative disease most common in older individuals


• Fight weight gain, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Parkinson's disease, and HIV/AIDS. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, coenzyme Q10 helps provide the spark that generates the body's energy on a very basic, cellular level. Without adequate stores of this nutrient, the body will have fewer resources with which to to fight off frequently debilitating disorders such as chronic fatigue, fibromylagia, and Parkinson's disease. Even HIV infection may benefit. Getting adequate stores of the nutrient can, at a minimum, help ensure proper muscle function and overall stamina. Smooth energy use on the cellular level may also help in countering weight gain


• Treat gum disease. For people with periodontal disease who must undergo oral surgery, low doses of coenzyme Q10 may promote healing. The supplement is also thought to limit post-surgery gum pain and bleeding


• Complement cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. Coenzyme Q10 is an important supplement when using statin drugs such as Lipitor, Pravachol, Lescol, and Zocor. At the same time that statins block the liver mechanism that manufactures cholesterol, they also block the production of coenzyme Q10. Although the long-term effect of this is unknown, some nutritionally oriented doctors have asked the FDA to attach a warning label to statin prescriptions.

There are no other known drug or nutrient interactions associated with coenzyme Q10.

Recommendations
People with heart problems, diabetes, kidney or liver problems should consult their health care provider before taking Coenzyme Q10 supplements. It should never be used as a substitute for proven therapies.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, don't take coenzyme Q10 supplements; its safety in this group of women has not been established.

The average daily intake of Coenzyme Q10 is 2 to 5 mg but may be increase for following use.

• For congestive heart failure, angina, fibromyalgia, and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease: Take 100 mg twice a day


• For arrhythmias, high blood pressure, anti-aging actions, gum disease, and cancer prevention: Take 50 mg twice a day


• For supplementing conventional cancer therapy: Take 200 mg every morning


• For complementing a statin drug: Take 50 mg every morning