Asthma is an inflammatory airway disease that cause breathlessness, wheezing and coughing in response to a trigger, which may include stress, pet dander, cold air or environmental pollutants. People with asthma need to take two kinds of medicines - a bronchodilator to help the airways to relax, and an anti-inflammatory to reduce airway inflammation. Some supplements may also be beneficial for asthma sufferers. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, asthma patients have low levels of the antioxidant, coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10. The UMMC adds that whether taking a CoQ10 supplement improves symptoms is unclear. Get medical advice before taking a CoQ10 supplement.
Properties and Potential Benefits
CoQ10, also known as ubiquinone and ubidecarenone, is an antioxidant-like compound that plays a role in energy production. It is synthesized in the liver, but can small amounts are obtained through the diet. It may play a role in the treatment of a number of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, HIV and AIDS, migraine and Parkinson's disease. The health information website, Patient UK, notes that CoQ10 may increases the effectiveness of corticosteriods, anti-inflammatory medicines often used to control asthma symptoms.
Administration
Although CoQ10 is found in a variety of foods, the amounts present are clinically insignificant, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. CoQ10 is, therefore, usually taken as a supplement in capsules or tablets. Guidance regarding the amount required to support asthma treatment is lacking. Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to advise you as to an appropriate dose.
Effectiveness
Clinical studies evaluating the role of CoQ10 in the treatment of asthma are limited. However, the results of a study published in the September 2002 issue of "Allergy" show that patients with bronchial asthma have suboptimal concentrations of CoQ10, leading the authors to conclude that this may provide a rationale for CoQ10 supplementation in asthma patients. Research published in "Biofactors" in 2005 found that CoQ10 may allow asthma patients to reduce their dose of corticosteroids.
Safety Considerations
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center website states that taking a CoQ10 supplement may cause side effects including nausea and diarrhea. It may also suppress your appetite. It may also interfere with the effectiveness of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, so don't take a CoQ10 supplement if you are undergoing cancer treatment. It may also make the blood thinning agent, warfarin, less effective. Get medical clearance before using a CoQ10 supplement.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Asthma
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Coenzyme Q10
- Patient UK: Coenzyme Q10; Dr Richard Draper; September 2009
- "Allergy"; Decreased Levels of Coenzyme Q(10) in Patients With Bronchial Asthma; F. Gazdik, et al; September 2002
- "Biofactors"; Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Reduces Corticosteroids Dosage in Patients With Bronchial Asthma; A. Gvozdjáková, et al.; 2005
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