Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone and CoQ10, is a vitamin-like substance that was first isolated in 1957 from beef heart mitochondria. Mitochondria contain enzymes that produce energy for cells. Coenzymes are cofactors that enzymes depend on for their function. CoQ10 has specifically been studied for its role in cellular energy production. Professor Karl Folkers and his associates at Merck, Inc. were the first to produce CoQ10 in 1958. Dr. Folkers received the Priestly Medal from the American Chemical Society in 1986 and the National Medal of Science from President Bush in 1990 for his work with CoQ10 and other vitamins.

CoQ10 deficiency has been recognized in a variety of diseases in both animal and human studies. This deficiency can be caused by inadequate dietary supply, impaired synthesis by the body, greater utilization by the body or a combination of the three. The majority of CoQ10 in humans is synthesized by the body. This process is a 17-step process involving 7 vitamins and several trace elements. Because of the complexity of this process, it is very vulnerable to disruption. For example, cholesterol-lowering drugs that block HMG-CoA to block cholesterol production also block the production of CoQ10.

CoQ10 is highly concentrated in heart muscle cells because of the high energy needs of these cells. Most of the research on CoQ10 has been focused on heart disease, especially congestive heart failure. It appears that the severity of heart failure correlates with the severity of CoQ10 deficiency. It is not known if CoQ10 deficiency is a cause or a result of heart failure but it does appear that CoQ10 supplementation improves heart function when given during heart failure.

Medicine has utilized an "attack strategy" for the past 50 years since the introduction of medications to treat illness. Disease is seen as something that can be attacked with medication, surgery, or radiation. While the contributions of these methods have been notable and significant, it cannot be denied that they do not restore the host to its normal healthy status. Some feel that advances in drug therapy have reached a plateau; that most new drugs are actually variants of old drugs. It is believed that the next advances will be in the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology. Vitamins and other essential elements of food, like CoQ10, will be used to support the sick host in conditions where nutritional depletion and disruption of cellular processes occur. The combination of disease-attacking treatment and nutritional host support would appear likely to yield better results.

CoQ10 supplements are absorbed in varying degrees. Doses of 30 to 45 mg appear to be beneficial in heart disease. Absorption varies in individuals and by product. Daily doses of 100 mg taken with food seem reasonable to supplement the diet. CoQ10 supplementation is currently not recommended for heart failure or any other heart disease. CoQ10 supplementation to improve any medical condition should not be started without the consent of the physician. However, there is much research that indicates that it may be helpful in certain conditions or for people taking certain medications that deplete CoQ10. Ask your pharmacist if your medications deplete CoQ10. Talk to your doctor if you feel that CoQ10 supplementation may be beneficial for you.

Reference: http://faculty.washington.edu/ely/coenzq10.html.

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