Virtually all media, be it TV advertising, news, internet advertising or print advertising promises the fountain of youth and the latest miracle cure to just about any disease under the sun, and if we were space travelers, probably beyond. This informational paper is intended to inform about the effects of Coenzyme Q10, from here on out referred to as Co Q10 on cardiac tissue. Due to the limitations of space and time I will only use one reviewed article, in which however two well-conducted studies were mentioned in which Co Q10 was found ineffective for proper heart health. I will discuss these two studies later.
Why even discuss Co Q10? Lets move to one of the smallest units in the body, cells. As you know, cells make up tissues, which in turn make up organs, which in turn combine to form an organism. Basic biology. We need Co Q10 because it plays a vital part in cell function. More precisely, CoQ10 plays a part in the electron transport chain, where it is required for synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Without ATP of course, not much happens in cells or the body because ATP is required for most cellular functions. Healthy tissues then rely on a proper supply of ATP, thus it follows that Co Q10 is essential for the health of pretty much any human tissue and organ. (Alan, 2007)
A few facts about Co Q10: It is a coenzyme, meaning that it works with an enzyme to facilitate a particular reaction. There are several molecular forms of Co Q. I.e. Co Q10, Co Q9, Co Q8…Interestingly enough, when you look at the lifespan of a species, it is found that species with short life spans such as bacteria, mice, rats, etc. have the shorter forms of Co Q in their body such as Co Q8. But when you look at species with longer life spans, such as us humans and other big mammals, they have CO Q10. Sizable amounts of Co Q10 are present in the mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of cells, but one can find the highest amounts of Co Q10 in the mitochondria of tissues such as the heart, brain, kidney, and the liver. Which turn out to be the hardest working organs of the body. (Packer, 1999)
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The body produces its own Co Q10 but there are some scenarios in which it would be advisable to supplement with Co Q10. Low levels of Co Q10 have been reported in patients with cardiovascular disease in their serum and myocardial tissue. One can speculate that if low levels of Co Q10 contribute to heart problems, supplementation might produce clinical benefits. A regimen of 100mg/day Co Q10 supplementation for two to eight months in patients with heart failure due to cardiomyopathy increased myocardial Co Q10 by 20-85%. (Folkers K. et al. qtd. in Alan 2007)
Let us turn now to some clinical trials in which beneficial effects of Co Q10 supplementation materialized. One hundred twenty-six patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (98% NYHA class III or IV) were given 100 mg/day of Co Q10 up to 66 months. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 41% to 59% after six months of treatment and remained consistent with continued supplementation. Two years later, 84% of the patients were still alive, and after 5.5 years, 52% of patients were still alive. Here is the kicker. Compared to patients undergoing conventional therapy and the statistical survival rates of patients on conventional therapy ( 2-year survival rate of 50% of patients with symptomatic cardiomyopathy, and 1-year survival rate of 50% of patients for decompensated cardiomyopathy) I would want to be in the supplementation group, because it fared significantly better. (Langsjoen PH. Et al. qtd. in Alan 2007)
A double-blind trial conducted with 641 heart patients NYHA class III or IV, in which the patients were randomly assigned to receive 2mg/kg body weight per day of Co Q10 for one year produced the following results. Patients on Co Q10 supplementation required 38% less hospitalization for worsening heart failure than the placebo group. Pulmonary edema was about 60% less frequent in the Co Q10 group than in the placebo group. (Morisco C. et al. qtd. In Alan 2007)
And the final study I shall mention here involved thirty-two patients awaiting heart transplantation due to end stage heart failure. Randomly assigned, with supplementation of 60mg/day of Ultrasome-Q10* or placebo in double blind fashion for three months. The patients on the Ultrasome-Q10 supplementation fared considerable better in the six-minute walk test (from 270m to 382m), as compared to a decline in the placebo group (from254m to 177m). Co Q10 group improvements did also manifest in dyspnea NYHA classification (from a mean of 3.1 to 2.4; p=0.01), nocturia (p=0.01), and fatigue (p<0.001). The placebo group did not show any improvement at all. (Berman M. et al. qtd. in Alan 2007)
Two studies conducted by Khatta M. et al and Watson PS. Et al. as quoted in Alan, 2007 showed no improvements in the Co Q10 group. The author of the article mentions that these discrepancies might be possible due to the nutritional status of the patients in the last two studies mentioned, as they were performed in inner city hospitals and a VA hospital. Under these circumstances there might have been a higher than usual rate of alcoholism and unusually high dietary inefficiencies. Combined with nutrient depleting loop diuretics, Alan speculates, this may have led to “clinically significant” deficiencies of magnesium, thiamine and other nutrients needed for proper cardiac function. (Alan, 2007)
Alan further speculates that the problem of conflicting results with Co Q10 and heart failure could be easily resolved by conducting a trial with patients in which all other nutritional based discrepancies have been corrected. It is reasonable to include Co Q10 in the treatment of heart disease because of the safety of Co Q10, and because it has no side effects. There is of course this one exception. Co Q10 may interfere with the effect of warfarin. Hence Co Q10 should be used with caution in patients on warfarin, and frequent laboratory testing should be done on patients taking warfarin and Co Q10 simultaneously. (Alan, 2007).
* Ultrasome-Q10 is a special preparation of Co Q10 designed to increase intestinal absorption.
Beste Gesundheit,
Werner
References
Gaby, Alan R. (July 2007). "Is Coenzyme Q10 an Effective Treatment for Heart Failure? (Editorial)(Report)." Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine 288 ) 132(2). Gale. LIRN. 16 Nov. 2007 Document: :A169480473
Packer L., Colman C. The antioxidant miracle. (1999). Wiley & Sons, New York. p.93