From the Guidelines
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation is recommended at a dose of 100-200 mg/d to reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP) in patients with cardiometabolic disorders, as evidenced by a recent systematic review and meta-analysis 1. The benefits of CoQ10 supplementation include reducing SBP by approximately 4.77 mmHg, which is accompanied by an elevation of circulating CoQ10 levels 1. Key benefits of CoQ10 supplementation include:
- Reducing SBP in patients with cardiometabolic diseases, with more pronounced effects in those with diabetes and dyslipidemia 1
- Elevating circulating CoQ10 levels, with a U-shaped dose-response relation observed between CoQ10 supplementation and SBP level 1
- Potential benefits in reducing frequency and severity of headaches in migraine sufferers, supporting exercise performance, and slowing progression of neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease, although these effects are not directly addressed in the provided study 1 It is essential to note that the quality of evidence for these benefits varies, with moderate evidence for SBP reduction, low evidence for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reduction, and very low evidence for circulating CoQ10 elevation 1. When considering CoQ10 supplementation, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider, especially for patients taking blood thinners or diabetes medications, as CoQ10 may interact with these medications 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Benefits of CoQ10
The benefits of CoQ10 supplementation have been studied in various clinical trials, with a focus on its effects on heart failure and cardiovascular diseases. Some of the benefits include:
- Improved cardiac function, with an increase in ejection fraction (EF) of 1.77% to 3.81% 2
- Potential reduction in mortality and hospitalizations, with a risk ratio (RR) of 0.69 to 0.58 in favor of CoQ10 for mortality and a RR of 0.62 for hospitalizations 2
- Increased CoQ10 levels in the blood, with an increase of 1.40 μg mL-1 2
- Antioxidant properties, which can help reduce oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in heart failure 3
- Potential therapeutic approach for the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, such as lipid and lipoprotein levels, blood pressure, or endothelial function 4
Mechanisms of Action
CoQ10 plays a key role in the electron transport chain, providing an adequate and efficient supply of energy to the cells. It also has antioxidant properties, acting in mitochondria, other cell compartments, and plasma lipoproteins. CoQ10 deficiency is present in chronic and age-related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases 4.
Safety and Efficacy
The safety and efficacy of CoQ10 supplementation have been studied in various clinical trials. CoQ10 supplementation has been shown to be safe and well-tolerated, with no adverse hemodynamic profile or safety issues 3. However, more research is needed to optimize CoQ10 therapy and to fully understand its effects on cardiovascular diseases 2, 5.