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The food supplement CO Q10 has recently received much positive press, with claims that it can help conditions such as cardiovascular disease, angina, cancer, diabetes and muscular dystrophy.
CO Q10 is short for Coenzyme Q10 a naturally produced coenzyme. Enzymes are produced within the body (usually synthesised as our bodies convert elements within foods to enzymes). CO Q10 is found in every single cell within the human body. CO Q10 is often described as being a spark plug, because it is needed to ensure that each cell is functioning as best it can.
Most people will eat enough foods that can convert to CO Q10, so they don't have to worry about taking a supplement. If you eat a sensible, balanced diet and are relatively young, then there is little to be feared in terms of being short of CO Q10. We produce most CO Q10 when we are in our twenties and then conversion declines; so people who are older may be deficient in CO Q10.
Deficiency of CO Q10
However, it is not just older people who may be deficient in this enzyme. A recent study undertaken by the University of Texas,found around 75% (in other words 3 out of 4) patients who had heart problems were deficient in CO Q10, especially in their heart tissue, in comparison to people who had never experienced heart problems. Other studies carried out echo these findings. So people who have heart problems may well have a CO Q10 deficiency.
Statins and CO Q10
Statins are a form of medication that are prescribed to reduce the amount of cholesterol present in the blood making people less susceptible to cardiovascular disease/heart attacks. Patients prescribed statins are therefore more likely to have a longer life.
Yet there are side effects with statins although the extent of these side effects is actually not something that is agreed. Some people do feel that they result in muscular pains and poor memory/brain function. But recent studies also suggest that when statins are in the body, they block CO Q10. This could mean that the muscle weakness or fatigue felt by people taking statins may not be a side effect: it may simply be due to their not producing enough CO Q10.
Within the US it is becoming relatively common practice people prescribed statins to also be prescribed CO Q10. Within the UK this is not happening (yet) but anecdotal evidence would suggest that heart patients who take CO Q10 with statins do face fewer side effects from the statins.
The amount of CO Q10 required to help with regard to counteracting the possible negative effects of statins is as yet unclear but the enzyme is certainly not harmful and it does not inhibit the performance of statins. The statins still lower the cholesterol, but the CO Q10 will help to counteract the blocking of CO Q10 that happens when you take statins.
Given that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to CO Q10 it may simply be worth seeing if it helps your loved one if they have any side effects that they think may be attributable to statins.
About this Author
Libbie Johnson is a freelance ghostwriter, who has recently published an ebook 'Life After A Loved One Has A Heart Attack' a survival guide for anyone living with a person who has had a heart attack. Passionate about health and heart issues, please check out Libbie's e-book and other information at ' http://www.afteraheartattack.co.uk
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