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Someone recently posted some information on Coenzyme Q-10 (I apologize for not remembering who posted it) which made me curious as to it's benefits and whether it would be helpful to my mother who is a PWP. I asked my sister, Nancy, to look into it since she is more familiar with natural supplements than I. Here is what she found: ... you asked about Coenzyme Q-10. I did an extensive search on Co Q-10 on the web which brought me most often to sites that sell the supplement. But I did end up finding a site called Life Extension Foundation. Anyone familiar with it? It offers their suggestions for medications and supplements for many different conditions and diseases. On the Parkinsons Page: http://lef.org/protocols/prtcl-088.shtml It suggests that 100mg 3 times a day of Coenzyme Q-10 would be helpful. It also suggests other supplements such as DHEA and melatonin. Another thing it said was that vitamin B6 can prevent L- dopa from reaching the brain which is not a good thing. I suspect this means to be careful of B6 in daily vitamins? Here is what I found on Coenzyme Q-10 in a book I have. It was listed with the enzymes and nutritional supplements like DHEA, Melatonin, and Blue-Green Algae. It sounds like a pretty good thing to take overall, so may get added to my list which now consists of garlic, cranberry, ginseng (Siberian), Ginko biloba, Primrose oil, PMS formula, multiple vitamins, C, E, B, and various other concoctions. It actually sounds like it is best for the heart. Coenzyme Q-10, also known as ubiquinone, is one of the most important nutrients known to man. There are ten different coenzymes, but only Co Q-10 is found in human tissue, in every cell of the body. This enzyme is an essential nutrient, an important antioxidant, and aids in the activity of other enzymes. Co Q-10 can be synthesized in the body, but defiencies are fairly common as the ability of the body to synthesize the enzyme decreases with age. Co Q-10 is a primary ingredient of cellular mitochondria. It is a catalyst in the production of energy and boosts biochemical ability. It is found in high concentrations in organs that require abundant amounts of energy such as the heart and liver. Co Q-10 is similar to vitamins E and K in its chemical structure. It is also thought to resemble vitamin E in its ability to function as an antioxidant. It has the ability to neutralize free radicals which cause damage to the cells. Because of the immune enhancing abilities of this enzyme, it may help with conditions such as AIDS, cancer, viral and bacterial infections, and tumors. Co Q-10 has shown significant benefits when used by cardiac patients. The heart muscle needs this essential nutrient to function properly. When there is a deficiency, a myriad of cardovascular problems can occur. Clinical tests have shown favorable results with heart patients taking Co Q-10. The coenzyme may help protect the heart from damage suffered during a heart attack. It may also help reduce tissue damage which occurs during open heart surgery and may aid with heart transplant patients. Some researchers believe that just the addition of Co Q-10 to the diet will improve heart performance, even without exercise. One study confirmed this theory. Volunteers were given a daily dose of the enzyme for eight weeks. Oxygen utilization and exercise capacity of the heart both improved. Co Q-10 is present in many foods such as wheat bran, beef heart, spinach, peanuts and rice and is also thought to be safe when taken as a supplement. Even high doses have not shown to cause serious side effects. Some minor cases of gastrointestinal problems have been reported, but complications are rare and not severe. Dennis Liebl ([log in to unmask]) Son of PWP Lillian (79/1) <Prodigy Distribution List> TO: MLAD79F