Between 1946 and 1965, 78 million Americans were born, creating the largest
number of children in U.S. history. This Baby Boom generation has greatly influenced
the makeup of American society and undoubtedly will continue to do so.
Thanks to good nutrition and health care, Baby Boomers are aging well and have
an excellent life expectancy.
For the first time in history, we have more people turning 60 every day, and record numbers of adults reaching their seventh decade.1 As a result, neurological diseases associated with aging, such as Parkinson's disease, are becoming major health care concerns. The good news is CoQ10 has applications for neurological diseases, in addition to its better known use for cardiovascular diseases.
Questions & Answers
[ Q. ]
What is CoQ10?
[ A. ]
CoQ10 is a natural, fat-soluble nutrient present in virtually all cells. CoQ10 also is known as ubiquinone (existing everywhere there is human life). CoQ10 is vital to the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the energyrich compound used for all energyrequiring processes in the body. 1
[ Q. ]
Isn't CoQ10 a supplement for heart health?
[ A. ]
Yes, it is. Because the heart requires
lots of ATP to meet its high energy needs,
CoQ10's function in heart health is well
understood. Numerous clinical studies have
demonstrated that when individuals with
heart disease take CoQ10, their symptoms
improve, sometimes quite dramatically.
Supplemental CoQ10 improves the heart's
pumping ability, improves blood circulation,
increases tolerance to exercise, and
improves the heart's muscle tone.2,3 CoQ10
also is a powerful antioxidant and protects
heart tissue from free-radical damage.4,5
[ Q. ]
How does CoQ10 affect brain health?
[ A. ]
CoQ10 works in the brain the same way
it works elsewhere in the body: it's essential
to ATP production. Nearly all human
cells contain tiny structures called mitochondria.
Mitochondria are referred to as
cell powerhouses because they produce
cellular energy. Depending on what each cell's job is, there can be several thousand
mitochondria in one cell. If a cell needs a
lot of energy, it will have more mitochondria.
This explains why heart cells contain
so many mitochondria; the continual
pumping of blood requires continual ATP production.6,7
The brain also requires huge amounts of
uninterrupted energy to regulate, integrate,
and coordinate ongoing nervous
system transmissions. To meet this need,
ATP production within the mitochondria
of brain cells is vital.8
Since CoQ10 exerts
such a powerful influence on heart cells in
ATP production, it was a natural progression
for scientists to wonder how it affects
brain cells. Brain and nervous system research
led to the conclusion that the same intracellular
principles apply. CoQ10 is produced in
the body to assist in ATP production.
Without it, ATP cannot be produced.
The most important discovery regarding
CoQ10 and the brain is that CoQ10, when
formulated with certain ingredients, can
cross the blood-brain barrier and enter
the brain's mitochondria. If large amounts
of CoQ10 can get into the brain cell's
mitochondria, its ability to make ATP is
greatly enhanced.
[ Q. ]
What is the blood-brain barrier and why is it important?
[ A. ]
The blood-brain barrier is a unique
anatomical structure. The cells that make
up the blood vessels that provide blood
to the brain are extremely close together.
This greatly restricts what can leave the
bloodstream and enter the brain. While
the blood-brain barrier protects the brain
and spinal cord from potentially toxic
substances, it also can be a significant
obstacle to therapy of central nervous system
disorders. Only substances with certain
solubilities or those that have a transport
system can cross the blood-brain barrier
to a significant degree.9-11
Obtaining optimal absorption of CoQ10 is
difficult. The CoQ10 molecule is large
and inflexible. The easiest and least
expensive way to increase absorption
levels is with the use of harsh solvents
such as propylene glycol. However, at
higher doses, these types of chemicals
are considered dangerous (neurotoxic) to
the person with a serious neurodegenerative
disease.
It is more difficult, as well
as more expensive (considering raw
materials, research, and proper manufacturing
methods) to promote absorption
with less harmful alternatives. However,
reputable companies ensure that their
products are safe for all their customers.
Look for CoQ10 products formulated with
vitamin E and other safe ingredients
such as Micosolle?.
Nearly all CoQ10 supplements enter the
bloodstream. But, only CoQ10 supplements
with special formulations have been scientifically
shown to enter the mitochondria
and cross the blood-brain barrier.12,13
[ Q. ]
If CoQ10 is made in the body, why take supplements?
[ A. ]
While CoQ10 is synthesized in the
body, these levels may be insufficient to
meet the body's requirements. Researchers
have discovered CoQ10 levels diminish
with age and as a result of dietary inadequacies
and various disease states.14-16
They also have determined some medications
significantly reduce CoQ10 levels in
the body.17,18
Although CoQ10 exists in some dietary sources,
it may not be realistic to obtain CoQ10
through food alone. For example, it would take
approximately 3 pounds of sardines, 7 pounds
of beef, or 8 pounds of peanuts to equal 100
mg of supplemental CoQ10.19
[ Q. ]
How does CoQ10 help people with Parkinson's disease?
[ A. ]
CoQ10 seems to have several beneficial
actions in the illness. Researchers have
looked at mitochondria in brain cells and
determined people with Parkinson's disease
have reduced activity of Complex I in the
electron transport chain. Recent research
has proposed the reduced activity of
Complex I interferes with the brain-signaling
chemical dopamine. Stored and
newly synthesized dopamine is depleted.
The dopamine depletion causes nerve cell
degeneration.20
A recent clinical study involved 80
patients with Parkinson's disease (both
men and women).21 The researchers first
evaluated all the participants to establish
scores for basic motor skills (measuring
the ability to control physical
movements such as walking), mental status
(whether the person was depressed
or experiencing memory loss) and the
activities of daily living (whether the
person was experiencing difficulty with
handwriting, dressing themselves, using
utensils such as knives and forks, and so
on). This scale is known as the Unified
Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
(UPDRS). This process is known as establishing
"baseline values," that is, the
condition of the patient before receiving
any treatment.
Participants were divided into 4 groups.
Each group received either 300 mg,
600 mg, or 1200 mg of the special form
of CoQ10, or a placebo. The researchers
observed the participants for 16 months.
The results of the study showed that all
the participants who received CoQ10 had
smaller declines in function compared to
the placebo group, but the smallest
decline was experienced by the group
taking the highest amount of the special
form of CoQ10.
The most significant results were noted
specifically in the activities of daily living
scores by the people taking 1200 mg
of CoQ10 daily. These people retained
better ability to feed and dress themselves,
speak, walk, and bathe or shower
by themselves. They maintained greater
independence for a longer time.
Parkinson's disease, as with other neurodegenerative
diseases, robs the sufferer
of their ability to control the movements
of their own body and care for themselves. Supplementation with
CoQ10, while not a cure, is the first
intervention that showed a slowing in
the progressive deterioration of function
associated with this disease.
[ Q. ]
What were the results of clinical research on Huntington's Disease?
[ A. ]
A randomized, double-blind, placebo
controlled study respected type of study,
was conducted at the University of
Rochester. All of the 347 Huntington's
disease (HD) patients were experiencing
some HD symptoms, but were still in the
early stages of the disease.
The patients (who did not know which drug they
were receiving) were randomly assigned
to four different treatment groups: 25
percent received Remacemide, 25 percent
received CoQ10, 25 percent received
both, and 25 percent received a placebo,
or sugar pill. The researchers, who also
did not know which patients got which
drug, watched and recorded their
progress for two and one-half years.22
Remacemide is a new drug made by
Astra Zeneca that blocks the neurotransmitter
glutamate in the brain, that has
long been suspected of contributing to
the death of brain cells in Huntington's
disease.
Unfortunately, in the CARE-HD study,
remacemide had no effect on the progression
of the disease in patients in the
early stages.22 However, the individuals
who received 600 mg of CoQ10 per day
experienced some slowing of the disease
progression. They were able to manage
daily activities, such as meal preparation,
housekeeping tasks, and personal
care longer than those not on CoQ10.
They were also able to focus their attention
better and were less depressed and
irritable.
The portion of the studied
patients receiving 600 mg of CoQ10 per
day experienced a 15 percent decline in
the progression of HD. According to the
researchers conducting the study, a 15
percent decline in the progression of HD
would roughly translate into approximately
one more year of independence
for patients. This is the very first study
from more than a dozen Huntington's
disease patient trials that showed any
modification of the course of the illness.
Of note, the effects of the CoQ10 had not
abated at the end of the research study.
That is, the benefit of using CoQ10, 600
mg per day, was still increasing; this suggests that the longer a patient supplements
with CoQ10, the greater the
decline in the progression of HD.
The next phase of the CARE-HD research will
test a higher dose of CoQ10 (1200 mg or
more per day), with more patients (over
1000), for a longer period of time
(approximately 5 years). This study
should improve our understanding of the
optimal dose and the total achievable
decline in the progression of HD. The
CoQ10 product used in the CARE-HD
study was designated an Orphan Drug by
the FDA. The product utilizes a proprietary,
patent-pending delivery mechanism,
which is proven to be safe and tolerable
at high doses for people suffering
from neurodegenerative diseases, substantially
improving brain tissue levels
of CoQ10.
[ Q. ]
What other diseases could benefit from CoQ10 supplementation?
[ A. ]
Studies show CoQ10 levels are greatly
reduced in Alzheimer's patients.23
Mitochondrial abnormalities also are noted;
however, research has yet to determine
how or why this occurs.24 Some scientists
believe damage to mitochondria is an
early feature of the disease.25 Free-radical
damage also is a feature of Alzheimer's.26
In a study of 27 Alzheimer's patients,
subjects were given 60 mg of CoQ10,
150 mg of iron, and 180 mg of vitamin B6
daily. Each patient's mitochondria activity
was effectively activated. All patients continued to experience gradual decline.
However, researchers believed that with
this combination, the progression was
much slower and allowed the patients
to experience 1 to 2 years of extended
good health.27
ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease)
is a progressive, fatal, neurological disease.
It occurs when the nerve cells in
the brain that control voluntary movement
gradually degenerate. Investigation
of CoQ10 in individuals with ALS is just
beginning. Researchers at the Eleanor
and Lou Gehrig ALS Center at Columbia
University recently conducted a small
clinical pilot trial of CoQ10 in ALS.
The study was an open label study,
which means that everyone enrolled
received CoQ10, 400 mg three times
per day. Of the 16 patients originally
enrolled, nine patients completed the
study. Six of these nine patients experienced
some benefits. The patients
declined from 0 ? 25 percent in functional
scores, 6 percent in strength, and
10 percent in breathing ability. These
scores reflect a positive trend compared
to the 50 percent decline that is seen in
the natural history of ALS over the same
period of time (5 to 9 months).28
Citing the need to conduct more studies of the
effectiveness of CoQ10 for people with
ALS as rapidly and efficiently as possible
to get answers to patients and clinicians,
another clinical trial is currently underway
at the Gehrig ALS Center. This is a
pilot study to determine if CoQ10 has
short-term effects on motor nerves in
the brain using magnetic resonance
spectroscopy (MRS). The researchers are
going to try to "see" if CoQ10 can change
the chemicals in the brain's upper motor
nerves of people with ALS, an important
next step of the investigation.29
[ Q. ]
Can taking CoQ10 prevent neurodegenerative
disease?
[ A. ]
To date, there have been no studies
or research examining whether CoQ10
can prevent these diseases.
Alzheimer's disease prevention is being
clinically investigated. Researchers have
determined that people who take certain
anti-inflammatory medications seem less
likely to develop the illness. A large, multicentered
trial is studying this connection.30
[ Q. ]
How much CoQ10 should I take?
[ A. ]
Depending on your family history of
neurological disease and your disease
experience, studies show benefits at doses
of 100 to 200 mg of CoQ10 daily.
Some studies used doses of up to
1,200mg per day.
CoQ10's safety has been evaluated. To
date, no toxicities have been reported.31
Mild stomach upset may occur. Taking
CoQ10 with meals usually alleviates
this rare effect.31
[ Q. ]
What should I look for in a CoQ10
supplement?
[ A. ]
Use products which have a strong clinical
research track record, supported by
product-specific research from reputable
institutions, and have been proven to be
safe, tolerable and effective in treatment
of neurodegenerative diseases. The CoQ10
product you choose should be proven to:
be absorbed, enter the blood stream, cross the blood brain barrier and increase mitochondrial
levels of CoQ10.
If the product you are considering does not have evidence
to support these points, keep looking.
Once you have found a candidate,
examine the product's safety and efficacy
record for neurodegenerative diseasesâ€"
if the product has not been proven to be
safe and effective, keep looking. Good
products exist; however, caveat emptor.
Conclusion
CoQ10 supplementation for people with
neurodegenerative diseases is supported
by contemporary clinical research. CoQ10
is certainly not the only answer to the
complex issues of management and treatment
of these types of diseases. However,
research indicates that it is a bigger
piece of the puzzle than physicians and
scientists ever imagined. As we continue
to study this naturally occurring compound,
we are finding more and more
benefits to the body.
All CoQ10 is not created equal. For safety
and overall effectiveness, use a CoQ10
product that is supported by product specific research from reputable institutions,
which is proven to be safe, tolerable
and effective at high doses; deviating
from this set of criteria may do more
harm than good for people with these serious illnesses. Choose clinically tested products from a well-respected company and increase the potential to achieve and maintain brain and neurological health.
Check Out Our Full Product Listing Of
CoQ10 Products, Click Here!
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