Clinical applications for CoQ10
CoQ10 for High blood pressure (hypertension)
Preliminary research suggests that CoQ10 causes small decreases in blood pressure (systolic and possibly diastolic). Low blood levels of CoQ10 have been found in people with hypertension, although it is not clear if CoQ10 "deficiency" is a cause of high blood pressure. It is not known what dose is safe or effective. CoQ10 is less commonly used to treat hypertension than it is for other heart conditions such as congestive heart failure. Well-designed long-term research is needed to strengthen this recommendation.
CoQ10 for Alzheimer's disease
Promising preliminary evidence from human research suggests that CoQ10 supplements may slow down, but not cure, dementia in people with Alzheimer's disease. Additional well-designed studies are needed to confirm this result before a firm recommendation can be made. Grade C
CoQ10 for Angina (chest pain from clogged heart arteries)
Preliminary small human studies suggest that CoQ10 may reduce angina and improve exercise tolerance in people with clogged heart arteries. Better studies are needed before a firm recommendation can be made.
CoQ10 for Anthracycline chemotherapy heart toxicity
Anthracycline chemotherapy drugs, such as doxorubicin (Adriamycin), are commonly used to treat cancers such as breast cancer or lymphoma. Heart damage (cardiomyopathy) is a major concern with the use of anthracyclines, and CoQ10 has been suggested to protect the heart. However, studies in this area are small and not high quality and the effects of CoQ10 remain unclear.
CoQ10 for Breast cancer
Several studies in women with breast cancer report reduced levels of CoQ10 in diseased breast tissue or blood. It has been suggested by some researchers that raising CoQ10 levels with supplements might be helpful. However, it is not clear if CoQ10 is beneficial in these patients, or if the low levels of CoQ10 may actually be a part of the body's natural response to cancer, helping to fight disease. Supplementation with CoQ10 has not been proven to reduce cancer, and has not been compared to other forms of treatment for breast cancer.
CoQ10 for Cardiomyopathy (dilated, hypertrophic)
There is conflicting evidence from research on the use of CoQ10 in patients with dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Different levels of disease severity have been studied (New York Heart Association heart failure classes I through IV). Some studies report improved heart function (ejection fraction, stroke volume, cardiac index, exercise tolerance), while others find no improvements. Most trials are small or not well designed. Better research is needed in this area before a recommendation can be made.
CoQ10 for Exercise performance
The effects of CoQ10 on exercise performance have been tested in athletes, normal healthy individuals, and in people with chronic lung disease. Results are variable, with some research suggesting benefits, and other studies showing no effects. Most trials have not been well-designed. Better research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
CoQ10 for Friedreich's ataxia
Preliminary research reports promising evidence for the use of CQ10 in the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia. Further evidence is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
CoQ10 for Gum disease (periodontitis)
Preliminary human studies suggest possible benefits of CoQ10 taken by mouth or placed on the skin or gums in the treatment of periodontitis. Improvements in bleeding, swelling, and pain are reported. However, available studies are small and not high quality. Better research is needed before a conclusion can be drawn.
CoQ10 for Heart attack (acute myocardial infarction)
There is preliminary human study of CoQ10 given to patients within three days after a heart attack. Reductions in deaths, abnormal heart rhythms, and second heart attacks are reported, although better research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
CoQ10 for Heart conditions (mitral valve prolapse in children)
There is early data to support the use of CoQ10 in children with mitral valve prolapse. Well-designed clinical trials are needed before a recommendation can be made.
CoQ10 for Heart failure
The evidence for CoQ10 in the treatment of heart failure is controversial and remains unclear. Different levels of disease severity have been studied (New York Heart Association classes I through IV). Several studies have shown benefits of coenzyme Q10 in people who have been diagnosed with chronic heart failure (with or without cardiomyopathy), including in transplant recipients. Some studies report improved heart function (ejection fraction, stroke volume, cardiac index, exercise tolerance), while others find no improvements. Most trials are small or not well designed. In some parts of Europe, Russia, and Japan, CoQ10 is considered a part of standard therapy for congestive heart failure patients. Better research is needed in this area, studying effects on quality of life, hospitalization, death rates, before a recommendation can be made.
CoQ10 for Heart protection during surgery
Several studies suggest that the function of the heart may be improved after major heart surgeries such as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) or valve replacement when CoQ10 is given to patients before or during surgery. Better studies that measure effects on long-term heart function and survival are necessary before a recommendation can be made.
CoQ10 for HIV/AIDS
There is limited evidence that natural levels of CoQ10 in the body may be reduced in people with HIV/AIDS. There is no reliable scientific research showing that CoQ10 supplements have any effect on this disease.
CoQ10 for Increasing sperm count (idiopathic spermatozoa)
There is early evidence that supports the use of CoQ10 in the treatment of increasing sperm count and motility. Better studies are needed before a strong recommendation can be made.
CoQ10 for Kidney failure
There is initial data from one small trial to support the use of CoQ10 in the treatment of kidney (renal) failure. More research is needed before a recommendation can be made
CoQ10 for Migraine
There is fair evidence to support the use of CoQ10 treatment in migraine prevention or treatment. However, more well-designed studies are needed to confirm these findings.
CoQ10 for Mitochondrial diseases and Kearns-Sayre syndrome
COQ10 is often recommended for patients with mitochondrial diseases, including myopathies, encephalomyopathies, and Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Several early studies report improvements in metabolism and physical endurance in patients with these conditions after treatment with CoQ10, although most available research is not high quality or definitive. Better studies are needed before a strong recommendation can be made.
CoQ10 for Muscular dystrophies
Preliminary studies in patients with muscular dystrophy taking COQ10 supplements describe improvements in exercise capacity, heart function, and overall quality of life. Additional research is needed in this area.
CoQ10 for Parkinson's disease
There is promising human evidence for the use of CoQ10 in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Better-designed trials are needed to confirm these results.
CoQ10 for Diabetes
Preliminary evidence suggests that CoQ10 does not affect blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and does not alter the need for diabetes medications.
CoQ10 for Huntington's disease
There is negative evidence from studies that used CoQ10 in the treatment of Huntington's disease.