Other neurological abnormalities that can occur in primary coenzyme Q10 deficiency include seizures, intellectual disability, poor muscle tone (hypotonia), involuntary muscle contractions (dystonia), progressive muscle stiffness (spasticity), abnormal eye movements (nystagmus), vision loss caused by degeneration ( ...
What are the symptoms of CoQ10 deficiency? Whilst everyone is different, people who have a deficiency in CoQ10 levels often experience physical fatigue and muscle weakness, even while undertaking relatively non-strenuous physical activities such as walking.
CoQ10 deficiency in brain tissue can cause ataxia, together with a range of other neurological manifestations. CoQ10 deficiency in kidney tissue results in nephrotic syndrome and renal dysfunction, and deficiency in cardiac tissue results in weakened heart muscle, characteristic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy [16].
Levels of CoQ10 in your body decrease as you age. CoQ10 levels have also been found to be lower in people with certain conditions, such as heart disease, and in those who take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins.
One clinical study found that people who took daily CoQ10 supplements within 3 days of a heart attack were less likely to have subsequent heart attacks and chest pain. They were also less likely to die of heart disease than those who did not take the supplements.
Primary dietary sources of CoQ10 include oily fish (such as salmon and tuna), organ meats (such as liver), and whole grains. Most individuals obtain sufficient amounts of CoQ10 through a balanced diet, but supplementation may be useful for individuals with particular health conditions.
Recent research links low blood levels of CoQ10 with low levels of heart-protective “good” cholesterol which in turn may further increase risk for heart disease. Cholesterol-lowering statins may also reduce blood levels of CoQ10.
Discussion: The results show that lowered levels of CoQ10 play a role in the pathophysiology of ME/CFS and that symptoms, such as fatigue, and autonomic and neurocognitive symptoms may be caused by CoQ10 depletion.
Due to it's antioxidative effects, research has found that CoQ10 reduces inflammation in the body. This is significant because so many diseases are caused by inflammation. We are realizing that inflammation is often due to our poor health habits, insufficient sleep, and… you guessed it – lack of nutrients!
A Coenzyme Q10 Blood Test measures blood levels of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Preparation: Fasting is not required. Patients should not take Coenzyme Q10 supplements the morning of the test. Test Results: 4-6 days.
CoQ10 supplements aren't necessary for everyone. “If you have a balanced diet, and if you're young and healthy, you probably have enough CoQ10 in your body,” Peart says.
Many cardiologists place their patients on CoQ10 to help cardiac function as well as to reduce the bad side effects of statin cholesterol drugs. The supplement also may help decrease the pain of rheumatoid arthritis by decreasing the bad inflammatory chemicals that lead to cartilage breakdown.
In addition to reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems in patients with liver disease, CoQ10 supplementation may also benefit the disease process within the liver by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
A preliminary study has shown that administration of magnesium, selenium, and CoQ10 can actually prevent the damage to your thyroid gland that is often seen with thyroid autoimmunity.
To oversimplify, CoQ10 improves the blood flow and prevents plaque build-up in the arteries.
CoQ10 is fat-soluble, so it's better absorbed by the body if taken with a meal that contains fat. Also, taking it at night may increase your body's ability to absorb it.
I recommend Ubiquinol over CoQ10 supplements.
If they are the form the body uses the most of, that's a definite plus. Ubiquinol has 2x greater bioavailability and increases levels about 4x, where CoQ10 only increases 2x.
Dietary sources of CoQ10
CoQ10 is found in meat and poultry, especially organ meat such as liver, eggs, oily fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines, whole grains and nuts.
Along with protein, heart-healthy fats, and other important nutrients, nuts and seeds provide CoQ10, as well. Pistachios have 2 milligrams of CoQ10 per 100-gram serving, peanuts have 2.6 milligrams, and sesame seeds have 1.7 milligrams.
The data on CoQ10 and blood pressure is mixed, and most data suggests CoQ10 does not have an impact on heart rate [1,15]. Fish oil, however, has shown promising results in many research studies for lowering blood pressure and was shown to decrease heart rate in a few trials [10,16].
If you have been taking CoQ10 supplements while trying to conceive or through fertility treatments, we recommend stopping as soon as you are pregnant UNTIL you discuss it with your doctor. Up next: Ubiquinone vs. Ubiquinol: Which Type of CoQ10 is Better?
Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that CoQ10 has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and effects on mitochondrial dysfunction, which have been linked to the inflammatory response.