The use of coenzyme Q10 in congestive heart failure continues to be
recommended on the basis of anecdotal and uncontrolled data. Proponents of
CoQ10 hold that the studies showing it ineffective did not achieve a high enough
blood level of the nutrient. They claim that the sickest patients are so
depleted of CoQ10 that they require the highest doses. They also conclude
that just as cardiologists recommend lower doses of ACE-inhibitors and keep
doubling the dose until a therapeutic response is achieved, so should the dose
of CoQ10 continue to be increased until the patient improves.
In response, the researchers who completed the most recent study state that
the advertisement of CoQ10 for the treatment of heart failure is based on
unsubstantiated theoretical ideas. They conclude that while it is
possible that higher concentrations of the substance may be more beneficial than
lower concentrations, many of the studies concluding that CoQ10 was effective
achieved only similar or even lower blood concentrations. In regard to
ACE-inhibitor use, while the drug is effective at higher doses, it is also quite
effective, as many cardiac medicines are, at lower doses. Meanwhile, using
anecdotal evidence to advocate the use of high doses of a drug shown to be
ineffective in controlled studies is inappropriate. Of
recent, CoQ10 is being researched and applied in newer clinical arenas
including Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, diabetes mellitus,
and mitochondrial disorders. Preliminary evidence is suggestive
that there may be a future for these therapies, however the scientific
consensus remains that these uses need to be substantiated before
endorsement into traditional western medical practice. Nonetheless,
there are no clear contraindications to CoQ10 and no limiting side
effects to temper their use.
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