About one out of three U.S. adults, or 31.3 percent, has high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High blood pressure is a major risk factor many serious health conditions such heart disease, congestive heart failure and kidney disease. Improving blood pressure is imperative to health. Treatment options beyond medication for high blood pressure is needed. Many people can affect blood pressure with diet in order to decrease the need for medication. One potential option is in the use of coenzyme Q10.
Coenzyme Q10, Blood Pressure and Hypertension
Coenzyme Q10 is a substance present in every cell of the body in the mitochondria. It's primary role is to assist with energy production and muscle contraction. CoQ10 functions as an antioxidant as well in order to protect healthy cells from damage. Blood pressure is the force the blood exerts upon the walls of the arteries. Hypertension may be diagnosed when your blood pressure is chronically elevated out of the normal range.
Function of Coenzyme Q10 in Blood Pressure and Hypertension
Several hypotheses exist regarding the function of CoQ10 for high blood pressure. One idea is that CoQ10 is able to widen blood vessels by decreasing the resistance of blood flow throughout the circulatory system, explains a study published in 2009 in the journal "Pharmacy and Therapeutics." As an antioxidant, CoQ10 is thought to have the capacity to destroy free radicals, which attempt to destroy substances that allow the blood vessels to relax. CoQ10 may also lower the viscosity of the blood, which in turn allows blood to flow through the vessels easier, thus decreasing the overall blood pressure.
Research on CoQ10 for Hypertension
A study published in the April 2007 issue of the "Journal of Human Hypertension" completed a review of studies that looked at the effectiveness of CoQ10 for blood pressure. After reviewing 12 clinical trials, the researchers concluded that CoQ10 has the potential to lower systolic blood pressure by up to17 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by up to 10 mm Hg without the occurrence of unpleasant side effects.
Sources and Recommendations
CoQ10 is found in oily fish such as tuna and salmon, organ meats and whole grains. Coq10 is available in supplement form as well in capsules, oral spray, tables and hard shell capsules. Supplements should be taken under a physician's supervision. For adults over the age of 19, a dose of 30 to 200 mg daily is typically recommended and should be taken with meal containing fat, since CoQ10 is fat soluble. Fat improves the absorption of CoQ10.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: High Blood Pressure Facts
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Coenzyme Q10; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD
- "Pharmacology and Therapeutics"; Role of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in Cardiac Disease, Hypertension and Meniere-like Syndrome; Adarsh Kumar, et al.; 2009
- "Journal of Human Hypertension"; Coenzyme Q10 in the Treatment of Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of the Clinical Trials; Rosenfeldt, et al.; 2007
