Written by Helen Cooke, Helen Seers and the CAM-Cancer Consortium.
Updated September 21, 2011

Co-enzyme Q10

What is it?

Scientific/common names

Coenzyme Q10 is also known as: CoQ10, Q10, vitamin Q10, Ubiquinone, Ubidecarenone, Mitoquinone, Adelir, Heartcin, Neuquinone, Taidecanone and 2, 3 dimethoxy-5 methyl-6-decaorenyl benzoquinone.

Ingredients

Coenzyme Q10 is produced naturally by the body. In terms of dietary intake, CoQ10 is found in meat, fatty fish (for instance, sardines and mackerel), whole-grain cereals, brown rice, pasta, wholemeal bread, soya products, nuts and also vegetables (especially broccoli and spinach). Commercially, CoQ10 is made by fermenting beets and sugar cane with yeast.

Application and dosage

CoQ10 is sold as a dietary supplement and is usually administered by mouth as a pill (capsule or tablet), however, CoQ10 can also be given intravenously. According to proponents, manufacturers and providers, doses range from 50mg a day for maintenance to 400mg a day for “therapeutic” effects. The observed safety level (OSL) is 1200mg/day/person 54.

Claims of efficacy / mechanisms of action / alleged indication

A “coenzyme” is a molecule that is necessary for the proper functioning of an enzyme. The “Q” refers to the quinone chemical group and “10” is a particular type of quinone. In the human body, CoQ10 is part of the chain reaction necessary for energy production in cells. As well as this, some researchers class CoQ10 as an antioxidant 2 as it is believed to protect against excess free radicals which are thought to be implicated in tumour development. CoQ10 is also claimed to be an immunostimulant, however, this is based on not more than one study showing increases of IgG levels 3. CoQ10 is found in most tissues; however the liver, heart, kidneys and pancreas hold the highest concentrations and the lungs the lowest 4. Levels of CoQ10 are found to decrease with age. This is due to a decrease in mitochondrial CoQ10 content 5. Investigations also suggest lower tissue levels in people with heart disease 6 and cancer 1,9. Due to this finding, researchers have started to investigate whether CoQ10 could be useful in treating diseases such as cancer.

A study concluded that CoQ10 concentrations were significantly lower in melanoma patients than in a control group. Patients in whom metastases developed in this study had lower levels of CoQ10 than those who did not develop metastases 1,47. Observational studies have reported reduced levels of CoQ10 in diseased breast tissue, but it is not clear if this is simply part of the bodies natural response to cancer 50.

A 2010 cohort study concluded that higher CoQ10 levels in post-menopausal women may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer 55. A further prospective study reported an inverse relationship between circulating CoQ10 levels and breast cancer risk. The authors propose that a possible explanation of the opposing results is that women at either extreme of CoQ10 levels may be at an increased risk for breast cancer. Both studies are consistent in that women with circulating CoQ10 levels in the range of 500-800 ng/mL have the lowest risk if developing breast cancer 56. The results of a multi-ethnic cohort study suggest that moderate levels of circulating CoQ10 may be optimal for the reduction of prostate cancer risk, but the findings were not statistically significant 57.

At present it is unclear how and whether levels of CoQ10 alter when people are ill, therefore it is unknown if supplementation is necessary at all. Clinical and pre-clinical studies suggest that it helps protect the heart from toxic damage caused by the chemotherapy anthracycline. Although there has been concern that CoQ10 may interfere with the anticancer effects of anthracyclines, as it protects the heart from toxic damage, it is thought that higher doses of anthracycline may be able to be given which could enhance the anticancer effect of the chemotherapy 51.

According to proponents of CoQ10, there are three main potential benefits for taking it as a supplement: a) it may be an anti-cancer agent, b) it may support the body, lessening the toxic effects of chemotherapy and c) it may alleviate chronic fatigue.

Prevalence

In terms of prevalence of the use of the use of CoQ10, it is widely used in Japan, with government approval in relation to cardiovascular disease treatment 7. CoQ10 is also used in Europe 8 and North America 7, with the majority of CoQ10 products being provided by Japanese manufacturers 7.

Legal issues

Coenzyme Q10 is classed as a nutraceutical and therefore suppliers can only advertise in terms of health improving properties instead of medical claims 7.

Cost(s) and expenditure

A good quality CoQ10 supplement can cost between 20 and 70 Euros for 60 capsules. Since there are no clear guidelines on dosage and length of treatment, it is not possible to give an overall cost.

Citation

Helen Cooke, Helen Seers, CAM-Cancer Consortium. Co-enzyme Q10 [online document]. http://www.cam-cancer.org/layout/set/print/CAM-Summaries/Dietary-approaches/Co-enzyme-Q10. September 21, 2011.

Document history

Most recent revision and update in September 2011 by Helen Cooke.
Fully revised and updated in August 2009 by Helen Cooke.
First published in 2005, authored by by Helen Seers and Helen Cooke.

References

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Legal notice
The present documentation has been compiled by the CAM-CANCER Project with all due care and expert knowledge. However, the CAM-CANCER Project provides no assurance, guarantee or promise with regard to the correctness, accuracy, up-to-date status or completeness of the information it contains. This information is designed for health professionals. Readers are strongly advised to discuss the information with their physician. Accordingly, the CAM-CANCER Project shall not be liable for damage or loss caused because anyone relies on the information.