Coenzyme Q10, commonly referred to as CoQ10 or just CQ10, is a molecule found inside human cells. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, CQ10 plays a key role in cellular energy production, enhances the immune system and acts as an antioxidant. Coenzyme Q10 is available as a dietary supplement for people with a deficiency.
Significance
A coenzyme is a substance whose presence allows enzymes to work properly. CQ10 is essential to producing adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, the main cellular energy source. According to the Mayo Clinic, CQ10 levels can decline with age, and studies of people with chronic conditions such as heart disease, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy, cancer and diabetes show low levels of the coenzyme. That doesn't mean, however, that the deficiency is a cause of disease. And Mayo says "it's not clear" whether boosting low CQ10 levels is necessarily beneficial.
Treatment Benefits
Researchers have examined a wide range of claims that taking CQ10 can prevent or treat certain conditions. According to a review of studies conducted by the Natural Standard research collaborative and cited by the Mayo Clinic, CQ10 appears to produce at least a small benefit for people with high blood pressure. The review says research also points to potential benefits in treating age-related macular degeneration, slowing the progression of dementia in people with Alzheimer's, reducing angina, improving symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, treating Friedreich's ataxia, improving recovery from heart surgery, increasing sperm count and sperm motility, preventing or treating migraine headaches and reducing the rate of recurrence for melanoma. In all these cases, however, Mayo says more research is necessary. At the same time, the review says research suggests that CQ10 therapy is probably not an effective treatment for diabetes or Huntington's disease.
Antioxidant Benefits
The University of Maryland Medical Center cites CQ10's antioxidant benefits. Antioxidants neutralize "free radicals," molecules that can damage DNA and even kill cells. Pollution, radiation and other environmental factors create free radicals, which may play a role in aging.
Dosage
Both the review cited by Mayo and the Maryland Medical Center say children should not take CQ10 except under a doctor's direction. For adults, Maryland Medical Center says the recommended dosage is 30 to 200 mg a day. CQ10 is fat-soluble, so take it with a meal that includes some fat.
Brand Names
The Natural Standard review says brand names associated with CQ10 include Andelir, Heartcin, Kaneka Q10, Neuquinone, Q-Gel, Solu Q10, Taidecanone and Udekinon. You may also see the coenzyme marketed as benzoquinone, mitoquinone, ubiquinone and even vitamin Q10.
