Wednesday, March 18, 2015

CoQ10 Prevents Heart Failure

Reposted from Life Extension

http://blog.lef.org/2015/03/coq10-prevents-heart-failure.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=normal

by Maylin Rodriguez-Paez RN

Heart failure is a leading cause of death in the United States. It’s caused when the heart does not pump blood effectively to meet the body’s oxygen demands. Symptoms may include cough, swelling, weakness, and difficulty breathing.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can help people with congestive heart failure, improving the heart’s pumping ability and even reducing the need for medications.

A study out of Denmark showed CoQ10 drastically lowered deaths related to heart failure. Let's explore the details.

CoQ10 Reduces Cardiac Deaths by 50%

Scientists recruited 420 heart failure patients with later stages of heart failure (III and IV) and monitored their condition for two years. These patients were assigned to take 100 mg of CoQ10 three times daily or a placebo. They were tracked for major cardiovascular events which is basically a heart-related emergency.

According to the results, CoQ10 supplementation decreased the risk of major cardiovascular events by 50%. And half as many patients died in the CoQ10 group (18) compared to the placebo group (36). Hospitalizations also decreased significantly.1
 In heart failure studies, this is the first compound to produce such a pronounced effect in over a decade. The lead investigator recommended CoQ10 as part of standard treatment for heart failure patients.

All Heart Failure Patients Should Consider Taking CoQ10

CoQ10 is found in almost every cell in the human body. Its “job” is to convert food into energy. The heart needs a continual source of energy in the form of CoQ10 to work optimally.

Research shows individuals with heart failure have decreased levels of CoQ10 in their bodies and suffer worse outcomes.2-3 These patients often take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins which can further deplete levels.

CoQ10 improves breathing, exercise capacity, decreases chest pain, and improves the quality of life of heart failure patients without significant side effects.2, 4-6
 Considering the results of this present study and other clinical trials, it only makes sense that heart failure patients consider adding this to their daily regimen.

References:

  1. Available at: http://www.escardio.org/congresses/hf2013/congress-to-you/Pages/new-data-CoQ10-improves-survival-heart-failure-patients.aspx. Accessed January 11, 2015. 
  2. Biofactors. 2003;18(1-4):79-89. 
  3. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1972;42(2):291–305. 
  4. Clin Cardiol. 2004 May;27(5):295-9. 
  5. J Assoc Physicians India. 1998 Mar;46(3):299-306. 
  6. Biofactors. 2008;32(1-4):145-9.
Posted by at