Coenzyme Q10 & Neurological Disease

Within your body, you have coenzyme Q10 in your mitochondria, which helps make the energy your cells need to function. Coenzyme Q10 is also an antioxidant, meaning it helps fight free radicals and may minimize the damage that these free radicals cause. Several different foods contain coenzyme Q10, such as whole grains, liver and salmon, though you can also get coenzyme Q10 through supplements. Coenzyme Q10 may help with certain neurological diseases, though you should always talk to your doctor first before taking a supplement as a form of treatment.

Parkinson's Disease

If you have Parkinson's disease, cells in your brain that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine become destroyed, causing a significant decrease in dopamine. Dopamine contributes to several functions, including movement. As a result of the drop in dopamine, symptoms such as tremors and shuffling movements occur. No cure exists for Parkinson's disease, and traditional treatment focuses on increasing dopamine levels, which reduces symptoms. Coenzyme Q10 may help decrease the progression of Parkinson's disease. In a 2002 study published in the "Archives of Neurology" and conducted by Clifford W. Shults, M.D. and colleagues, 80 patients with early Parkinson's disease received either 1,200 mg of coenzyme Q10, 600 mg of coenzyme Q10, 300 mg of coenzyme Q10 or a placebo, which they took daily. The study continued for 16 months, and the researchers found that the Parkinson's disease patients who took 1,200 mg of coenzyme Q10 had a significant reduction in the progression of the disease. Before taking coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson's disease, consult your doctor.

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia in which patients have a progressive deterioration of cognitive function, such as memory and judgment. Two types of Alzheimer's disease exist: early onset, in which symptoms begin before the age of 60, and late onset, in which symptoms begin after the age of 60. The University of Michigan Health System cites a preliminary report that included two patients who had a hereditary type of Alzheimer's disease; these patients received 60 mg of coenzyme Q10, along with 180 mg of vitamin B-6 and 150 mg of iron, and had an improvement in mental functioning. Since this study included only two patients, the results may not apply to the Alzheimer's disease patient population as a whole. Talk to your doctor before taking coenzyme Q10 for Alzheimer's disease.

Stroke

With a stroke, the blood supply in your brain becomes disrupted. This can occur due to a blood clot, called an ischemic stroke, or due to a burst blood vessel, called a hemorrhagic stroke. Symptoms of a stroke include severe headaches with a sudden onset, numbness or weakness in your body, unexplained dizziness and problems with speech. Since a stroke affects the brain, several neurological complications can occur, such as cognitive problems and seizures. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that taking coenzyme Q10 after a stroke may help reduce neurological damage, though more research is needed on its effectiveness. Consult your doctor before taking coenzyme Q10 after a stroke.

Migraine Headache

If you have migraine headaches, you have severe headaches that may occur with vision changes, vomiting and nausea. You may have depression, visual disturbances and irritability before the migraine begins. About one-third of migraine headache patients have low levels of coenzyme Q10 in their blood, and 150 mg of the supplement daily may help reduce the frequency of the headaches, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Before using coenzyme Q10 to manage your migraine headaches, talk to your doctor.

Tinnitus

With tinnitus, you hear abnormal sounds, which can be ringling, whistling or buzzing, which can occur continuously or intermittently. This condition can result from irritation to a nerve or noise damage to the ear. Tinnitus may affect your sleep or your daily activities. In a 2007 study published in "Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery" and conducted by Martin Khan, M.D. and colleagues, the researchers looked at the coenzyme Q10 blood levels in 20 tinnitus patients. They found a significant improvement in symptoms in seven patients who had low blood levels of coenzyme Q10 and took 10 mg three times a day over 16 weeks. The University of Michigan Health System notes, however, that tinnitus patients who do not have low levels of coenzyme Q10 did not benefit from supplements. Consult your doctor before taking coenzyme Q10 for your tinnitus.