The supplement coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is often recommended as a complementary treatment for heart conditions such as congestive heart failure (CHF) and heart attack. It has also shown promise as a treatment for high blood pressure.
The typical recommended dosage of CoQ10 is 30 mg to 300 mg daily; higher daily intakes have been used in some studies. In the studies discusses here, patients were given daily doses of 60 mg, 120 mg, and 200 mg (in two doses).
CoQ10 is fat soluble and may be better absorbed when taken in an oil-based soft gel form rather than in a dry form such as tablets and capsules.11 Dividing the total daily dosage up into two or more separate doses may produce higher blood levels.12 A finely ground up (“nanoparticular”) form of the supplement appears to be much better absorbed than standard CoQ10 products.13
An 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 59 men already taking medication for high blood pressure found that 120 mg daily of CoQ 10 reduced blood pressure by about 9% as compared to placebo.7
In addition, a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 83 people with isolated systolic hypertension (a type of high blood pressure in which only the "top" number is high) found that use of CoQ 10 at a dose of 60 mg daily improved blood pressure measurements to a similar extent.53
Also, in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 74 people with diabetes, use of CoQ 10 at a dose of 100 mg twice daily significantly reduced blood pressure as compared to placebo.62
Antihypertensive effects were also seen in earlier smaller trials.8-10
It is not yet clear how CoQ10 helps lower blood pressure. The supplement is used for other cardiovascular conditions because, among other things, it might assist the heart during times of stress on the heart muscle, perhaps by helping it use energy more efficiently.
The supplement coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is often recommended as a complementary treatment for heart conditions such as congestive heart failure (CHF) and heart attack. It has also shown promise as a treatment for high blood pressure.
It is not yet clear how CoQ10 helps lower blood pressure. The supplement is used for other cardiovascular conditions because, among other things, it might assist the heart during times of stress on the heart muscle, perhaps by helping it use energy more efficiently.
The typical recommended dosage of CoQ10 is 30 mg to 300 mg daily; higher daily intakes have been used in some studies. In the study discusses here, patients were given daily doses of 120 mg.
CoQ10 is fat soluble and may be better absorbed when taken in an oil-based soft gel form rather than in a dry form such as tablets and capsules.11 Dividing the total daily dosage up into two or more separate doses may produce higher blood levels.12 A finely ground up (“nanoparticular”) form of the supplement appears to be much better absorbed than standard CoQ10 products.13
In a double-blind trial, 145 people who had recently experienced a heart attack were given either placebo or 120 mg of CoQ 10 daily for 28 days.1 The results showed that participants receiving CoQ 10 experienced significantly fewer heart-related problems, such as episodes of angina pectoris or arrhythmia, or recurrent heart attacks.
CoQ 10 taken in combination with the mineral selenium has also shown promise for people who have survived a heart attack.2
The supplement coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is thought to improve heart function. Research demonstrates that it might help with heart-related problems, such as recurrent heart attacks, congestive heart failure, angina, and arrhythmia.
CoQ 10 taken in combination with the mineral selenium has also shown promise for people who have survived a heart attack.2
Enter section content...
The effects of CoQ10 on heart attacks and related conditions are not completely clear. Some evidence suggests that CoQ10 might assist the heart during times of stress on the heart muscle, perhaps by helping it use energy more efficiently.
The supplement coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is thought to improve heart function. Research demonstrates that it might help with heart-related problems, such as recurrent heart attacks, congestive heart failure, angina, and arrhythmia.
CoQ 10 taken in combination with the mineral selenium has also shown promise for people who have survived a heart attack.2
The effects of CoQ10 on heart attacks and related conditions are not completely clear. Some evidence suggests that CoQ10 might assist the heart during times of stress on the heart muscle, perhaps by helping it use energy more efficiently.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is a major part of the body's mechanism for producing energy. People with congestive heart failure (CHF) have significantly lower levels of CoQ10 in heart muscle cells than healthy people.42 This fact alone does not prove that CoQ10 supplements will help CHF; however, it prompted medical researchers to try using this supplement as a treatment for heart failure. The results of some of these studies are very promising.
Research demonstrates that the amino acid taurine may be even more effective at treating CHF than CoQ10 is.
