By Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.N., C.N.S., C.B.T.
Twenty-five years ago, most people had never heard about CoQ10. Now, this supplement is in the front line of nutritional research, and deservedly so. Here are a few recent studies demonstrating the importance of CoQ10 supplementation:
- Long-term CoQ10 treatment of patients with chronic heart failure is safe, improves symptoms, and reduces major adverse cardiovascular events.
- CoQ10 supplementation significantly improves fatigue and depression in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- A higher blood level of CoQ10 is associated with a lower risk of disabling dementia.
- Effectively reduces mild-to-moderate muscular symptoms caused by cholesterol-lowering statin prescriptions.
- Eye drops with CoQ10 protect eye tissue from ultraviolet damage.
CoQ10 is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance produced throughout the body that provides a number of vital functions, first and foremost, as a raw material in cellular energy generation. Your trillions of cells require it to make energy. CoQ10 also protects and stabilizes cell membranes that control the movement of substances in and out of cells. The essence of aging is membrane deterioration and disruption. CoQ10 also serves as an important antioxidant and helps thin the blood.
The body’s own production of CoQ10 starts to diminish with age; for that reason, middle-aged or older people tend to benefit from supplementation, as do people taking cholesterol-lowering statin drug that depletes CoQ10.
My Viewpoint: CoQ10 is a supplement for everyone who is aging. I started recommending it more than three decades ago in my cardiology practice to revitalize ailing and failing hearts, and consistently had excellent results. I was shocked in early 2015 to read an opinion from a leading cardiologist recommending avoidance of CoQ10. Any cardiologist who says such nonsense is grossly shortchanging his or her patients. I personally cannot imagine practicing cardiology without CoQ10.
What This Means to You: The recent studies I’ve mentioned here clearly show the significant and broad impact of CoQ10, and how it can energize cells and come to the rescue of tissue throughout the body. Many people live in a constant state of energy deficit, and those with arterial and other diseases need more energy. CoQ10 supplementation is a simple way to boost the body’s overall energy status and feel better.
Recommendation: Take CoQ10 daily in the softgel supplement form (better absorbed than capsules) with meals. If you have a disease condition, I recommend you take a higher dose to help assist your body with its energy requirements. Use the following doses: 90-250 milligrams for cardiovascular support in the absence of other disease conditions; 180-360 mg if you have hypertension; 300-600 mg for heart failure (start with 180 mg and work up to 300+ mg over three weeks); and 600-1,200+ mg if you have Parkinson’s disease or another debilitating illness such as cancer (increase your dose slowly).
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