67 replies to this topic

[Aphrodite]

Many take Q10 in the mistaken belief that it will treat HD and extend their lives. In fact Q10 may shorten life.

Instead of using massive doses of Q10 to attempt to increase brain Q10 levels it may be more important to find ways to reduce brain levels of Q10. The neuroprotective effects of the popular statins may be because statins reduce Q10 levels. The benefits of a calorie restricted diet (ref) for HD mice may be due to less Q10.

Q10 is thought to cause oxidative damage. The blood brain barrier protects the brain from the effects of Q10 supplementation but there is no protection from the muscle damage found in HD patients.

Although this one study may not be definitive for humans it shifts the benefit/risk ratio for Q10 to unacceptable.

Under certain circumstances, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may become a pro-oxidant. These circumstances are conditions in which hypoxia or lack of oxygen occurs. In cases of shock, heart attack, stroke, or poor circulation, CoQ10 auto-oxidizes and unleashes massive amounts of various free radicals that damage delicate tissues and because CoQ10 is necessary for electron transport and ATP (chemical energy) production, cellular death may ensue.

The secret to long life, for worms at least, may be cutting back on a micronutrient called coenzyme Q, researchers report.

Worms deprived of the substance lived nearly 60% longer than worms on a normal diet, according to a report in the January 4th issue of the journal Science.

It is well known that animals that eat fewer calories live longer. Drs. Pamela L. Larsen and Catherine F. Clarke of the University of California, Los Angeles, set out to see whether the contents of an animal's diet might also affect its life span.

Working with a type of worm called C. elegans, the researchers eliminated coenzyme Q--a fatty substance found in cell membranes--from the animals' diet. This substance is involved in transporting electrons during the cellular respiration process.

Adult worms on the restricted diet lived an average of 59% longer than those fed a diet containing coenzyme Q, Larsen and Clarke report.

Larsen told Reuters Health that she and Clarke tested the ''Q-less'' diet on several different genetic varieties of C. elegans worms to understand the interaction between diet and genes. ``We found that all the mutants lived longer on a Q-less diet as adults,'' she said.

The researchers speculate that reduced consumption of coenzyme Q may extend the life span of worms by minimizing the damage caused by a cellular process called oxidation.

The results were surprising since coenzyme Q is an antioxidant, meaning it can counteract the effects of byproducts of the oxidation process, Larsen said. This may be true, but the substance also appears to be a ``pro-oxidant,'' according to the California researcher.

``Coenzyme Q may cause more oxidative damage than it prevents depending on how much is in the animal, where it is within the cell (and) the age and genetic make-up of the worm,'' she said.

But extending life span may not be as simple as removing the coenzyme from the diet.

``The amount of (coenzyme Q) that is most beneficial appears to be different for the larvae'' than for adult worms, Larsen said. ``Ones that consume it are better off than those that do not while they are growing up,'' she said.

The investigators found that worms fed a diet lacking the substance from birth were much more likely to develop reproductive defects than worms that started the diet towards the end of the larval stage of development.

Right now, how much coenzyme Q people need is uncertain, according to Larsen. ``We expect that the optimal amount of coenzyme Q will vary among individuals and may differ over the life cycle,'' she said.
There are several possible explanations for the link between longer life and a coenzyme Q-free diet in worms, including an effect on the communication between different parts of cells, according to Drs. Marc Tatar and David M. Rand of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

They conclude in an accompanying editorial that similar experiments should be performed in other species such as fruit flies and

[caston]

Ahh this must be the darkside of Q10 that I have been hearing about. There was some attempt to make modified synthetic Q10 with less downside??

glittergal: where did you source this article?

Edited by caston, 18 May 2008 - 03:16 AM.

[abelard lindsay]

Idebenone which is modified Q10 does not cause oxidative damage under low oxygen conditions. Not many people have really heard about it except us supplement nerds.

[senseix]

Idebenone which is modified Q10 does not cause oxidative damage under low oxygen conditions. Not many people have really heard about it except us supplement nerds.

Does Idebenone get in to the system like Ubiquinol or even better maybe?

[lynx]

Sorry, but this research has been challenged becuase the Q-less diet was not equivalent.

read this posted at sci-life-extension

timoth...@my-deja.com View profile

From: timoth...@my-deja.com

Subject: Altered bacterial metabolism, not coenzyme Q content, is responsible
for the lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans fed an
Escherichia coli diet lacking coenzyme Q

I suspect experiments done by Sohal and others that resulted in no
lifespan extension by ubiquinone supplementation may have been the
result of poor absorption, so no significant increase in tissue
concentration was produced. In the experiments by Bliznakov ubiquinone
was given by IP administration the result was a highly significant LS
extension in already aged mice. The other study where ubiquinone was
given by oral administration it was in conjunction with high levels of
Omega 6 fatty acids which would facilitate absorption as ubiquinone is
lipid soluble. The LEF recently introduced ubiquinol which is claimed
by the manufacturer to be 8 times as absorbable and maintain serum
levels for a much longer period produced some rather exciting results
in prematurely aging mice. The results however have not been published
to my knowledge.

Aging Cell
Volume 7 Issue 3 Page 291-304, June 2008


To cite this article: Ryoichi Saiki, Adam L. Lunceford, Tarra Bixler,
Peter Dang, Wendy Lee, Satoru Furukawa, Pamela L. Larsen, Catherine F.
Clarke (2008) Altered bacterial metabolism, not coenzyme Q content, is
responsible for the lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans fed
an Escherichia coli diet lacking coenzyme Q
Aging Cell 7 (3) , 291–304 doi:10.1111/j.1474-9726.2008.00378.x


Altered bacterial metabolism, not coenzyme Q content, is responsible
for the lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans fed an
Escherichia coli diet lacking coenzyme Q



Coenzyme Qn is a fully substituted benzoquinone containing a
polyisoprene tail of distinct numbers (n) of isoprene groups.
Caenorhabditis elegans fed Escherichia coli devoid of Q8 have a
significant lifespan extension when compared to C. elegans fed a
standard ‘Q-replete’ E. coli diet. Here we examine possible mechanisms
for the lifespan extension caused by the Q-less E. coli diet. A
bioassay for Q uptake shows that a water-soluble formulation of Q10 is
effectively taken up by both clk-1 mutant and wild-type nematodes, but
does not reverse lifespan extension mediated by the Q-less E. coli
diet, indicating that lifespan extension is not due to the absence of
dietary Q per se. The enhanced longevity mediated by the Q-less E.
coli diet cannot be attributed to dietary restriction, different Qn
isoforms, reduced pathogenesis or slowed growth of the Q-less E. coli,
and in fact requires E. coli viability. Q-less E. coli have defects in
respiratory metabolism. C. elegans fed Q-replete E. coli mutants with
similarly impaired respiratory metabolism due to defects in complex V
also show a pronounced lifespan extension, although not as dramatic as
those fed the respiratory deficient Q-less E. coli diet. The data
suggest that feeding respiratory incompetent E. coli, whether Q-less
or Q-replete, produces a robust life extension in wild-type C.
elegans. We believe that the fermentation-based metabolism of the E.
coli diet is an important parameter of C. elegans longevity.

Edited by lynx, 18 May 2008 - 06:34 AM.

[Mind]

This isn't the first time I have heard of CoQ10 decreasing lifespan. There is another thread here at Imminst where someone posted a graph....ok, found it forum here and graph here.

[Aphrodite]

Sorry, I have no idea where I found this article. I copied it into a Word document a couple of years ago because I thought it was interesting and I wanted to see if there would be any follow-up studies on this. Personally, I have avoided taking Q10 since reading this article-- just in case.

[edward]

Sorry, but this research has been challenged becuase the Q-less diet was not equivalent.

read this posted at sci-life-extension

timoth...@my-deja.com View profile

From: timoth...@my-deja.com

Subject: Altered bacterial metabolism, not coenzyme Q content, is responsible
for the lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans fed an
Escherichia coli diet lacking coenzyme Q

I suspect experiments done by Sohal and others that resulted in no
lifespan extension by ubiquinone supplementation may have been the
result of poor absorption, so no significant increase in tissue
concentration was produced. In the experiments by Bliznakov ubiquinone
was given by IP administration the result was a highly significant LS
extension in already aged mice. The other study where ubiquinone was
given by oral administration it was in conjunction with high levels of
Omega 6 fatty acids which would facilitate absorption as ubiquinone is
lipid soluble. The LEF recently introduced ubiquinol which is claimed
by the manufacturer to be 8 times as absorbable and maintain serum
levels for a much longer period produced some rather exciting results
in prematurely aging mice. The results however have not been published
to my knowledge.

Aging Cell
Volume 7 Issue 3 Page 291-304, June 2008


To cite this article: Ryoichi Saiki, Adam L. Lunceford, Tarra Bixler,
Peter Dang, Wendy Lee, Satoru Furukawa, Pamela L. Larsen, Catherine F.
Clarke (2008) Altered bacterial metabolism, not coenzyme Q content, is
responsible for the lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans fed
an Escherichia coli diet lacking coenzyme Q
Aging Cell 7 (3) , 291–304 doi:10.1111/j.1474-9726.2008.00378.x


Altered bacterial metabolism, not coenzyme Q content, is responsible
for the lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans fed an
Escherichia coli diet lacking coenzyme Q



Coenzyme Qn is a fully substituted benzoquinone containing a
polyisoprene tail of distinct numbers (n) of isoprene groups.
Caenorhabditis elegans fed Escherichia coli devoid of Q8 have a
significant lifespan extension when compared to C. elegans fed a
standard ‘Q-replete’ E. coli diet. Here we examine possible mechanisms
for the lifespan extension caused by the Q-less E. coli diet. A
bioassay for Q uptake shows that a water-soluble formulation of Q10 is
effectively taken up by both clk-1 mutant and wild-type nematodes, but
does not reverse lifespan extension mediated by the Q-less E. coli
diet, indicating that lifespan extension is not due to the absence of
dietary Q per se. The enhanced longevity mediated by the Q-less E.
coli diet cannot be attributed to dietary restriction, different Qn
isoforms, reduced pathogenesis or slowed growth of the Q-less E. coli,
and in fact requires E. coli viability. Q-less E. coli have defects in
respiratory metabolism. C. elegans fed Q-replete E. coli mutants with
similarly impaired respiratory metabolism due to defects in complex V
also show a pronounced lifespan extension, although not as dramatic as
those fed the respiratory deficient Q-less E. coli diet. The data
suggest that feeding respiratory incompetent E. coli, whether Q-less
or Q-replete, produces a robust life extension in wild-type C.
elegans. We believe that the fermentation-based metabolism of the E.
coli diet is an important parameter of C. elegans longevity.

I second this post. Though I would love it to be true that Q10 was bad, definitely bad that is not questionably bad (save me some $) lol

Idebenone which is modified Q10 does not cause oxidative damage under low oxygen conditions. Not many people have really heard about it except us supplement nerds.

By the way idebenone is NOT the answer though again I wish it were its cheaper and better absorbed http://www.imminst.o...mp;#entry223467

[nameless]

There appears to be several mixed studies regarding CoQ10 and lifespan.

Ex. http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/15036411

Some worms die sooner... sometimes rats live longer... sometimes not... sometimes symptoms of old age in rodents is decreased... sometimes CoQ10 supplementation has no effect...

But there are a lot of variables, and who knows how CoQ10 relates exactly to human longevity. And the pro-oxidant angle may have nothing to do with it. It could simply be dosage. As with most supplements, too much can be harmful.

[VictorBjoerk]

Confusing......Has anyone read Jean Carpers "stop aging now"? It really promotes Q10 a lot....

[tham]

Lex's (Ronald Klatz's dog) antiaging protocol is more than solid
proof enough for me that coQ10 and the rest of the usual
reputed life extension supplements and drugs extends lifespan.

This is the article I usually pass on to encourage friends and
relatives who are new to life extension.

Note two important points :

1. Ronald Klatz could easily have taken Lex past the human
equivalent of 130 if he had wanted to (116 plus at least 2
more dog or 14 human years = 130).

2. Lex didn't even practise caloric restriction.

http://www.worldheal..._program_of_lex

Edited by tham, 20 May 2008 - 10:35 AM.

[tham]

Note that in Lex's supplement protocol above, "Acemanon"
should be spelled acemannan, the polysaccharide extract
from aloe vera gel.

http://www.wholeleaf...ingeffects.html


Probably the single most effective component in extending
his lifespan was PBN.

[TianZi]

Per the CoQ10 wiki stub with citations, there has been at least one study in rats (which of course are closer relatives of humans than worms) showing an increase in lifespan following CoQ10 supplementation.

There have been a host of studies demonstrating the beneficial effects of CoQ10. Ray Kurzweil mentions many of them in his book Fantastic Voyage, which I assume many members of this forum have read. If enough studies are performed on a given supplement, conflicting results will inevitably emerge.

[Mind]

During the Sunday Evening Update interview with Dr. Grossman, he said CoQ10 was on his top 5 list (herbal or non-prescription supps). I am unsure if most Imminst members would put it in their top 5.

[luv2increase]

I definitely wouldn't put it in my top 5 but I do take 30mg 3x daily along with 100mg idebenone 3x daily and I'm 25.



I am surprised not one pointed out that this is yet another 'WORM' study! It isn't even a vertebrate as we are. It doesn't even come close as to how complex us human's physiological make-up really is. No one logically should come to any conclusion about coq10 being bad for longevity.

99.999% of 'HUMAN' studies show that it is definitely 'GOOD'!!! This of course if the person is not under some low-oxygen level condition which would screw anyone regardless of coq10 supplementation because all of us humans actually produce coq10 naturally. It is part of us.


The reason why I supplement with coq10 is because levels start to decline after the age of 20. I want to keep all levels of everything at the levels as they were at 20 including my neurotransmitters, hormones, q10 etc....




I believe those starting life-extension at an earlier age are much more well off in succeeding in their mission. I don't know if one would actually become immortal if they were to do everything right at an early enough age with the current technology in which we have today, but they will definitely IMHO (genetically SOMEWHAT permitting) prolong their life well over 100 years old.

[Heliotrope]

I definitely wouldn't put it in my top 5 but I do take 30mg 3x daily along with 100mg idebenone 3x daily and I'm 25.

The reason why I supplement with coq10 is because levels start to decline after the age of 20. I want to keep all levels of everything at the levels as they were at 20 including my neurotransmitters, hormones, q10 etc....



I believe those starting life-extension at an earlier age are much more well off in succeeding in their mission. I don't know if one would actually become immortal if they were to do everything right at an early enough age with the current technology in which we have today, but they will definitely IMHO (genetically SOMEWHAT permitting) prolong their life well over 100 years old.

yes and in 100 years, technology will advance much more, increasingly high-tech, and so by the time you're 100, the technology a century later could make you live 200, then 300, 400 ... 500, 690 , a thousand years old, physically immortal, spiritually eternal, if not killed/destroyed by external factor. BUT..

of course, many things can throw the pace of progress off course

Edited by HYP86, 31 July 2008 - 09:11 PM.

[AgeVivo]

A few thoughts that would require much more time to be fully developped. I've spent some time in the great lab of Cathy Clarke and I remember that the Q-less E-coli (that was fed to long-lived worms) had a slower growth and respiration, but to a degree that was clearly insufficient to explain by caloric restriction the high life extension.

It seems to me that the life extension would mostly be due to a switch from aerobic to anaerobic respiration, but whether this could apply to humans is not obvious. Most animals are not able of such a switch. Worms might be particularly good at it since in the wild they live in soils. They live longer under low oxygen concentrations while it is the contrary in mice. Fungus (pseudospora anserina), which are also capable of such a switch, also live much longer when their aerobic respiration is defective.

At the end, concerning the fear of CoenzymeQ or its use in creams, I personnally think that at this stage of knowledge it is like magic incantations, but this science/business might be good afterall because it promotes anti-aging, and might lead to unexpected discoveries in anti-aging or other fields.

Edited by AgeVivo, 31 July 2008 - 09:27 PM.

[Dmitri]

I think more studies need to be conducted before we can say whether or not CoQ10 decreases or extends life.

However, I did find the following info from the mayo clinic: http://www.mayoclini...ent-coenzymeq10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is produced by the human body and is necessary for the basic functioning of cells. CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases such as heart conditions, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's disease, cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Some prescription drugs may also lower CoQ10 levels.

Levels of CoQ10 in the body can be increased by taking CoQ10 supplements, although it is not clear that replacing "low CoQ10" is beneficial.

CoQ10 has been used, recommended, or studied for numerous conditions, but remains controversial as a treatment in many areas.

If less CoQ10 is beneficial why have they reported low levels in those with chronic illnesses and why has it not benefited the people who are aging (the ones with decreasing levels)?

[nameless]

If less CoQ10 is beneficial why have they reported low levels in those with chronic illnesses and why has it not benefited the people who are aging (the ones with decreasing levels)?

I haven't seen anywhere that stated low CoQ10 is beneficial. And CoQ10 supplementation has benefited those with CoQ10 types of diseases (mitochondrial, heart, etc.)

The question whether is increases lifespan is another matter. The data there (for animals) is mixed.

[Dmitri]

If less CoQ10 is beneficial why have they reported low levels in those with chronic illnesses and why has it not benefited the people who are aging (the ones with decreasing levels)?

I haven't seen anywhere that stated low CoQ10 is beneficial. And CoQ10 supplementation has benefited those with CoQ10 types of diseases (mitochondrial, heart, etc.)

The question whether is increases lifespan is another matter. The data there (for animals) is mixed.

The original member said it would be a good idea to search for a method to reduce CoQ10 levels in the brain and the study he/she mentioned alluded to reducing levels since it increased life span in worms.

[nameless]

The original member said it would be a good idea to search for a method to reduce CoQ10 levels in the brain and the study he/she mentioned alluded to reducing levels since it increased life span in worms.

Yeah, but we really need a mammal study to back up this data. And another poster in this same thread presented some decent evidence as to why that Q-less diet study with worms was flawed.

Still... ya never know. Perhaps low CoQ10 could have some life extension benefits. The rodent CoQ10 studies tend to show rodents don't live quite as long (assuming the rodent isn't genetically messed up to begin with). But ratties all tend to die of cancer anyway, so it's hard to tell exactly.

Anyone ever find data on primate CoQ10 longevity studies?

[Dmitri]

The original member said it would be a good idea to search for a method to reduce CoQ10 levels in the brain and the study he/she mentioned alluded to reducing levels since it increased life span in worms.

Yeah, but we really need a mammal study to back up this data. And another poster in this same thread presented some decent evidence as to why that Q-less diet study with worms was flawed.

Still... ya never know. Perhaps low CoQ10 could have some life extension benefits. The rodent CoQ10 studies tend to show rodents don't live quite as long (assuming the rodent isn't genetically messed up to begin with). But ratties all tend to die of cancer anyway, so it's hard to tell exactly.

Anyone ever find data on primate CoQ10 longevity studies?

I don't have longevity studies with CoQ10 and primates but I did find a study that showed health benefits in Baboons who were given CoQ10 in combination with Vitamin E? Though it could be seen as a start; longer health span can likely increase life span?

http://www.pubmedcen...i?artid=1356523

[nameless]

I don't have longevity studies with CoQ10 and primates but I did find a study that showed health benefits in Baboons who were given CoQ10 in combination with Vitamin E? Though it could be seen as a start; longer health span can likely increase life span?

http://www.pubmedcen...i?artid=1356523

Thanks for that baboon study, it's sort of interesting. It might be worthwhile to do a human study using E + CoQ10 (at same time) for heart disease.

And you may have found your answer, as to lowering CoQ10 (not that I recommend it):

We also noted that vitamin E supplementation tended to reduce the concentrations of plasma CoQ10 and that CoQ10 supplementation tended to reduce α-tocopherol concentrations.


No idea as to what extent vitamin E lowers CoQ10, or even if it happens in people.... but if anyone out there is megadosing vitamin E, it may be worthwhile to get your CoQ10 levels checked. Could also be a concern for those who supplement CoQ10 without lots of E (like myself).

Edited by nameless, 08 June 2009 - 07:17 PM.

[Dmitri]

I don't have longevity studies with CoQ10 and primates but I did find a study that showed health benefits in Baboons who were given CoQ10 in combination with Vitamin E? Though it could be seen as a start; longer health span can likely increase life span?

http://www.pubmedcen...i?artid=1356523

Thanks for that baboon study, it's sort of interesting. It might be worthwhile to do a human study using E + CoQ10 (at same time) for heart disease.

And you may have found your answer, as to lowering CoQ10 (not that I recommend it):

We also noted that vitamin E supplementation tended to reduce the concentrations of plasma CoQ10 and that CoQ10 supplementation tended to reduce α-tocopherol concentrations.


No idea as to what extent vitamin E lowers CoQ10, or even if it happens in people.... but if anyone out there is megadosing vitamin E, it may be worthwhile to get your CoQ10 levels checked. Could also be a concern for those who supplement CoQ10 without lots of E (like myself).

Here's a human study that showed anti-aging benefits, though it was conducted on a small sample and for only 1 month, but the results are promising which I believe warrant a larger sample and time frame.

http://www.ncbi.nlm....Pubmed_RVDocSum

Supplementation with CoQ10 lowers age-related (ar) NOX levels in healthy subjects.

Morré DM, Morré DJ, Rehmus W, Kern D.
Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. morredm@purdue.edu
Our work has identified an aging-related ECTO-NOX activity (arNOX), a hydroquinone oxidase which is cell surface located and generates superoxide. This activity increases with increasing age beginning >30 y. Because of its cell surface location and ability to generate superoxide, the arNOX proteins may serve to propagate an aging cascade both to adjacent cells and to oxidize circulating lipoproteins as significant factors determining atherogenic risk. The generation of superoxide by arNOX proteins is inhibited by Coenzyme Q10 as one basis for an anti-aging benefit of CoQ10 supplementation in human subjects. In a preliminary pilot study, 25 female subjects between 45 and 55 y of age were recruited at Stanford University from the Palo Alto, CA area. Informed consent was obtained. Ten of the subjects received Coenzyme Q10 supplementation of 180 (3 x 60 mg) per day for 28 days. Serum, saliva and perspiration levels of arNOX were determined at 7, 14 and 28 days of CoQ10 supplementation and compared to the initial baseline value. Activity correlated with subject age up to a maximum between age 50 and 55 years of age for saliva and perspiration as well and then declined. With all three sources, the arNOX activity extrapolated to zero at about age 30. Response to Coenzyme Q10 also increased with age being least between ages 45 and 50 and greatest between ages 60 and 65. With all three biofluids, arNOX activity was reduced between 25 and 30% by a 3 x 60 mg daily dose Coenzyme Q10 supplementation. Inhibition was the result of Coenzyme Q10 presence.

[nameless]

Very nice. And yeah, a longer study perhaps using higher doses would be interesting.

Although I don't have links, I believe there is also data as to CoQ10 lowering blood pressure (a tiny bit) and it may reduce oxidized LDL. I'd like to find study data on the latter, as to the extent and if it works without extra E.

Edited by nameless, 08 June 2009 - 08:04 PM.

[Dmitri]

Very nice. And yeah, a longer study perhaps using higher doses would be interesting.

Although I don't have links, I believe there is also data as to CoQ10 lowering blood pressure (a tiny bit) and it may reduce oxidized LDL. I'd like to find study data on the latter, as to the extent and if it works without extra E.

It would likely be a good idea for those taking Vitamin E to also supplement with CoQ10 since an article I found written by a professor mentions that CoQ10 prevents Vitamin E pro-oxidant effects. The link and part of the article is quoted below, you can read it all if you'd like since it mentions other benefits of CoQ10.

http://lpi.oregonsta...oenzymeq10.html

Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in developed countries, and atherosclerosis is the major underlying cause of heart disease. As pointed out in the Spring/Summer 2002 issue of The Linus Pauling Institute Newsletter, prospective trials with antioxidants, principally vitamin E, have not consistently lessened clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, this does not necessarily rule out the possibility that an antioxidant activity of CoQ could ameliorate atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular disease. For example, an overall lack of benefit of supplemental vitamin E could be explained partly on the basis that the concentration of vitamin E does not become limited during disease progression. Also, some studies have found that supplementation with vitamin E alone can increase the oxidizability of LDL, a process commonly thought to contribute to atherogenesis. Ubiquinol effectively prevents this pro-oxidant activity of vitamin E, and enrichment with ubiquinol strongly inhibits LDL oxidation under all conditions tested. Compared to vitamin E, few studies have examined the anti-atherogenic potential of CoQ10, although such an effect of CoQ10 has recently been reported in rabbits. Perhaps more convincingly, supplementation with CoQ10 alone or together with vitamin E has been shown to significantly reduce atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E gene-deficient mice. Whether CoQ10 supplements affect atherosclerosis in humans still remains unknown. The human studies carried out to date are limited to the dysfunction of blood vessel cells, a process that occurs early in atherogenesis and predicts the progression of the disease. The results obtained thus far are inconclusive.

[nameless]

Thanks for the article. Sort of odd, now that I think of it, that there haven't been much in the way of CoQ10-heart disease prevention studies (besides in rabbits/mice). The studies typically are after the fact, after the heart has been damaged already.

As for E and CoQ10, vitamin E people may be protected if they take other antioxidants at the same time (I think) -- like large doses of C. Although I'm not sure I'd recommend high doses of either.

CoQ10 potentially could play a role regarding cancer prevention too. Although not so sure it helped rodents much there.

[Dmitri]

Thanks for the article. Sort of odd, now that I think of it, that there haven't been much in the way of CoQ10-heart disease prevention studies (besides in rabbits/mice). The studies typically are after the fact, after the heart has been damaged already.

As for E and CoQ10, vitamin E people may be protected if they take other antioxidants at the same time (I think) -- like large doses of C. Although I'm not sure I'd recommend high doses of either.

CoQ10 potentially could play a role regarding cancer prevention too. Although not so sure it helped rodents much there.

I see, I suppose that's why some supplements contain E, Selenium or Vitamin C. Anyway, does Vitamin E also have a pro-oxidant effect if used as a lotion? I'm currently using a cream that has 5,000 IU of Vitamin E though it also contains Vitamin A and C but I don't know the amounts used for those two.

[nameless]

I wouldn't think enough E would be absorbed into skin tissue to cause a pro-oxidant effect, but I admit I never really studied it. The A + C should protect, and they also have CoQ10 lotions too, if you want extra skin/wrinkle protection. But you might want to ask in the skin care section about that, as I'm sort of clueless regarding lotions.

[Dmitri]

I wouldn't think enough E would be absorbed into skin tissue to cause a pro-oxidant effect, but I admit I never really studied it. The A + C should protect, and they also have CoQ10 lotions too, if you want extra skin/wrinkle protection. But you might want to ask in the skin care section about that, as I'm sort of clueless regarding lotions.

Yes, I use Gold Bounds CoQ10 hand lotion which leaves them soft, though I did not like Nivea Men CoQ10 face lotion. I recently bought Jason Natural, 5,000 IU Vitamin E Revitalizing Moisturizing Creme which has done wonders for my face, I no longer have dry facial skin (taking a timed release Vitamin C capsule at night also seemed to help).