CoQ10 can support the heart & much more

Heart failure is a leading cause of death. It’s caused when the heart does not pump blood effectively to meet the body’s oxygen demands. 

Symptoms may include a cough, swelling, weakness, and difficulty breathing.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can help people with congestive heart failure, improving the heart’s pumping ability and even reducing the need for medications. 

A study in Denmark showed CoQ10 drastically lowered deaths related to heart failure. Let's explore the details.

Coenzyme Q10 reduces cardiac deaths by 50%

A study in Denmark showed CoQ10 drastically lowered deaths related to heart failure. 

Scientists recruited 420 heart failure patients with later stages of heart failure (III and IV) and monitored their condition for two years. 

These patients were assigned to take 100 mg of CoQ10 three times daily or a placebo. They were tracked for major cardiovascular events which are basically a heart-related emergency.

According to the results, CoQ10 supplementation decreased the risk of major cardiovascular events by 50%. And half as many patients died in the CoQ10 group compared to the placebo group. Hospitalizations also decreased significantly. (1)

In heart failure studies, this is the first compound to produce such a pronounced effect in over a decade. The lead investigator recommended CoQ10 as part of standard treatment for heart failure patients.

All heart failure patients should consider taking CoQ10

The heart needs a continual CoQ10 to work optimally.

CoQ10 is found in almost every cell in the human body, and its “job” is to convert food into energy. The heart needs a continual source of energy in the form of CoQ10 to work optimally.

Research shows individuals with heart failure have decreased levels of CoQ10 in their bodies and suffer worse outcomes. (2-3) These patients often take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins which can further deplete levels.

A review shows supporting evidence that CoQ10 can benefit heart failure patients by preventing age-related reductions in myocardial (heart muscle) ATP, the powerhouse of our cells. (4)

Coenzyme Q10 can improve breathing, exercise capacity, decreases chest pain, and improves the quality of life of heart failure patients without significant side effects. (2,5-7)

Considering the results of this present study and other clinical trials, it only makes sense that heart failure patients consider adding this to their daily regimen.

CoQ10 is much more than just heart health

While CoQ10 is best known for promoting heart health, research shows a range of body-wide applications:

CoQ10 can improve metabolic syndrome

A meta-analysis was done of trials that tested coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on patients with metabolic syndrome. 

Compared to placebo, CoQ10 supplementation lowered inflammation markers and increased levels of a cell-signaling protein related to improved regulation of glucose and fatty-acid breakdown. (8)

CoQ10 can increase blood flow

In a clinical trial, CoQ10 (ubiquinol) improved cardiovascular function, as shown by increased flow-mediated dilation (widening of an artery when blood flow increases) and levels of nitric oxide (which aids in dilation). Harmful LDL oxidation was reduced with a higher dose. (9,10)

CoQ10 can enhance exercise performance

Exercise performance and several biomarkers related to fatigue were improved in mice and humans given CoQ10 (ubiquinol).

Liver and muscle glycogen content increased, providing the body with more fuel for prolonged exercise. (11-13)

CoQ10 may increase cellular energy 

In a cell study, CoQ10 (ubiquinol) was able to prevent age-induced oxidative stress and increase the formation of new mitochondria, which is the cells’ energy generators. CoQ10 was associated with the removal of old, damaged mitochondria. (14)

CoQ10 can help inhibit inflammation

To see if CoQ10 could prevent damage that may occur with strenuous exercise, 100 firemen were randomized to receive CoQ10 (ubiquinol) or a placebo.

The CoQ10 group had significantly improved hematological (blood) parameters, increased beneficial growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines. (15)

CoQ10 can protect against liver injury

A study found that CoQ10 protected against acetaminophen-(Tylenol®) induced liver injury. 

CoQ10 also strengthened removal of damaged mitochondria. (16)

Read more

• How to lower your cholesterol
• Naturally improving your heart health
• Vascular vitality and boosting endothelial function
• Heart health support
• See all blog post

References

1. Available at: http://www.escardio.org/congresses/hf2013/congress-to-you/Pages/new-data-CoQ10-improves-survival-heart-failure-patients.aspx. Accessed January 11, 2015.
2. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):79-89.
3. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1972;42(2):291–305.
4. Di Lorenzo A, Iannuzzo G, Parlato A, et al. Clinical Evidence for Q10 Coenzyme Supplementation in Heart Failure: From Energetics to Functional Improvement. J Clin Med. 2020 Apr 27;9(5):1266.
   
5. Clin Cardiol. 2004 May;27(5):295-9.
6. J Assoc Physicians India. 1998 Mar;46(3):299-306.
7. Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):145-9.
8. Dludla PV, Orlando P, Silvestri S, et al. Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Improves Adipokine Levels and Alleviates Inflammation and Lipid Peroxidation in Conditions of Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 May 4;21(9).
9. Kelm M. Flow-mediated dilatation in human circulation: diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2002 Jan;282(1):H1-5. 
10. Sabbatinelli J, Orlando P, Galeazzi R, et al. Ubiquinol Ameliorates Endothelial Dysfunction in Subjects with Mild-to-Moderate Dyslipidemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 15;12(4). 
11. Chen HC, Huang CC, Lin TJ, et al. Ubiquinol Supplementation Alters Exercise Induced Fatigue by Increasing Lipid Utilization in Mice. Nutrients. 2019 Oct 23;11(11). 
12. Cooke M, Iosia M, Buford T, et al. Effects of acute and 14-day coenzyme Q10 supplementation on exercise performance in both trained and untrained individuals. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2008 Mar 4;5:8. 
13. Orlando P, Silvestri S, Galeazzi R, et al. Effect of ubiquinol supplementation on biochemical and oxidative stress indexes after intense exercise in young athletes. Redox Rep. 2018 Dec;23(1):136-45. 
14. Niu YJ, Zhou W, Nie ZW, et al. Ubiquinol-10 delays postovulatory oocyte aging by improving mitochondrial renewal in pigs. Aging (Albany NY). 2020 Jan 20;12(2):1256-71. 
15. Diaz-Castro J, Moreno-Fernandez J, Chirosa I, et al. Beneficial Effect of Ubiquinol on Hematological and Inflammatory Signaling during Exercise. Nutrients. 2020 Feb 6;12(2). 
16. Zhang P, Chen S, Tang H, et al. CoQ10 protects against acetaminophen-induced liver injury by enhancing mitophagy. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2021 Jan 1;410:115355.