Does CoQ10 Help?

Coenzyme Q10 deserves its name ubiquinone, because it is indeed ubiquitous. Coenzyme Q10 -- or coQ10 -- is found in all cells in all animals, and it aids in the production of energy needed to function normally. The cells of healthy individuals normally produce all coQ10 needed to stay healthy. Individuals with diabetes, cancer and congestive heart failure, however, usually have lower levels of coQ10 and may benefit from dietary coQ10 supplementation. Before taking coQ10 supplements to treat any medical condition, talk with your doctor.

Athletic Performance Enhancer

CoQ10 is crucial to the body's ability to produce energy. It helps transfer the energy from carbohydrates and fats to the molecule adenosine triphosphate, or ATP -- the common energy "currency" of the body. CoQ10 also has tissue protective, antioxidant properties. Researchers have studied supplemental coQ10's benefits as an athletic performance enhancer. A 2008 study published in "The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition" looked at the effect a 14-day regimen of coQ10 supplementation had on the anaerobic and aerobic exercise performance of 22 male and female subjects. Participants were given 200 mg of coQ10 daily. The researchers found that coQ10 increased the time to exhaustion for both anaerobic and aerobic exercise in all subjects.

Antioxidant

CoQ10 is a potent antioxidant. It blocks the damaging effects of free radicals by offering itself as an oxidation target, thereby sparing other cellular compounds and tissues. In addition to CoQ10's innate antioxidant properties, it appears to boost the activity of the enzymes responsible for inactivating the toxic super-oxide molecule.

A 2007 study published in the journal "Molecular Biotechnology" found that CoQ10 supplementation increased the levels and activity of extracellular super-oxide dismutase. Unchecked, super-oxides may accelerate aging and cellular degeneration.

Cardiovascular Disease

Deficiency of coQ10 is rare in healthy individuals. When it is seen, it is usually a sign of some medical problem. CoQ10 deficiency is frequency seen in patients with cardiovascular disease. CoQ10 supplementation has been shown to be beneficial to patients with congestive heart failure, angina, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and mitral valve prolapse.

A 1993 review published in the journal "The Clinical Investigator" confirmed coQ10's effectiveness in patients with heart failure when compared to the more traditional therapies of the time. Another review published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 1999 reports that coQ10 supplementation tested in double-blind studies showed positive benefits in the treatment of chronic heart failure.

Diabetes

Like patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetics may have reduced plasma levels of coQ10. CoQ10's antioxidant and energy transfer properties may offer health benefits to patients with diabetes. A 2002 study published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" looked at the effect of coQ10 supplementation on 74 subjects with Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. The subjects were divided into four groups: 200 mg of coQ10 alone; 200 mg of coQ10 plus a lipid-reducing drug; placebo alone; and placebo plus the lipid-reducing drug. The researchers found that coQ10 supplementation significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In addition, coQ10 reduced the levels of HbA1c or glycosylated hemoglobin. The HbA1c levels are a measure of the body's long-term blood-sugar control. High HbA1c increases the risk of eye disease, stroke and kidney and nerve damage.