Cancer can affect different tissue or organs; healthy cells suffer modifications and start to multiply abnormally. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a compound found in the energy-producing center of a cell. Clinical studies suggest that using coenzyme Q10 supplements alone or in combination with other therapies and supplements may help prevent or treat some forms of cancer. CoQ10 is available as an over-the-counter supplement in North America. If you have cancer and are considering taking CoQ10, you should first talk to your health care provider.
CoQ10 Benefits
Scientists believe that free radicals -- damaging compounds that occur naturally in the body, but are also brought on by environmental toxins -- contribute to the development of some cancers. CoQ10 boosts the immune system, acts as an antioxidant by protecting cells against free radicals and possibly prevents cancer, indicates the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Cancer and CoQ10 Deficiency
According to a study published in May 1997 in "Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications," study participants diagnosed with cancer appeared to have serious deficiency in CoQ10. Specifically, cases of breast cancer, melanoma and myeloma were strongly associated with CoQ10 deficiency.
Breast Cancer
CoQ10 combined with vitamin B-2 and B-3 showed positive results when administered to breast cancer sufferers, according to a study featured in the May 2008 issue of "Cancer, Chemotherapy and Pharmacology." This combination of nutrients had antioxidant effects and helped reduce cellular damage caused by free radicals. The authors suggest that CoQ10 should be used along with conventional therapy for the management of breast cancer; however, larger studies are needed to fully confirm these findings.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. According to a research team from Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy, individuals with melanoma have low levels of CoQ10. Based on this fact, they conducted a small research study that evaluated the benefits of adding 400 mg per day of CoQ10 to the conventional anticancer drug interferon in individuals with stage I and II melanoma and followed them over a five-year period. The researchers found that CoQ10 significantly decreased the risk of cancer recurrence in the participants of the study. This study was published in June 2007 issue of "Melanoma Research."
Colon Cancer
Supplementation with CoQ10 may help prevent colon cancer, indicates a study featured in the 2006 issue of "Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention." This study involved animal subjects and CoQ10 was found to decrease the risk of precancerous lesions to transform in actual cancer tumors of the gut.
Considerations
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, consult a qualified health care professional to find out if you may benefit from supplementation with CoQ10, as well as optimal dosage and possible side effects and drug interactions. CoQ10 does not replace and should not be used to replace standard therapy for cancer.
References
- Univeristy of Maryland, Medical Center: Coenzyme Q10
- "Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications"; Activities of Vitamin Q10 in Animal Models and a Serious Deficiency in Patients with Cancer; K.Folklers et al; May, 1997
- "Cancer, Chemotherapy and Pharmacology."; Augmented Antioxidant Status in Tamoxifen Treated Postmenopausal Women with Breast Cancer on Co-administration with Coenzyme Q10, Niacin and Riboflavin; S.Yuvaraj et al; May, 2008
- " Melanoma Research"; Recombinant Interferon Alpha-2b and Coenzyme Q10 as a Postsurgical Adjuvant Therapy for Melanoma: a 3-year Trial with Recombinant Interferon-alpha and 5-year Follow-up; L. Rusciani et al; June, 2007
- "Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention."; Suppression of Azoxymethane-induced Colonic Premalignant Lesion Formation by Coenzyme Q10 in Rats; K.Sakano et al; October, 2006
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