HEALTH NOTES
Co-Q10 - Part V
This week I’d like to discuss some of the research studies that have been performed regarding Co-Q10 for a variety of different conditions. Many individuals who have suffered blood clots, strokes, or various cardiovascular disorders are now taking a blood thinning agent such as Coumadin. I recently published a multiple series article regarding blood clots. If you wish to learn more about blood clots and the use of Coumadin, please refer to series of previous articles.

Due to the blood thinning effects of Co-Q10, many doctors are hesitant to utilize this dietary supplement with patients who are already using blood thinning agents such as Coumadin. However, a research study performed by Danish researchers and published in the Danish Medical Journal found there were essentially no adverse effects of supplementation utilizing 100mg of Co-Q10 on the clinical anti-coagulating effects of Coumadin. Having said this, as anyone knows who is taking a blood thinning agent, it is extremely important that blood levels be monitored on a regular basis to assess clotting time. These prothrombine times are typically performed at least on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. If your treating doctor is aware of the beneficial effects of Co-Q10, he or she may wish to implement this nutritional therapy to assist in reducing your blood’s clotting capabilities; however, blood levels must be monitored very closely by your treating doctor, particularly within the first two weeks of implementation of this nutraceutical therapy.

As always, I am recommending that you not consider any of these nutritional recommendations without first consulting your treating doctor. This is extremely important when implementing the use of any form of nutritional therapy.

Researchers at Pisa University in Italy found that Co-Q10 reduced DNA damage in muscular dystrophy patients. Researchers utilized patients ranging in age from 29 - 74 years who presented with multiple forms of muscular dystrophy. These patients received two weeks of therapeutic Co-Q10 administration. Untreated muscular dystrophy patients were used as controls and showed an increase in chromosomal damage over this time frame.

The researchers found that “patients receiving Ubidecarenone [a Co-Q10 analog] showed a statistically significant reduction in the frequency of monoucleated cells after therapy, while only a slight decrease was observed at the levels of both primary DNA damage and oxidized bases.” These research findings were reported in the January 2004 issue of Mutagenesis.

Research has also been performed in Spain, at the University of Grenada, on the effects of Co-Q10 in cancer patients. The researchers found that Co-Q10 supplementation significantly lowered cell growth in prostate cancer patients. Further research needs to be performed in this regard to see if Co-Q10 supplementation may actually be beneficial in other forms of cancer therapy.