Coenzyme Q₁₀ in health and disease

Abstract

The literature concerning the importance of coenzyme Q₁₀ in health and disease has been reviewed. Usual dietary intake together with normal in vivo synthesis seems to fulfil the demands for Q₁₀ in healthy individuals. The importance of Q₁₀ supplementation for general health has not been investigated in controlled experiments. The literature allows no firm conclusions about the significance of Q₁₀ in physical activity. In different cardiovascular diseases, including cardiomyopathy, relatively low levels of Q₁₀ in myocardial tissue have been reported. Positive clinical and haemodynamic effects of oral Q₁₀ supplementation have been observed in double-blind trials, especially in chronic heart failure. These effects should be further examined. No important adverse effects have been reported from experiments using daily supplements of up to 200 mg Q₁₀ for 6–12 months and 100 mg daily for up to 6 y.