Home Product Information General Information
|
| Description
/ Source / Components | | History | CoQ-10 is a fat-soluble quinone that is structurally similar to vitamin K and commonly known as Ubiquinone. Found in most living organisms, it is essential to the production of cellular energy and can be both synthesized in the body and derived from dietary sources. CoQ-10 is important because it lies within the membrane of a cell organelle called the mitochondria. Mitochondria are affectionately known as the "power house" of the cell because of their ability to produce cellular energy, or ATP, by shuttling protons derived from nutrient breakdown through the process of aerobic (oxygen) metabolism. CoQ-10 also has a secondary role as an antioxidant. Several clinical trials have shown CoQ-10 to be effective in supporting blood pressure and cholesterol levels*. Furthermore, CoQ-10 has also been shown to improve cardiovascular health*. These facts lead many to believe that CoQ-10 supplementation is vital to any dietary supplementation program Active Ingredients: Available Doses & Codes: Description / Source / ComponentsCoenzyme Q is also known as Ubiquinone. "Co-Q10 (2,3 dimethyl-5 methyl-6-decaprenyl benzoquinone) is an endogenous antioxidant found in small amounts in meats and seafood. Although Co-Q10 is found in all human cells, its highest concentrations occur in the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. It is found naturally in the organs of many mammalian species." (Fetrow) "CoQ10 can be synthesized in vivo [in a living body]. Situations may arise, however, when the need for CoQ10 surpasses the body's ability to synthesize it. CoQ10 is well-absorbed by oral supplementation as evidenced by significant increases in serum CoQ10 levels after supplementation."(Anonymous) "CoQ10, due to the involvement in ATP [cellular energy] synthesis, affects the function of all cells in the body, making it essential for the health of all human tissues and organs. CoQ10 particularly effects the cells that are the most metabolically active: heart, immune system, gingiva, and gastric mucosa."(Anonymous) "Coenzyme Q10 was discovered in 1957 by Fred Crane, M.D., from the University of Wisconsin, who isolated it from beef hearts." The research was carried out by Dr. Karl Folkers. (Whitaker) Dr. Folkers became interested when his next-door neighbour with terminal metastatic lung cancer started taking CoQ10 and had a complete remission. (Whitaker) Proponent / Advocate Claims It is believed by proponents that cancer patients lack CoQ10 in their blood. (Lockwood 1994) Folkers reported several case histories of cancer patients with prolonged survival on therapy with CoQ10. (Folkers) It is claimed by some that "the action of CoQ on the immune system is profound. It promotes bioenergetic processes in the human immune cells." (Bliznakov) "More recent findings substantiate the view that supplementation with CoQ10 can cause complete regression of tumors in advanced breast cancer, including one patient with numerous metastases to the liver." (Diamond) "Mechanisms in cancer include immune system enhancement and antioxidant activity." (Anonymous) Cardiac toxicity of the anthracyclines may be ameliorated by using low doses or concomitant treatment with coenzyme Q 10. (Berkarda) "Coenzyme Q-10 is a nontoxic natural substance that reduces the damage done to the heart by the chemotherapy agent Adriamycin and may increase its antitumor activity. Co-Q-10 also protects the liver from the toxic effects of various chemotherapy drugs. I recommend that people undergoing chemotherapy take 300mg [milligrams] of CO-Q-10 daily."(Weil) "Treatment with ubiquinone (coenzyme Q 10) reversed lovastatin-induced myopathy [disease of a muscle] in one patient in whom tumor response was maintained. In 22 additional patients, prophylactic administration of ubiquinone prevented the development of rhabdomyolysis [disintegration or dissolution of muscle] without adversely affecting tumor growth.... Drug-associated rhabdomyolysis is treatable and preventable with oral ubiquinone supplements which do not appear to nullify the antitumor activity of lovastatin."(Thibault) Professional Evaluation / Critique There has been some evidence that Coenzyme Q has efficacy when used in combination with other cancer treatments to ameliorate harmful side effects of those treatments (refer to proponent claims/beliefs section). However, it should be noted that it has not been proven that CoQ is effective as a cancer treatment in itself. "Groups of tumors that received Q10 and radiotherapy had a significantly lower specific growth delay (SGD) than the radiotherapy-only groups... We conclude that systemic Q10 reduces the response to single dose tumor irradiation in xenotransplanted human SCLS (small-cell lung cancer) tumors. The magnitude of this potentially adverse effect is dose-dependent. We feel that the present experimental data justify a warning against concurrent use of Q10 during radiotherapy."(Lund) "It was found that coenzyme Q . . . significantly delayed growth arrest" (did not stop cancer cells from growing) in human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC), and two human breast cancer cell lines Hs578T and MDA231. (Larsson) "It was found that addition of either coenzyme Q or dolichol induces a partial but significant stimulation of DNA synthesis in breast cancer cells" (actually stimulated cancer cell growth). (Larsson) Lockwood et al. (1995) report the remission of breast cancer in three patients who were being treated with doses of Coenzyme Q10. I t should be noted that in all three cases the Q10 treatment was provided during the same time that the patients were undergoing conventional treatments (mastectomy, X-ray treatment, appropriate anti-cancer drugs). The remission of breast cancer in these patients cannot be attributed with any certainty to the Q10 treatment that was provided. Toxicity / Risks "CoQ produces no toxic effect in animal models." (Bliznakov) Fetrow's list of adverse reactions to Co-Q10 includes anorexia, diarrhea, epigastric discomfort, ischemic tissue damage [tissue damage due to a deficiency in blood in a specific part of the body] (during intense exercise), and mild nausea. (Fetrow) Anonymous. Coenzyme Q10. Alternative Medicine Review 1998;3:58-61. O'Brien R. BC Cancer Agency verbal communication, 2000. Berkarda B. The problems of chemotherapy in the treatment of malignant tumors. Clinical chemotherapy. Volume III: Antineoplastic chemotherapy. New York: Thieme-Stratton, 1984:555-557. Bliznakov EG, Hunt GL. The miracle nutrient: coenzyme Q10. Toronto: Bantam Books, 1987. Diamond WJ, et al. An alternative medicine definitive guide to cancer. Tiburon: Future Medicine Publishing, Inc., 1997:767. Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's handbook of complementary and alternative medicines. Springhouse, Pennsylvania: Springhouse Corporation 1999:178-80. Folkers K, et al. Survival of cancer patients on therapy with coenzyme Q10. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 1993 Apr 15;192(1):241-245. Larsson O. Effects of isoprenoids on growth of normal human mammary epithelial cells and breast cancer cells in vitro. Anticancer Research 1994;14:123-128. Lockwood K, et al. Partial and complete regression of breast cancer in patients in relation to dosage of coenzyme Q10. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 1994 Mar 30;199(3):1504-1508. Lockwood K, et al. Progress on therapy of breast cancer with vitamin Q10 and the regression of metastases. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 1995;212:172-177. Lund EL, et al. Effect of radiation therapy on small-cell lung cancer is reduced by ubiquinone intake. Folia Microbiologica 1998;43:505-506. Thibault A, et al. Lovastatin, an inhibitor of the mevalonate pathway, has activity against high-grade gliomas. Proc Annu Meet Am Soc Clin Oncol 1994;13:A490. Weil A. Dr. Andrew Weil's self healing: creating natural health for your body and mind. (Newsletter) Jan 1998:6-7. Whitaker J. Coenzyme Q10: new hope for cancer. Health & Healing 1994 July;4(7):1-2. Ubiquinone (coenzyme Q-10) (CoQ) use in cardiovascular diseaseBrian E. Gulbis, Pharmacy student, Ohio Northern University Ubiquinone (coenzyme Q-10) (CoQ) is a naturally occurring coenzyme found in aerobic organisms. It was given the name ubiquinone because of its universal, or ubiquitous, occurrence in animal tissues. Since its isolation in 1957, CoQ has been studied throughout Japan, Russia, Europe, and the United States.1 It is found mostly in the inner mitochondrial membrane, especially in the heart, liver, kidney, and pancreas.2 CoQ plays an important role in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. NADH and succinate dehydrogenases, and other flavoproteins, donate electrons to CoQ, which transfers them to non-heme iron proteins. The oxidation-reduction reactions that CoQ undergoes during electron transport are an essential part of the proton pumping mechanism which leads to the generation of ATP in the mitochondria.3 In addition to its role in the electron transport chain, ubiquinone is also an antioxidant and free radical scavenger, and it is believed to possess membrane-stabilizing properties.2,4 Since its discovery, coenzyme Q-10 has been used to aid in the treatment of many cardiovascular diseases, such as congestive heart failure (CHF), cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. Although it has not been approved for therapeutic use in the United States, ubiquinone is the primary treatment for cardiovascular disease in approximately 12 million Japanese.1 Grounds for the use of CoQ in cardiovascular therapy was established in the early 1970s by Folkers et al., who found evidence of decreased levels of coenzyme Q-10 in patients with heart disease.5 Subsequent studies have shown that there is a correlation between cardiovascular disease and low tissue levels of ubiquinone.6 However, it is not yet known if the lowered CoQ levels are the cause of or a result of the disease states. In the early 1990s, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed by Morisco, Trimarco, and Condorelli to study the effects of coenzyme Q-10 on patients with congestive heart failure. Patients were randomly assigned by a computer-generated allocation schedule, that matched age, sex, New York Heart Association class, and treatment used for hemodynamic stabilization. A total of 641 patients were enrolled in the study among thirty-three centers, with 319 patients placed in the coenzyme Q-10 group, and 322 patients in the placebo group. During the study, 16 patients died in the CoQ group, and 21 in the placebo group. Twenty-three patients in the CoQ group dropped out of the study, while 18 patients in the control group dropped out. Neither the number of deaths nor the number of patients who dropped out are statistically significant. There also were no statistically significant differences in the age, sex, weight, cardiovascular drug therapy, or noncardiovascular drug therapy of the two groups. The CoQ group was then given 2 mg/kg per day of coenzyme Q-10, in addition to the cardiovascular drug therapy required to reach hemodynamic stabilization. The other group received a placebo in addition to their regular drug therapy. Patients were then examined after 3, 6, and 12 months of the additional therapy. Evaluation of the efficacy of therapy was based on changes in the functional class of patients in the two groups. There was a statistically significant reduction in the class of the patients in the coenzyme Q-10 group. This means there was an overall improvement in functional status of patients in the CoQ group. There were no significant changes in functional class of patients in the placebo group. In addition, physicians and patients were asked to rate the effects of treatment on a scale of 1 to 3. The mean score given by physicians and patients in the placebo group remained unchanged throughout the study. However, there was a continual increase in the mean score given by physicians and patients in the coenzyme Q-10 group. There was also a statistically smaller incidence of cardiovascular complications, including acute pulmonary edema (p<0.001), cardiac asthma (p<0.001), and arrhythmias (p<0.05) in the CoQ group compared to the placebo group. A final observation showed that about 40% of patients in the placebo group required one or more hospitalizations during the follow-up period, whereas only 20% of the patients in the coenzyme Q-10 group required hospitalization (p<0.01).7 In a different multicenter study, by Lampertico and Comis, the efficacy and safety of coenzyme Q-10 as supplementary therapy in patients with heart failure was examined. The study took place in Italy, with 378 physicians participating in the trial. Of those 378 physicians, 201 were cardiologists and 165 were interns. Physicians were asked to choose no more than five of their patients suffering heart failure who had been stabilized on cardiovascular therapy for at least three months to participate in the study. In all, 1715 patients were chosen, with 804 being male and 911 female. Coenzyme Q-10 was added to the traditional cardiovascular therapy at a dose of 50 mg per day in 1423 patients, while 192 patients received CoQ as their only therapy. Treatment was given over a four week period. In addition to reporting basic patient data, physicians were asked to evaluate a series of subjective and objective symptoms before treatment began, after 15 days, and after 30 days of therapy. Emphasis was placed on adverse events, and the physician was additionally asked to give their opinion on the efficacy of the therapy. The results of the trial showed a statistically significant subjective and objective improvement in the 1423 patients who received CoQ in addition to their conventional medication. Analysis showed an overall reduction in the intensity of symptoms after two and four weeks of treatment (p<0.01), and statistically significant differences in systolic and dyastolic blood pressure and heart rate were found (p<0.01). Also of note, the incidence of clinical improvement in the group of patients which received only coenzyme Q-10 was the same as the group receiving CoQ in addition to their conventional medication. Incidence of adverse effects decreased from 2.2% after two weeks, to 0.4% at the end of four weeks. Physicians’ opinion of treatment efficacy was rated as excellent to good for 71.1% of the patients. A limitation of the study is its focus on people of Italian ethnicity.2 While clinical studies provide scientific data to assess the efficacy of coenzyme Q-10 use, most people do not have the results of these studies readily available to them, nor do they have the ability to effectively analyze these results. Therefore, people turn to other resources for product information. Over the past few years, the Internet has become one of the fastest growing sources of information on anything and everything. People use the Internet to find news on world events, the latest sports scores, and information about new products, including natural products. A query of any major search engine for information on ubiquinone will easily yield over one thousand results. One company has a rather extensive site on coenzyme Q-10. The company describes ubiquinone as "a vital catalyst required for the creation of the energy needed to maintain life." Coenzyme Q-10 functions as a proton and electron carrier which "sparks the mitochondrial energy production which runs all vital body functions." The page claims that the use of their coenzyme Q-10 supplement will, "Increase energy levels, increase your VO2 reading without exercise, lower high blood pressure, detoxify your body, reduce free radicals dramatically and aid the function of all living cells…." Other sites make similar claims. Another company selling ubiquinone supplements, alleges that use of their CoQ supplement will result in "energy increase, improvement of heart function, prevention and cure of gum disease, a boost to the immune system and possible life extension." There is limited scientific evidence to support some of the claims made by these companies. Several clinical trials have shown that ubiquinone supplements probably improve heart function and aid in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. However, there is not yet any conclusive evidence to support the allegations made by these companies. More studies need to be done, and more data needs to be collected and analyzed before the claims of some companies can be either proved or disproved. Although no dosage guidelines have been established, the administration of 50 - 150 mg of coenzyme Q-10 daily is considered to have therapeutic benefits. No major adverse effects have been associated with CoQ use at this dosage level.2 Rare side effects include nausea, epigastric discomfort, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and skin rash. These adverse events have occurred in less than 1% of patients taking coenzyme Q-10 supplements.1,8 The results of studies have shown that the use of coenzyme Q-10 supplements appears to be effective in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. The safety of CoQ has been established in studies, and no major side effects have been associated with CoQ use. Based on its safety and apparent efficacy, the use of coenzyme Q-10, in combination with conventional medications, can be recommended for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. References
|
|
© 1998-2007 by The Hormone Shop, LLC.
Web Masters: Check out our New
Affiliate Program Paying up to 20% !!! Disclaimer: The Hormone Shop LLC assumes no liability, whether under a theory of contract, tort, negligence, product liability or otherwise. In no event shall The Hormone Shop LLC be liable for any direct or indirect, consequential, incidental, special, punitive or exemplary damages, or for any loss incurred due to results or comments that are reported or the use of collection materials that are supplied, or any prescriptions regardless of whether The Hormone Shop LLC knew or should have known of the possibility of such damages. Furthermore, in no event shall The Hormone Shop LLC's total cumulative liability exceed The Hormone Shop LLC's net profit on any specific product, sample or consultation giving rise to the liability. The Hormone Shop LLC specifically assumes no liability incurred by any 3rd party associate and if you are reading this web site in a language other that English it has been machine translated by SYSTRAN who strives to achieve the highest possible accuracy, however no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace human translators. Users should note that the quality of the source text significantly affects the translations and The Hormone Shop LLC assumes no liability for incorrect or misleading translations. The questions and comments appearing in the "Discussion Group Forum" are strictly from unknown or unidentified sources and the reader/participant should be aware that credentials from any source are completely lacking and should be questioned. The Hormone Shop LLC specifically assumes no liability for any comment or advice appearing in the "Discussion Forum".
Notice: This information on anti-aging products is provided for educational and nutritional purposes. Any medical procedures, dietary changes or the use of dietary supplements discussed herein should only be undertaken on the advice of a qualified medical doctor. Although listed and sold as dietary supplements these are not innocuous, inert substances; rather they can and do affect vital systems within the human body and it is for this reason that you are urged to find a medical doctor who will work with you in monitoring and maintaining your well being. A to Z Treasures of Yesterday http://www.drugsfromindia.net/fsh.htm http://www.drugsfromindia.net/menshealth.htm
|