What Are the Benefits of Taking CoQ10?

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is the basis of a controversial supplement treatment that claims benefits for a range of chronic diseases and physical disorders in people. CoQ10 is a natural enzyme that is necessary for basic cell function. It is produced by the human body. Some studies show that low levels of CoQ10 are associated with certain diseases and chronic conditions. What has not been shown is a consistent therapeutic benefit to CoQ10 supplements for treating or preventing these conditions.

Cardiovascular

• Early studies indicate that CoQ10 reduces systolic blood pressure slightly and high blood pressure is frequently associated with reduced low CoQ10 levels though the low levels may not be causative. Studies of the enzyme's use in dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, heart attacks, angina, mitral valve prolapse in children, treatment of heart failure, lipid lowering therapies, coronary heart disease and heart protection during surgery have shown limited results and await better studies before CoQ10 can be recommended as a cardiovascular therapy.

Neurological

• Promising preliminary evidence suggests that CoQ10 supplements may slow down, but not cure, dementia in people with Alzheimer's disease and have some therapeutic effect in migraine prevention or treatment and Parkinson's disease, although more research is needed.

Neuromuscular

• Muscular dystrophies, Friedreich's ataxia, chronic fatigue syndrome and exercise performance have all shown a response to CoQ10 therapy.

Ocular Disease

• Myopathies, encephalomyopathies, age-related macular degeneration and Kearns-Sayre syndrome have responded to CoQ10 in early studies, but further testing is needed.

Cancer

• CoQ10 has been shown to reduce side effects of chemotherapy drugs like anthracycline and doxorubicin to protect the heart and to reduce the effects of myelodysplastic syndrome and in post-cancer surgical recovery. Again, results are only preliminary and further research is needed.

Other Effects

• CoQ10 may benefit other conditions when used in conjunction to other treatments in conditions such as asthma, gum disease (periodontitis), low sperm count and kidney failure. CoQ10 is still not a proven effective therapy for virtually any of these, despite claims of preventative effects by many manufacturers and alternative medicine practitioners.