Coenzyme Q10)--also known as CQ10 or CoQ10--is a fat-soluble substance produced by your body and found in some foods and dietary supplements. It plays a vital role in basic cell function, and a deficiency may contribute to chronic conditions such as muscular dystrophy and heart disease. While CQ10 supplements can increase depleted natural supplies, it is unclear whether this increase provides a real-world treatment benefit.
The Basics
CQ10 belongs to a group of compounds called ubiquinones. It is produced in tissues throughout your body and commonly forms part of your cellular membranes, as well as part of a class of substances called lipoproteins. Your cells require CQ10 to convert the energy of carbohydrates into the universal fuel called adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. A sub-form of CQ10 also functions as a natural antioxidant.
External Sources
Food sources of CQ10 include chicken, herring, trout, eggs, beef, peanuts, pistachios, sesame seeds, cauliflower, broccoli, oranges, and canola and soybean oils. Frying can lower the CQ10 content in food, but boiling leaves CQ10 content relatively unaffected. If you take CQ10 supplements, your dosages may range from 30 to 100 mg. Therapeutic doses of CQ10 typically range from 100 to 300 mg/d, although doses may reach 3,000 mg under a doctor's treatment recommendation.
Uses
If your body produces insufficient amounts of CQ10 and/or you lack sufficient CQ10 in your diet, CQ10 supplementation may effectively correct any related clinical deficiencies, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus website. Abnormally low levels of CQ10 can occur in individuals with high blood pressure, and use of CQ10 supplements may produce minor blood pressure decreases in these cases. You can also take CQ10 supplements to ease the harmful effects of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, angina, heart disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, heart or kidney failure and certain forms of cancer. However, Medline Plus notes, evidence of these potential uses' effectiveness is not yet fully supported.
Side Effects
Medline Plus lists potential side effects of CQ10 supplements, including heartburn, diarrhea, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, unusual light sensitivity in your eyes, headaches, dizziness, itching, skin rashes, fatigue and irritability. Typically, these effects and both temporary and mild, and dissipate on their own without medical intervention. If you have hypoglycemia or diabetes, be aware that use of CQ10 may abnormally lower your blood sugar levels. Use of CQ10 may also lower your blood pressure or your blood platelet counts. Consult your doctor if you have a bleeding disorder or low blood pressure, or use blood pressure medications.
Interactions
CQ10 has the potential to interact adversely with the anticoagulant medication warfarin, Medline Plus reports. Theoretically, it may also alter the effects of the thyroid drug levothyroxine. If you take diuretic herbs that lower your blood pressure, including horsetail and licorice, use of CQ10 may add to blood pressure decreases. CQ10 may also change the effects of supplements or herbs used to alter the functions of your thyroid gland.
