Benefits Of Coenzyme Q10 For The Heart

Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a nutritional supplement that has been linked to improving heart failure and reducing oxidation of LDL or "bad" cholesterol. It is an essential nutrient needed by your cells to produce energy from carbohydrates and fats. CoQ10 is found in fried beef and chicken, soybean and canola oils, herring and rainbow trout, peanuts, sesame seeds, strawberries and boiled eggs. Levels range from 0.1 to 2.6 mg per serving and are considered low, so many people use supplements. Check with your health care provider before using CoQ10.

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure, or CHF, develops when the heart loses contracting ability due to loss of muscle tissue from a heart attack or increased burden on the heart. CoQ10 used in correcting deficiencies seen with CHF resolves chest pain, palpitations and improves energy levels, according to the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) for Nutritional Supplements. If supplemental CoQ10 is given, as stated in the PDR for Nutritional Supplements, normal heart function and size could be restored, but only if the disease is caught in the very early stages.

Cholesterol Levels

According to the Linus Pauling Institute "Coenzyme Q10" report, CoQ10 inhibits the oxidation of LDL cholesterol levels, which limits the formation of plaque in the arteries that leads to atherosclerosis. CoQ10 levels may be low in persons taking cholesterol-lowering medications called statins. University of Maryland Medical Center report "Coenzyme Q10", suggests supplementing with CoQ10 while taking statins as a means of correcting possible deficiencies created by those medications. CoQ10 is dependent on blood fat levels, and the lowering of CoQ10 may be related to statin therapy because LDL cholesterol is artificially being lowered, at the Linus Pauling Institute. Supplementing with CoQ10 may still be beneficial despite maintaining lower LDL cholesterol levels and may help with muscle pain associated with statin therapy.

High Blood Pressure

CoQ10 has been indicated to possibly lower blood pressure levels in people who are sensitive to its action. The effect may take up 12 weeks to be seen as stated by the University of Maryland Medical Center. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, more research is needed to show if CoQ10 is beneficial for lowering blood pressure levels in persons with heart failure or isolated high blood pressure.