CoQ10?

[question everything]

We have been taking it ever since we started taking statin. 100 mg from COSTCO.

The other day, however, spouse had a long phone visit with a pharmacist - has been taking many medications since his recent aortic root and aortic valve repairs - so they went over each prescription drug and over the counter supplement.

The pharmacist said that there is no research to support the use of CoQ10 though it does not cause any damage.

What do people here think?

[mopinko]

1. that's what my doc told me.

she had recommended it based on early research, but later said it hadnt panned out.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. My understanding is that CoQ10 is one of those things

that there's essentially no proof do what some people claim it does.

[Big Blue Marble]

3. This study may help.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30371340/

I would recommend that you do the research rather than ask on DU. There
is a strong anti-supplement bass present on this board.

[question everything]

6. Thanks. I actually looked at the Mayo Clinic page which is more recent than your link

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-coenzyme-q10/art-20362602

What caught my attention, though, is this


Anticoagulants. CoQ10 might make blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin (Jantoven), less effective. This could increase the risk of a blood clot.

Spouse is taking warfarin..

[Big Blue Marble]

10. You are right to be skeptical.

Navigating meds and supplements can be difficult. At least the internet can be helpful when you carefully
choose your sources.

[SheltieLover]

12. Eppocrates is great drug interaction checker - free

https://online.epocrates.com/interaction-check

[SheltieLover]

4. Here are some research articles.

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=coq10+research&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart

[question everything]

19. Thank. Fascinating.

[SheltieLover]

20. You are most welcome!

My pleasure!

Interestingly, one article states as we age, we don't absorb this nutrient as much as younger folks and it is difficult to get a sufficient amount from our food.

Whether that indicates that the use of a supplement is up to you and your medical provider.

[SheltieLover]

5. Mayo clinic seems to think it can be a great supplement for heart

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-coenzyme-q10/art-20362602

[question everything]

7. Thanks. Just found it myself.

[SheltieLover]

11. Yw!

There are also herbs I've read about that can also be helpful, but I'm not a doc or nurse, and have no idea about potential drug interactions.

[relayerbob]

8. He's wrong. Period. CoQ10 helps

I have congestive heart failure and CoQ-10, particuiarly the ubiquinol makes a HUGE and noticeable impact on my life. Without it, I can barely get around, and would likely be in a wheelchair all day. With it, I live a relatively normal life. Age and statins especially, dramatically reuce the body's supply of CoQ10, which is a required molecule in the conversion of carbohydrates to energy. As far as no research? Your pharmacist needs to go back to school, or quit playing doctor.

BTW, you can't OD on it, although it reaches a peak effectiveness and levels off. I take 400 mg ubiquinol per day

[question everything]

9. Thank you. Important information

As I posted above, spouse is now on warfarin - for a short duration, we hope - and according to the Mayo page, CoQ10 can interfere.

[relayerbob]

17. Yes, it can a problem with other meds

Especially anti-coagulants, and in large doses. OTOH, it also promotes healing once he is off warfarin

[SheltieLover]

13. In my experience, too many docs & pharmacists are RX only

But, brilliant as they are, their schooling does not teach them to think. Schools teach them to prescribe. Period.

As one very highly regarded Asia doctor once told me, "It is like they are in bottom of a well & look up. They see a tiny piece of sky & think it is the whole world."

[SheltieLover]

14. Ty for sharing!

So glad it helps you!

[blueinredohio]

15. My doctor said coq10 and Echinacea would help build up immune system.

[tanyev]

16. Personal experience:

Hubby’s endocrinologist put him on a statin and said nothing about COQ10. Some time after at a dentist appointment he was complaining about how often he was biting the inside of his mouth. First thing the dentist asked was whether has was on a statin and if he was taking COQ10 with it. We got some COQ10 and it helped him tremendously with that issue.

[SheltieLover]

21. Awesome that the dentist was aware!

[tanyev]

23. Yes, no telling how long it would have taken us to figure it out, if ever.

Still irritated that the endocrinologist apparently didn’t know.

[SheltieLover]

24. Well...

If you think about it, what do doctors do? They prescribe medication, many of the meds are from companies the docs have a lot of stock in.

It's just what they do - how they function, generally.

They NEVER look for the root cause of whatever the problem is, they prescribe chemicals to "fix" the symptom.

I always google nutritional support or even "forbidden remedies" for whatever is in question. You might be amazed by what you find. lol

[Midnight Writer]

18. My doctor said that statins reduce CoQ10 levels and a supplement is helpful.

[SheltieLover]

22. Great that your doctor is aware of this!

[miya123]

25. cool supplement

I read that this is one of the healthiest supplements

[gopiscrap]

26. welcome to DU