Press Release

HEALTH NEWS

Possible treatment for Parkinson's disease

October 24, 2002

CoQ10 Makes the News
Two years ago, I wrote a series of articles for my Wellness Newsletter focusing on the benefits of nutritional supplements, and one of these was Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10. This month (October), CoQ10 hit the news wires in a report out of the University of California/San Diego Medical School announcing that the CoQ10 dietary supplement has proven to be effective in slowing the progress of Parkinson's disease. This is exciting news for a couple of reasons. Until now there has been no medical treatment for Parkinson's disease, other than drugs, such as levodopa, to relieve symptoms, which can include tremors, stiffness, impaired balance, and general loss of energy. The UCSD study is "the first placebo-controlled multicenter clinical trial" of CoQ10 that suggests it can actually slow the progression of the disease.

Nutrition-minded practitioners, myself in particular, have for many years been impressed by CoQ10 as a dietary supplement, because of its many benefits for patients. I have gathered evidence of these benefits from various research studies.

	Nineteen patients with advanced cardiomyopathy were given 100 mg of CoQ10 daily for 12 weeks and found to have increased volume of blood pumped, improved heart strength, and diminished shortness of breath, all with no side effects. The benefits continued for the three years the patients were followed, according to a report in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	In another research project, two groups of obese patients were put on the same weight loss diets. One group was given 100mg of CoQ10 daily. After nine weeks, persons in the group on CoQ10 lost 30 pounds on average, compared with 13 pounds for the control group.
	CoQ10 has been shown to improve diabetes. In one investigation, it reduced blood sugar in patients by 20 to 30 percent. Researchers speculate that it may work for these patients because it improves carbohydrate metabolism.
	A study in the American Journal of Cardiology concluded that 15mg of CoQ10 daily strengthens the heart, allowing it to reach higher levels of energy before pain or oxygen deprivation occurred.
	A study in Clinical Investigations reports that patients with high LDL and high total cholesterol levels were much more likely to have low levels of CoQl0 than people with acceptable l cholesterol levels.

We've known a lot about CoQ10 for a long time. It is not a vitamin but is a naturally occurring and essential substance found in every cell in the body. It was isolated in its pure form in 1957 and today is available in various formulations as a nutritional supplement. CoQ10 creates the energy that our cells need to survive and also acts as an antioxidant, fighting destructive free radicals. By maintaining healthy levels of CoQ10, the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as a number of other degenerative conditions, may be significantly decreased or avoided. In addition to its energy producing and antioxidant properties, CoQ10 reduces blood viscosity, which allows blood to flow more easily through the arteries and veins. The heart doesn"t have to work as hard and clots, which can cause heart attacks or strokes, are less likely to form. CoQ10 has been found effective in treating congestive heart failure, hypertension, and mitral valve prolapse. It also reduces the pain of angina and regularizes irregular heartbeats. Because it is essential to the production of energy, it may be beneficial to people who are obese because of a metabolic dysfunction.

Many patients with heart disease have been found to have a deficiency of CoQ10. Deficiencies of CoQ10 can be caused by aging, stress, or poor nutrition. In addition to its value in fighting heart disease, it is important for energy, for preventing periodontal disease and strengthening the immune system. Some studies indicate it is effective in delaying the aging process. Foods rich in CoQ10 include muscle and organ meats, codfish, wheat germ, peanuts, spinach, egg yolk, and whole grains. There is not a minimum daily requirement established for C0Q10. For healthy people, 30 to 60mg should be sufficient. In trials involving patients with heart disease, doses range from 150mg to 240mg daily and some even go up to 600mg a day. But at higher levels, the dosage should be monitored by a physician.

The CoQ10-Parkingson's trials involved 80 patients divided into 4 groups, who were given 300mg, 600mg, 1200mg and a placebo respectively over a period of 16 months. All patients were early stage Parkinson's patients not yet taking drugs for the disease's symptoms. The group with the highest dosage showed the most improvement. However, the trial investigators do not recommend that Parkinson's patients immediately begin a regimen of CoQ10. They are waiting for the results of further trials, which are already underway. It is hard to imagine, however, that victims of the disease will not be asking their physicians to supply them with CoQ10, and that they will not seek to obtain it themselves, since it may be purchased in any health food store without a prescription. I continue to recommend it to my patients for the many benefits I have mentioned here.