Natural Products Blog

Advanced Bio Institute introduces a new product in their line:

MEQ-10 (CoEnzyme Q10)

The only 100mg liquid CoQ10 product on the market that TASTES Great. MEQ-10 was scientifically developed by Advanced Bio Institute to perfection.

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General Information

“Coenzyme Q10 (also known as CoQ10, Q10, vitamin Q10, ubiquinone, and ubidecarenone) is a benzoquinone compound synthesized naturally by the human body. The “Q” and the “10” in the name refer to the quinone chemical group and the 10 isoprenyl chemical subunits, respectively, that are part of this compound’s structure. The term “coenzyme” denotes it as an organic (contains carbon atoms), nonprotein molecule necessary for the proper functioning of its protein partner (an enzyme or an enzyme complex).

Coenzyme Q10 is used by cells of the body in a process known variously as aerobic respiration, aerobic metabolism, oxidative metabolism, or cell respiration. Through this process, energy for cell growth and maintenance is created inside cells in compartments called mitochondria.

Reviewed in [1-4] Coenzyme Q10 is also used by the body as an endogenous antioxidant. Reviewed in [1,2,4-8] An antioxidant is a substance that protects cells from free radicals, which are highly reactive chemicals, often containing oxygen atoms, capable of damaging important cellular components such as DNA and lipids. In addition, the plasma level of coenzyme Q10 has been used, in studies, as a measure of oxidative stress (a situation in which normal antioxidant levels are reduced). [9,10]

Coenzyme Q10 is present in most tissues, but the highest concentrations are found in the heart, the liver, the kidneys, and the pancreas.[11] The lowest concentration is found in the lungs.[11] Tissue levels of this compound decrease as people age, due to increased requirements, decreased production,[11] or insufficient intake of the chemical precursors needed for synthesis. Reviewed in [12] In humans, normal blood levels of coenzyme Q10 have been defined variably, with reported normal values ranging from 0.30 to 3.84 μg/mL. [13,14] Reviewed in [2,4]

Given the importance of coenzyme Q10 to optimal cellular energy production, use of this compound as a treatment for diseases other than cancer has been explored. Most of these investigations have focused on coenzyme Q10 as a treatment for cardiovascular disease.[15] Reviewed in [2,4] In patients with cancer, coenzyme Q10 has been shown to protect the heart from anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (anthracyclines are a family of chemotherapy drugs, including doxorubicin, that have the potential to damage the heart)[3,16-18] and to stimulate the immune system.[19] Reviewed in [20] Stimulation of the immune system by this compound has also been observed in animal studies and in humans without cancer.[21-27] In part because of its immunostimulatory potential, coenzyme Q10 has been used as an adjuvant therapy in patients with various types of cancer.[17,28-30] Reviewed in [20,31-33]

While coenzyme Q10 may show indirect anticancer activity through its effect(s) on the immune system, there is evidence to suggest that analogs of this compound can suppress cancer growth directly. Analogs of coenzyme Q10 have been shown to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells in vitro and the growth of cancer cells transplanted into rats and mice.[12,34] In view of these findings, it has been proposed that analogs of coenzyme Q10 may function as antimetabolites to disrupt normal biochemical reactions that are required for cell growth and/or survival and, thus, that they may be useful for short periods of time as chemotherapeutic agents.[12,34]

Several companies distribute coenzyme Q10 as a dietary supplement. In the United States, dietary supplements are regulated as foods, not drugs. Therefore, premarket evaluation and approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are not required unless specific disease prevention or treatment claims are made.“

The National Cancer Institute says about CoQ10:

“[…] This complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) information summary provides an overview of the use of coenzyme Q10 in cancer therapy. The summary includes a history of coenzyme Q10 research, a review of laboratory studies, and data from investigations involving human subjects. Although several naturally occurring forms of coenzyme Q have been identified, Q10 is the predominant form found in humans and most mammals, and it is the form most studied for therapeutic potential. Thus, it will be the only form of coenzyme Q discussed in this summary.

This summary contains the following key information:

• Coenzyme Q10 is made naturally by the human body.
• Coenzyme Q10 helps cells to produce energy, and it acts as an antioxidant.
• Coenzyme Q10 has shown an ability to stimulate the immune system and to protect the heart from damage caused by certain chemotherapy drugs.

Low blood levels of coenzyme Q10 have been detected in patients with some types of cancer. No report of a randomized clinical trial of coenzyme Q10 as a treatment for cancer has been published in a peer-reviewed, scientific journal. Coenzyme Q10 is marketed in the United States as a dietary supplement. No serious toxicity associated with the use of coenzyme Q10 has been reported.

A large amount of laboratory and animal data on coenzyme Q10 has accumulated since 1962. Research into cellular energy-producing mechanisms that involve this compound was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1978. Some of the accumulated data show that coenzyme Q10 stimulates animal immune systems, leading to higher antibody levels, greater numbers and/or activities of macrophages and T cells (T lymphocytes), and increased resistance to infection. Coenzyme Q10 has also been reported to increase IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibody levels and to increase the CD4 to CD8 T-cell ratio in humans. CD4 and CD8 are proteins found on the surface of T cells, with CD4 and CD8 identifying “helper” T cells and “cytotoxic” T cells, respectively; decreased CD4 to CD8 T-cell ratios have been reported for cancer patients. Research subsequently delineated the antioxidant properties of coenzyme Q10.

Proposed mechanisms of action for coenzyme Q10 that are relevant to cancer include its essential function in cellular energy production and its stimulation of the immune system (which may both be related), as well as its role as an antioxidant. Coenzyme Q10 is essential to aerobic energy production, and it has been suggested that increased cellular energy leads to increased antibody synthesis in B cells (B lymphocytes). As noted previously (General Information section), coenzyme Q10 can also behave as an antioxidant. In this capacity, coenzyme Q10 is thought to stabilize cell membranes (lipid-containing structures essential to maintaining cell integrity) and to prevent free radical damage to other important cellular components. Free radical damage to DNA (and possibly to other cellular molecules) may be a factor in cancer development.”

Coenzyme Q10 improves endothelial function in heart disease patients

A report published online on July 19, 2007 in the European Heart Journal described the finding of Italian researchers that administering coenzyme Q10 (coQ10) to men and women with ischemic heart disease resulted in improvements in endothelial relaxation and greater levels of extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme that has been found to be reduced in the vasculature of individuals with coronary heart disease. Endothelium-bound extracellular SOD levels have been correlated with endothelial-mediated dilation, a biomarker of vascular function.

Luca Tiano of Polytechnic University of the Marche in Ancona, Italy and associates randomized 33 men and 5 women with coronary artery disease to receive 100 milligrams coQ10 three times per day or a placebo for one month. Participants received brachial artery endothelium-dependent vasodilation assessment, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and measurement of endothelium-bound extracellular SOD upon enrollment and at the study’s conclusion.

Supplementation with 300 milligrams coQ10 increased plasma levels four-fold in subjects that received it. In the 33 participants that completed the study, endothelium-dependent relaxation and endothelium-bound extracellular SOD were greater among those that received coQ10 than the placebo group, with increased benefits shown by those whose initial extracellular SOD levels were lowest, rendering them more prone to oxidative stress. Cardiopulmonary exercise test findings also improved in participants that received coQ10.

The researchers suggest that the improvements could be related to coQ10’s involvement in energy production, or the counteraction of nitric oxide oxidation by coQ10, which would increase the compound’s availability. (Nitric oxide is known to promote vascular dilation.) They recommend additional studies to determine how the effects observed in the current trial correlate with clinical benefits.
— D Dye

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Some authorities say that Ubiquinone, also called Coenzyme Q, is a vitamin (See ref.) Ubiquinone is manufactured by the body, so other authorities dispute this. However most humans need about 500mg/day, but manufacture less as they age. Ubiquinone’s primary action is as an antioxidant many times more powerful than Vitamin E, and one of its most important roles is to prevent oxidative damage to mitochondria, the cellular organelles that power human metabolism. Many authorities say that Ubiquinone supplementation has value to treat or prevent some symptoms and diseases of aging. As one of the antioxidants preventing cancer, Co-Enzyme Q10 benefits are also associated with antiaging.

Treatment of essential hypertension with coenzyme Q10

Mol Aspects Med (ENGLAND) 1994, 15 Suppl pS265-72

A total of 109 patients with symptomatic essential hypertension presenting to a private cardiology practice were observed after the addition of CoQ10 (average dose, 225 mg/day by mouth) to their existing antihypertensive drug regimen. In 80 per cent of patients, the diagnosis of essential hypertension was established for a year or more prior to starting CoQ10 (average 9.2 years). Only one patient was dropped from analysis due to noncompliance. The dosage of CoQ10 was not fixed and was adjusted according to clinical response and blood CoQ10 levels. Our aim was to attain blood levels greater than 2.0 micrograms/ml (average 3.02 micrograms/ml on CoQ10). Patients were followed closely with frequent clinic visits to record blood pressure and clinical status and make necessary adjustments in drug therapy. Echocardiograms were obtained at baseline in 88% of patients and both at baseline and during treatment in 39% of patients. A definite and gradual improvement in functional status was observed with the concomitant need to gradually decrease antihypertensive drug therapy within the first one to six months. Thereafter, clinical status and cardiovascular drug requirements stabilized with a significantly improved systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Overall New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class improved from a mean of 2.40 to 1.36 (P < 0.001) and 51% of patients came completely off of between one and three antihypertensive drugs at an average of 4.4 months after starting CoQ10. Only 3% of patients required the addition of one antihypertensive drug. In the 9.4% of patients with echocardiograms both before and during treatment, we observed a highly significant improvement in left ventricular wall thickness and diastolic function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Studies: Hypertension Treatment of essential hypertension with coenzyme Q10

Langsjoen P; Langsjoen P; Willis R; Folkers K
Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Texas, Austin 78712, USA.
Mol Aspects Med (ENGLAND) 1994, 15 Suppl pS265-72

A total of 109 patients with symptomatic essential hypertension presenting to a private cardiology practice were observed after the addition of CoQ10 (average dose, 225 mg/day by mouth) to their existing antihypertensive drug regimen. In 80 per cent of patients, the diagnosis of essential hypertension was established for a year or more prior to starting CoQ10 (average 9.2 years). Only one patient was dropped from analysis due to noncompliance. The dosage of CoQ10 was not fixed and was adjusted according to clinical response and blood CoQ10 levels. Our aim was to attain blood levels greater than 2.0 micrograms/ml (average 3.02 micrograms/ml on CoQ10). Patients were followed closely with frequent clinic visits to record blood pressure and clinical status and make necessary adjustments in drug therapy. Echocardiograms were obtained at baseline in 88% of patients and both at baseline and during treatment in 39% of patients. A definite and gradual improvement in functional status was observed with the concomitant need to gradually decrease antihypertensive drug therapy within the first one to six months. Thereafter, clinical status and cardiovascular drug requirements stabilized with a significantly improved systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Overall New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class improved from a mean of 2.40 to 1.36 (P < 0.001) and 51% of patients came completely off of between one and three antihypertensive drugs at an average of 4.4 months after starting CoQ10. Only 3% of patients required the addition of one antihypertensive drug. In the 9.4% of patients with echocardiograms both before and during eatment, we observed a highly significant improvement in left ventricular wall thickness and diastolic function.

Coenzyme Q10 in essential hypertension

Digiesi V; Cantini F; Oradei A; Bisi G; Guarino GC; Brocchi A; Bellandi F; Mancini M; Littarru GP
Third institute of Clinical Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Florence Medical School, Italy
Mol Aspects Med (ENGLAND) 1994, 15 Suppl ps257-63,

This study was undertaken to clarify the mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Twenty-six patients with essential arterial hypertension were treated with oral CoQ10, 50 mg twice daily for 10 weeks. Plasma CoQ10, serum total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and blood pressure were determined in all patients before and at the end of the 10-week period. At the end of the treatment, systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased from 164.5 +/-3.1 to 146.7 +/-4.1 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased from 98.1 +/-1.7 to 86.1 +/-1.3 mmHg (P < 0.001). Plasma CoQ10 values increased from 0.64 +/-0.1 microgram/ml to 1.61 +/-0.3 micrograms/ml (P < 0.02). Serum total cholesterol decreased from 222.9 +/-13 mg/dl to 213.3 +/-12 mg/dl (P < 0.005) and serum HDL cholesterol increased from 41.1 +/- 1.5 mg/dl to 43.1 +/-1.5 mg/dl (P < 0.01). In a first group of 10 patients serum sodium and potassium, plasma clinostatic and orthostatic renin activity, urinary aldosterone, 24-hour sodium and potassium were determined before and at the end of the 10-week period. In five of these patients peripheral resistances were evaluated with radionuclide angiocardiography. Total peripheral resistances were 2,283 +/- 88 dyne.s.cm-5 before treatment and 1,627 +/-158 dyn.s.cm-5 after treatment (P < 0.02). Plasma renin activity, serum and urinary sodium and potassium, and urinary aldosterone did not change. In a second group of 11 patients, plasma endothelin, electrocardiogram, two-dimensional echocardiogram and 24-hour automatic blood pressure monitoring were determined.

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Are heart disease and high LDL cholesterol levels a major problem in the US?

Yes, nearly 100 million Americans have high cholesterol and heart disease is responsible for half of all deaths in the United States.
Blood cholesterol is composed of 2 kinds of cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). LDL is the “bad” cholesterol because when too much of it circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries. HDL is the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove “bad” cholesterol from arteries and prevent blockage.

Is the only cause of High Cholesterol eating the wrong foods?

No. While cholesterol levels are generally “programmed”, to some extent, there are a variety of lifestyle factors that can be modified to affect cholesterol levels, including diet, body weight and physical activity.

The best way to manage cholesterol is to consume a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol?

Yes, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / American College of Sports Medicine also recommends engaging in moderate intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on at least five days per week.

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