CoenzymeQ10 for treatment of Heart Failure

2013-07-24 10:31:30

Found in virtually every cell in our body but especially at high amounts in cells of the heart, liver and kidney, CoenzymeQ10 is a powerful antioxidant and essential to our body’s energy production. Although levels naturally decline with age, statin medications are known to decrease this even further and since low levels are an independent predictor of mortality in those with chronic heart failure⁽¹⁾ it seems a logical choice for treatment. A recently completed study presented at the 2013 Heart Failure Congress in Lisbon, Portugal is the first study of its kind to show CoQ10 improving survival in those with chronic heart failure. 420 patients classified with stage III or IV level heart failure currently receiving pharmaceutical treatment were randomly assigned to either receive 100mg CoQ10 three times per day or placebo.⁽²⁾ Assessment after three months showed a reduced level of NT-proBNP, a marker used to establish prognosis in heart failure, in the CoQ10 group. On 2 year follow up, the CoQ10 group had significantly less major adverse cardiovascular events, a significantly lower rate of cardiovascular mortality, lower number of hospitalizations for heart failure as well as lower mortality from all causes! In addition to these findings, they also found that fewer adverse events were reported in the CoQ10 group.A number of studies on CoQ10 and heart failure in the past have yielded positive results with virtually no side effects.^{(3, 4, and 5)} Already a standard treatment by most Naturopathic Doctors in treating cardiovascular disease, the latest piece of evidence provides even more support for its current use. Standard dose is 100mg 1-2x/day however higher doses may be recommended depending on the condition being treated.