Overview of Coenzyme Q10 Capsules

Dosage Strength

General Information

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), sometimes referred to as ubiquinone and ubidecarenone, is a vitamin-like substance that is produced in the body and is involved in a number of cellular functions. It belongs to the quinone family and is a fat-soluble antioxidant with structural similarities to vitamin K. In 1957, researchers at the University of Wisconsin extracted coenzyme Q10 for the first time from the hearts of cows. It is naturally present in food, primarily in modest levels in meat and shellfish. With age, endogenous CoQ10 levels decrease. Additionally, people with cancer, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, and various neurological conditions (such as Parkinson’s disease) have been found to have endogenous deficits of CoQ10. Coenzyme Q10 has been shown to be helpful in treating a number of illnesses; however, in order to see any therapeutic benefit from supplementation, it may be necessary to have a pre-existing state of CoQ10 insufficiency. CoQ10 has been investigated for its potential to improve athletic performance, as an adjunctive treatment for cardiovascular conditions, acute myocardial infarction, adjuvant therapy for metastatic breast cancer, prophylaxis of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy, familial cerebellar ataxia, periodontal disease, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, and mitochondrial disorders. The majority of these uses are predicated on conjecture or small, unreliable clinical investigations. Although the controlled data imply that CoQ10 does not assist individuals with heart failure, no definitive conclusion can be drawn on the efficacy of CoQ10 in these circumstances. Controlled studies are required to prove the therapeutic effectiveness of CoQ10 treatment for mitochondrial diseases. In December 1999, the FDA awarded orphan drug status for the treatment of mitochondrial cytopathies to one manufacturer of CoQ10, the GelTec/Tishcon Corporation, for the research of its patented supplement UbiQGel, despite initial studies showing minimal proof of efficacy1. Quinzyme tablets, produced by Zyber Pharmaceuticals, are a medical food that should only be used when a doctor is present.