Submitted by Dr T on January 9, 2011 – 4:22pm
Question:
Can you render an opinion on whether CoQ10 has much value, with regard to heart and cardiology? Also, if you think it does have value, is there a dosage you can recommend?
Statins may reduce Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10, CQ10), an anti-oxidant that is available in the United States as an (expensive) dietary supplement.
Although there are many claims about its supposed benefits in cancer and heart failure, there is no evidence that use of CoQ10 will be helpful. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements in the same way it regulates medicines. A dietary supplement can be sold with limited or no research on how well it works or on its safety. I blogged about this before.
You can buy CoQ10 in health stores and don’t need a prescription. Since its actions are doubtful, I cannot advice you whether to take it or how much.
Hope this helps,
Dr T