Prevalence rates of congestive heart failure are relatively high, with around five million Americans reportedly living with the condition. In addition to medications, treatment regimen also includes dietary supplements such as coenzyme Q10. The supplement like others belong to the unregulated category and hence need to be taken with a certain degree of caution. Awareness about the supplement and coenzyme q10 side effects helps to take preventive measures which in turn helps to mitigate the adverse outcomes.
Overview of the supplement
Coenzyme q10 is used as part of holistic management of systolic hypertension and congestive heart failure. The lipid soluble coenzyme, belonging to the category of quinone group is a powerhouse of antioxidants, and is known to deliver the desired outcomes among individuals with the conditions. It has an important role to play in cells that require high metabolism. It works by increasing the cardiac input, while simultaneously helping patients with other diseases. The coenzyme helps to delay the onset of Parkinson’s, the age-related degenerative disorder, and is also used by patients with periodontal diseases.
The coenzyme is also used for treating fibromyalgia, migraine and also to manage diabetes. The mechanism of action includes acceptance of electrons, which makes it an essential co-factor. It plays a vital role in ATP production, which is the main energy source for cells. Packed with antioxidants, it helps in the prevention of peroxidation of lipid membranes. It prevents oxidation of LDL, VLDL known as bad cholesterol.
How does the mechanism of action of coenzyme Q10 help in delivering benefits?
Primarily two different actions by coenzyme Q10 are responsible for the benefits and outcomes which make it useful in treating various conditions. The first is the energy production role, and the second is the neutralization of free radicals. Multiple health complications are attributed to free radicals in the body and the neutralization by the essential cofactor helps in preventing or delaying certain diseases. Another manner in which coenzyme Q10 helps is the replication and repair of DNA.
What are the natural sources of the enzyme and why do the levels reduce?
Available in common food products consumed as a matter of routine, lower levels of the coenzyme are mainly the result of genetic inheritance and aging process. Patients on statin class of medications, typically used for reducing cholesterol levels are also likely to end up with lowered levels of the coenzyme. The coenzyme is available in meat, eggs and nuts apart from the oily fish varieties. Other reasons include mitochondria related disorders.
What health conditions may manifest if coenzyme levels are low?
As a result of lower coenzymeQ10 levels, individuals may end up with various health complications. This includes, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and heart disease. As a result of the uncontrolled or excessive amount of free radicals, the body may experience DNA mutations, inflammation and possible damage to tissue. These are all responsible for the above ailments, and the purpose of intake of coenzyme Q10 as a supplement is to neutralize free radicals, protect cells from damage and delay/prevent the onset of ailments. As can be seen from the types of diseases, some are known to serious in nature, while others are progressively degenerative.
How to prevent coenzyme q10 side effects?
Adverse or unwanted outcomes of supplements are a possibility and coenzyme Q10 is not an exception. However, most of the unwanted outcomes are directly related to the excessive intake of supplements beyond the recommended levels. To compound this problem further, supplements belong to the unregulated area and are beyond the purview of FDA approval, which makes it important to check for consistency in the dosage. The strength and dosage of a particular brand may be different from another brand and it is necessary to check the label carefully before procuring supplements.
Actual dosage of coenzyme Q10 can only be determined on the basis of the individual’s age, the specific condition being targeted, in addition to other existing ailments, medications and overall health condition. Regardless of actual dosage determined by requirements, it is necessary to ensure that the maximum dosage should never exceed 1200 mg per day. Most of the typical dosages or recommendations are anywhere between 60 milligrams to 500 milligrams per day.
Generally, high dosages are not intended for routine use, and are recommended for patients only during clinical assessments. The actual dosage is also considered on the basis of the form of the supplement and the manner in which the coenzyme is delivered. Changes in take frequency and dosage are also assessed on the basis of these considerations.
Benefits from use of coenzyme Q10 supplements
Various studies have been conducted to ascertain the claims about he benefits of the supplement. As outlined earlier, the main outcome is from the prevention of oxidative damage to cells, which are responsible for multiple conditions. Energy levels are also linked to CoQ10 and the essential cofactor is typically found in high levels in the hearts of healthy individuals. Person with lower levels of the cofactor are likely to experience one of multiple heart diseases. One of the different aspects of research include linking of the levels of the essential cofactor with heart ailments. In other words, low levels of are an indicator of possible onset of heart ailments at some later stage. Studies checked the effects of supplements among users with such early indicators of heart complications, and the results showed a distinct improvement.
Pain is an outcome of statin class of medications prescribed for lowering cholesterol levels. Medications of this category are known to bring down the levels of CoQ10, and consequently, patients are likely to experience muscular pain. Broadly classified as myopathy, the condition results in discomfort, and pain at levels that require some form of treatment. Supplementary CoQ10 has been studied to be effective in pain management caused due to a lowering of the coenzyme by medications.
Migraines cause extreme discomfort, and are known to upend routines, due to the distractive nature of the pain and discomfort. Migraine occurs as a result of inflammation of neurons in the trigeminovascular system which is a specific part of the brain. Migraine attacks include what is known as the headache phase, which causes the discomfort. This headache phases begins in the trigeminovascular system, and the us of he supplement is known to offer relief from this headache phase. Studies conducted on the effects also determined that the coenzyme had measurable results in bring down the inflammation as seen from the reduction in the inflammatory biomarkers.
Dysfunctions due to impaired functioning of the mitochondria results in various diseases, typically attributed to advancing age. Neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s affect the way the aged behave, and impacts abilities. One of the reasons for this age-related degeneration is the damage caused by free radicals. Supplements are recommended in an effort to fight he effects of damage caused by free radicals, apart from increasing the levels of antioxidants. Studies Research in to the effects of the essential cofactor have determined that supplementary CoQ10 has helped increase antioxidants, resulting in lesser damage from free radicals.
As outlined earlier, the essential cofactor has a role in the production of energy. This results in enhanced performance physically, and could deliver potential results in individuals indulging in in tensive resistance training or workouts. The actual effect on performance is yet to be assessed in a manner that could provide statistics; however, by virtue of the role, the coenzyme is known to offer impressive results. Typically, individuals attempting to boost energy levels through supplements may combine various supplements such as selenium supplements, CoQ10 and other supplements which will all combine to combat specific effects while enhancing overall health.
Is there a possibility of CoQ10 interacting with other formulations?
Supplements and medications may interact with other formulations and CoQ10 is not an exception. The most commonly reported interactions of the essential cofactor is the effect on blood thinners. As blood thinners are important prescription medications, it may be necessary to avoid the supplements. The effectiveness of anticoagulants may be compromised as a result of the interaction between the supplements and the medication, resulting in elevated risk of blood clot formation. The coenzyme is also known to have an effect on insulin taken by diabetics, and is therefore to be avoided. Chemotherapy medication may also interact with the essential cofactor, mandating the need for additional caution and specific medical advice.
How to ward off or prevent coenzyme q10 side effects?
Adverse or unwanted outcomes due to supplement intake are a possibility and cannot be ruled out. Most of the undesirable outcomes are attributed to intake levels, and side effects of the essential cofactor in supplement form are generally mild in nature. However, there is also the possibility of a small percentage of individuals ending up with adverse effects warranting treatment. For the purpose of studies, doses of around 3000 mg daily were used on participants, highlighting the fact that the supplement is relatively well tolerated even at high dosages.
Symptoms that are commonly reported include nausea; generally experienced during the initial stages of starting the supplement. Simple and effective methods to avoid this side effect include consumption along with food or after food. Individuals who consume it before food are more likely to experience feelings of nausea, especially during the initial period. Pain in the stomach is another possible outcome that may be experienced initially, which may gradually resolve. An effective way to avoid this is to start off on a lower dosage and gradually increase the dose. Feelings of dizziness and fatigue are other common conditions that may be experienced by users. Dizzy feelings are more likely to occur when individuals rise from a reclining position suddenly; this can be resolved by avoiding quick movements from a rested position.
There is also the possibility of patients experiencing heartburn, when on the supplements. Altering the dosage will help to certain extent, and this effect is also known to resolve naturally, gradually. Headaches are a possible adverse outcome of the supplement. While it is recommended for relief from headaches from migraines, it actually could trigger headaches that are different from the headache associated with migraine. Other notable undesirable effects include rashes on the skin and possible sensitivity to sunlight. It is also likely that users experience insomnia during the initial stages of taking the supplements.
Education: Bachelor’s in Biology from the University of California, Berkeley; Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Experience: 10 years as a freelance health writer and editor, contributing to blogs and magazines focused on preventive medicine and fitness.
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