Co Q10 - Cardiovascular Health

Name: Co Q10 - Cardiovascular Health

Scientific Name:

Intro: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a compound found naturally in the energy-producing center of the cell known as the mitochondria. CoQ10 is involved in the making of an important molecule known as ATP. ATP serves as the cell's major energy source and drives a number of biological processes including muscle contraction and the production of protein. CoQ10 also works as an antioxidant.

Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals, damaging compounds in the body that alter cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death. Free radicals are believed to contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of health problems including heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants such as CoQ10 can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.

Coenzyme Q10's benefits are due to the following two attributes. First, Co-Q10 is an important fat-soluble antioxidant that is uniquely able to protect the cells' energy producing machinery, known as mitochondria, from free radical damage. Second, coenzyme Q10 is necessary for the production of energy in all cells of the body. Even though coenzyme Q10 occurs in the cells of all plants and animals, dietary sources do not provide adequate levels of this nutrient.

Nutrient Content:

Benefits:

Most important application for Co-Q10 is in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease and related disorders that involve the heart, including atherosclerosis.
Reduces the frequency of angina episodes and strengthens the heart muscle and increases quality of life and survivability in those with congestive heart failure
Coenzyme Q10 has also been shown to decrease blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure
Doctors have used Co-Q10 to treat breast cancer and support health in patients receiving chemotherapy
Of potential benefit to diabetics is the fact that Co-Q10 may enhance insulin production
Co-Q10 has also been used with favorable results to treat symptoms of muscular dystrophy and gum disease, both of which are linked to Co-Q10 deficiency
Patients with Parkinson’s disease may benefit from Co-Q10 supplementation
Obesity may also be linked to a deficiency of Co-Q10
Co-Q10 has been associated with an increase in sperm count,improved sperm motility and improved rates of fertilization.
Also of important note is the fact that Co-Q10 may protect against the side effects of drugs such as beta-blockers and some antipsychotics.
Levels of CoQ10 tend to be lower in people with high cholesterol compared to healthy individuals of the same age. In addition, certain cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins (such as atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin) appear to deplete natural levels of CoQ10 in the body
CoQ10 may help prevent heart damage caused by certain chemotherapy drugs (namely adriamycin or other athracycline medications).

Comments: The Dietary Supplements Information Bureau recommends a daily dosage of 30-300 mg of CoQ10 for optimal results. Coenzyme Q10 appears to be generally safe with no significant side effects, except occasional stomach upset.

Caution: The safety of CoQ10 supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding is unknown and, therefore, should not be used during that time until more information is available.

Possible Interactions

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use CoQ10 without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Daunorubicin and Doxorubicin
Coenzyme Q10 may help to reduce the toxic effects on the heart caused by daunorubicin and doxorubicin, two chemotherapy medications that are commonly used to treat a variety of cancers.

Blood Pressure Medications
In a study of individuals taking blood pressure medications (including diltiazem, metoprolol, enalapril, and nitrate), CoQ10 supplementation allowed the individuals to take lower dosages of these drugs. This suggests that CoQ10 may enhance the effectiveness of certain blood pressure medications, but more research is needed to verify these results.

Orlistat
When taken at the same time, it is likely that orlistat will greatly decrease the absorption of this nutrient from the digestive tract. This nutrient should be taken at least 2 hours apart from orlistat.

Beta-blockers
Many of these medications can decrease the formation of coenzyme-Q10 in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.
These drugs include atenolol, esmolol, betaxolol, penbutolol, carteolol, bisoprolol, pindolol, metoprolol, timolol, sotalol, acebutolol, nadolol, propranolol, labetalol, carvedilol, levobunolol, levobetaxolol, metipranolol .

Warfarin
There have been reports that coenzyme Q10 may decrease the effectiveness of blood-thinning medications such as warfarin, leading to the need for increased doses. Therefore, given that this medication must be monitored very closely for maintenance of appropriate levels and steady blood thinning, CoQ10 should only be used with warfarin under careful supervision by your healthcare provider.

Timolol
CoQ10 supplementation may reduce the heart-related side effects of timolol drops, a beta-blocker medication used to treat glaucoma, without decreasing the effectiveness of the medication.

Biguanides
Phenformin has been reported to decrease the formation of coenyzme-Q10 in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary

Gemfibrozil
A study reported that men being treated with gemfibrozil for elevated cholesterol had a significant decrease in coenzyme-Q10 levels in the blood. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary

HMG-CoA Reductase
These medications have been reported to inhibit the production of coenzyme-Q10, which may cause a decline in coenzyme-Q10 levels in the blood. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.
These drugs include atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin

Tricyclic antidepressants
These medications have been reported to decrease the formation of coenzyme-Q10 in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, protryptiline, trimipramine

Other
Medications that can lower the levels of coenzyme Q10 in the body include statins for cholesterol (atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin), fibric acid derivatives for cholesterol (specifically, gemfibrozil), beta-blockers for high blood pressure (such as atenolol, labetolol, metoprolol, and propranolol), and tricyclic antidepressant medications (including amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, and trimipramine).