• CAM-summaries
  • Alternative medical systems
  • Biologically-based practices
  • Diet & nutrition
    • Breuss cancer cure
    • Carctol
    • Co-enzyme Q10
      • What is Co-enzyme Q10?
      • How well does Co-enzyme Q10 work?
      • Is Co-enzyme Q10 safe?
      • Co-enzyme Q10 conclusions
    • Gerson diet
    • Green tea for prevention
    • Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet
    • Megamin
  • Energy medicine
  • Manipulative & body-based practices
  • Mind-body medicine
• CAM systematic reviews
• CAM and the law
• Prevalence of CAM use

Co-enzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like substance produced naturally by the body and used to assist the function of certain important enzymes within the cell. CoQ10 can be taken in supplement form and is suggested to provide some benefit to those with cancer. CoQ10 is thought to have many possible functions: as an antioxidant protecting against cell from damage, as an immune system stimulant and it is also said to be necessary for the energy production process within cells.

In the context of cancer, CoQ10 is believed to have three main possible benefits:

• possible anti-cancer effect,
• to protect the heart from toxic damage caused by chemotherapy drugs and
• to counteract chronic fatigue.

Evidence does not support the above CoQ10 claimed properties. In terms of implications for practice in the face of the known side effects and possible interactions, CoQ10 should be avoided during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.