February 13, 2008, 4:00 AM
CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10)
by the Life Extension Foundation (LEF)
Super Ubiquinol CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), one of the five elements of the body's natural antioxidant network, is synthesized by each cell in the body. Its biosynthesis decreases with age and a deficit in tissues is associated with degenerative changes of aging (reference: PubMed 17605305).
Conventional CoQ10 supplements--ubiquinone--are poorly assimilated. It's much more effective, and more cost-effective, to take ubiquinol, which in chemists' terms is the "reduced" form of CoQ10 ("reduced" means the opposite of "oxidized"). Ubiquinol is the form in which CoQ10 circulates in lipoproteins in the blood (reference: PubMed 17914161)
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A Cornell research study published on December 8, 2007, confirms that administration of ubiquinol produces a "marked increase in [blood] plasma concentrations" of CoQ10 as compared to administration of conventional CoQ10 supplements (reference: PubMed 17973981). For more about the ubiquinol-ubiquinone difference, click on the links at the end of this listing to get to a page on the LEF site.
Safety: Kitano et al tested high doses of ubiquinol in seven nonhuman species and found no evidence of chromosome damage and no abnormal clinical signs (reference: PubMed 18066969). CoQ10 supplementation appears to be safe for humans as well (reference: PubMed 17485247).
Applications of CoQ10:
Aging. As mentioned above: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) ... is synthesized by each cell in the body. Its biosynthesis decreases with age and a deficit in tissues is associated with degenerative changes of aging (reference: PubMed 17605305).
Cardiovascular system
Atherosclerosis. Mouse research has shown that supplemental CoQ10 minimizes the size of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta, and in human patients, CoQ10 supplementation has been shown to improve dysfunction of the endothelium (the lining of arteries) (reference: PubMed 17914161).
Blood pressure. The mean blood pressure decreases in eight published trials of CoQ10's effects on hypertension are 16 mm Hg (systolic) and 10 mm Hg (diastolic) (reference: PubMed 14695924).
Heart failure. CoQ10 appears to improve symptoms and stamina for patients with heart failure (reference: PubMed 14695924).
Exercise capacity. CoQ10 may improve exercise capacity slightly (reference: PubMed 14695924).
Fertility. For men with slow-moving sperm or low fertilization rates, research by Lewin et al. demonstrated that CoQ10 supplementation resulted in more energetic sperm with 100% improvement in fertilization rates (reference: PubMed 9266524).
Migraine. Research by Sandor et al., published in 2005, demonstrates that megadose CoQ10 is effective regarding migraines (reference: PubMed 15728298).
Parkinson's Disease. A Cornell research study published on December 8, 2007, confirms that administration of ubiquinol ("reduced CoQ10") produces a "marked increase in [blood] plasma concentrations" of CoQ10 as compared to administration of regular CoQ10, and that both forms protect dopamine concentrations. The paper's title is "Therapeutic effects of coenzyme Q(10) (Q(10)) and reduced CoQ(10) in the MPTP model of Parkinsonism." (To read the abstract (summary) of the paper, see PubMed 17973981.)
Suggested use:* 1 50-mg or 100-mg softgel 1 or 2 times per day with food and a glass of water; higher doses as indicated for some purposes.
*Guidance by a qualified health care practitioner who's well informed about nutrition is recommended, though suggestions are given in this site.
Price: as shown on LEF's pages (with an added $1.00 per bottle of LEF supplements, up to a maximum of $5.50 for an entire order):
Super Ubiquinol CoQ10, 50 mg, 100 softgels -- in stock
Super Ubiquinol CoQ10, 100 mg, 60 softgels -- available by special order
Also available while supplies last:
Vitaline CoQ10 60 mg, 60 tablets. Vitaline is a good company--its CoQ10 was chosen for the original CoQ10 research studies, and if you haven't heard of Vitaline it's because its supplements are sold almost exclusively to health professionals--but this is the old-fashioned ubiquinone. The expiration date is 5/18/08, the original price was $37.50, and the closeout price is $20.00.
©2008 Lynn Martin