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Excerpted from Ask the Dietician 4/06/04 Coenzyme Q10 and Parkinson's disease Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD A number of Parkinson centers have been studying the effects of Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10 for short) on people with PD; the results of the study have now been published. The study indicates that people in early stage PD, not yet using Sinemet, who used CoQ10 were able to delay the disabling effects of PD longer than those in the control group (who did not use CoQ10). That does not mean CoQ10 is a cure, nor that people will feel any different if they take it -- just that it may (or may not) slow the progression of neuronal cell death. The amounts of CoQ10 used in the study were 300 mg, 600mg, and 1200 mg per day. Those using the highest amount were able to slow progression of disability the longest. However, while hopeful, the study was too small to be conclusive. Many people, understandably, have questions about whether to take CoQ10, and if so, the kind and amount to take, and whether any adverse side effects are possible. What is CoQ10? CoQ10 is an antioxidant, manufactured in the human body, and also present in small amounts in some foods -- unsaturated oils, fish, meats and nuts. As we age, we produce less CoQ10; and it would be difficult to get a significant amount from foods. Some disease states tend to use up the body's store of CoQ10, and research is ongoing as to whether supplements of CoQ10 could be beneficial. It has been used to treat certain heart conditions, such as congestive heart disease; and also for patients with chronic renal failure and periodontal disease. Medications and CoQ10 -- Interactions Some medications may interfere with the action of CoQ10 or perhaps decrease its production in the body. Such medications include "statins", some diabetes drugs, and other medications. Many doctors now routinely prescribe supplements of CoQ10 for their patients who are taking cholesterol-lowering statins including lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), and pravastatin (Pravachol), and the dietary supplement Cholestin. It's also possible that some oral diabetes drugs (glyburide, phenformin, and tolazamide), beta-blockers (propranolol, metoprolol, and alprenolol), phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, methyldopa, hydrochlorothiazide, clonidine, and hydralazine may create a need for CoQ10, but this is not firmly established. If you are considering use of CoQ10 you should first discuss this with your doctor. And there is a single report that CoQ10 interfered with the medication warfarin (Coumadin), an anticoagulant. People using warfarin should not take CoQ10 without first consulting their physician. How much CoQ10 is safe to take? The typical recommended dosage of CoQ10 based on various past studies is 30 to 300 mg daily; however, the recent PD study used amounts up to 1200 mg per day. Do not take such a large amount without first consulting your doctor. If you do take supplements, it's best to take these in divided doses, two or three times a day, rather than all at once. What's the best form to use? CoQ10 is fat soluble; the oil-based soft gel is better absorbed than dry tablets or capsules. Because it can "auto-oxidize" -- become a free radical itself -- it's also best taken with 30 IU vitamin E. It appears that CoQ10 and vitamin E work synergistically (better together than separately). Some products contain both CoQ10 and vitamin E in the same pill. Some softgels that have passed Consumer Lab testing include: Nature Made 100 mg Nature's Bounty Q-Sorb 50 mg Vitamin World Naturally Inspired 75 mg Q-Gel Plus Coenzyme Q-10 30 mg Plus Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamin E Another product, used in research studies, including studies of Parkinson's disease, is Vitaline CoQ10. It has not been tested by Consumer Labs; however, the manufacturer states that it has been shown in studies to be safe and well tolerated. Side effects. There appear to be few adverse effects associated with the usual amounts used in studies -- 30 to 300 mg per day. Some reported side effects include stomach upset, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea. People taking CoQ10 late at night have reported insomnia. Amounts greater than 300 mg per day have been accompanied by increased levels of serum lactic dehydrogenase, and/or serum SGOT, a liver enzyme. Studies on the safety of CoQ10 have not been conducted on women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or on children, and these individuals should not use CoQ10. CoQ10 Buyers Club A gentleman on the forum, Dan Halligan, has researched the various brands of CoQ10 and has started a buyer's club, to purchase quantities of high-quality CoQ10 at the lowest possible prices. If you wish to contact him, please see his website at: http://www.pwpgroup.com/ or e-mail him at: [log in to unmask] Best regards, Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD -- For a Parkinson Tip of the Day visit: http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Study Suggests CoQ10 Slows Functional Decline in PD (repost) From: "Anonymous" <[log in to unmask]> Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 10:54:35 -0400 X-Message-Number: 11 Dear Listfriends, the following may be of interest, Best, Kathrynne Study Suggests Coenzyme Q10 Slows Functional Decline in Parkinson's Disease Results of the first placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial of the compound coenzyme Q10 suggest that it can slow disease progression in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD). While the results must be confirmed in a larger study, they provide hope that this compound may ultimately provide a new way of treating PD. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/pressrelease_parkinsons_coenzymeq10_101402.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "STANFORD BOYDEN" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 6:04 PM Subject: Re: COQ10 > I am the mother of a 34yo newly diagnosed Parkinsons patient. He is curre ntly enrolled in a research study that involves CoQ10. What do you know about this med. I would be interested to know. Thanks - Judie > > Dan Halligan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:If you want to write me directly I would be happy to share my experiences > with CoQ10. Also there is a lot of info at www.pwpgroup.com > [log in to unmask] > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Caryle" > To: > > Sent: Monday, April 05, 2004 1:17 PM > Subject: COQ10 > > > > Any one have any experience taking COQ10? > > > > Caryle > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Do you Yahoo!? > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > Yahoo! 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