eNewsletter 11/18/2019
COQ10 CONTINUES TO STACK WINS
Bonnie and Steve: Most of us are familiar with the important role of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the body's production of energy, particularly in the heart muscle. Research in 2019 continues to uncover positive effects for this versatile nutrient in diverse chronic health conditions.
The results of a study that appeared in Pharmacological Research suggests an effect for CoQ10 against the systemic inflammation that plays a role in all stages of chronic diseases. Chronic disease patients who received oral CoQ10 supplements or a placebo for 8 to 12 weeks had a significant reduction in blood levels of the inflammation, which suggests that CoQ10 could improve the inflammatory state that contributes to numerous diseases.
In another study from Clinical Rheumatology, in which rheumatoid patients were given CoQ10 or a placebo, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (an enzyme that is involved in the destruction of bone and cartilage) increased significantly among those who received the placebo, yet in participants who received CoQ10 experienced a reduction in pain, tender joints and disease activity scores.
In a study of fibromyalgia patients in Free Radical Research, patients received the drug pregabalin plus CoQ10, or pregabalin and a placebo for 40 days. While pregabalin alone reduced pain and anxiety, the addition of CoQ10 was associated with greater relief. CoQ10 supplementation was also associated with decreased mitochondrial oxidative stress levels and inflammation, and an increase in antioxidants levels.
In a study that examined women with polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder affecting reproductive-aged women, supplementation with a combination of CoQ10 and vitamin E was associated with a decrease in serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and visceral fat, and an increase in high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol. Both nutrients (alone and in combination) were associated with lower systolic blood pressure.
Since CoQ10 is essential to the production of energy and made by nearly every cell of the body, future research will undoubtedly uncover even more roles for this ubiquitous compound.
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