What is Coenzyme Q-10?

A Q&A with Dr. Eugene Wagner, Ph.D.

Dr. Eugene Wagner, Professor Emeritus and Assistant Director of a leading Midwest medical school, has been teaching biochemistry to medical students for the past 32 years. His research interests have focused on good nutrition as a necessary component in the prevention of disease in humans and animals. Dr. Wagner has used the following question and answer format to inform health care providers, physicians, veterinarians, small animal owners and breeders about the many scientific studies that have shown the beneficial role Coenzyme Q-10 plays in human and animal nutrition.

Q. Exactly what is Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10)?

"CoQ-10 is a necessary part of every cell in the body that uses oxygen. It is involved in each cell's respiratory chain that supplies energy to carry out bodily functions."

Q. How do the cells of the body get CoQ-10?

"Nature's food chain is the source of CoQ-10. Human dietary sources include meat, cereals, vegetables, eggs, and dairy products. Alfalfa is a good source of CoQ-10 in equine nutrition. The amount of usable CoQ-10 in individual human food products may be significantly reduced by length of storage, processing, and method of cooking. This is why supplementing a diet with CoQ-10 is an important way to avoid a deficiency of this important nutrient."

Q. Is CoQ-10 safe?

"CoQ-10 is quite safe. A report(1) on the toxicology of CoQ-10 found that it has not produced any toxic side effects in either animals or humans. It is listed in the 42nd edition of the Physician's Desk Reference as a replacement therapy for a nutrient, and no adverse reactions are listed."

Q. How can CoQ-10 help prevent disease?

"Research studies(2,3) in mice have shown that CoQ-10 appears to enhance the immune system by bolstering the effect of immune cells already present. The immune systems of mice were bolstered significantly in CoQ-10 treated mice and similar results were found with mice infected with leukemia, malaria, cancerous tumors and E. Coli bacteria. The results included longer survival rates, a restored ability to produce antibodies and improved response to chemotherapeutic and malarial drugs."

Q. Is there any relationship between CoQ-10 and cardiovascular disease?

"A study(4) conducted in 1985 gave definitive proof that approximately 75% of cardiac patients have significantly lower than normal levels of CoQ-10 in their heart muscle. Many patients suffering from congestive heart disease were nearly bedridden or confined to wheelchairs, but following CoQ-10 supplementation programs were able to resume many of their prior activities including walking, shopping, and driving."

Q. Are there any other diseases for which CoQ-10 supplementation can prove beneficial?

"Yes. CoQ-10 appears to retard periodontal (gum) disease. A landmark in-depth study(5) in 1975 by a US Air Force dentist using CoQ-10 supplementation showed reversals in diseased gum tissue that astonished researchers. In addition, a study(6) with dogs in 1983 supported this prior investigation. I believe most periodontal disease problems can be a problem of the past with CoQ-10 supplementation."

Q. Are there any other known beneficial effects of CoQ-10 supplementation?

"Yes. A recent study(7) at my university concluded that oral dosing with CoQ-10 increases both the circulating blood levels of CoQ-10 and the subjective perceived level of vigor in middle-aged men."

Q. How did you become interested in investigating the use of CoQ-10 in dogs and cats?

"Two years ago I became a consultant for an equine products company and have since been evaluating the effectiveness of Coenzyme Q-10 in animals in conjunction with veterinarians and animal breeders/trainers. My studies have shown that the general effects of Coenzyme Q-10 in animals parallel what has been seen in humans for the past decade. The effect of Coenzyme Q-10 on cardiovascular functioning, periodontal (gum) disease, and the general energy level in cats and dogs submitted by several veterinarians participating in the survey verified this conclusion.

Q. How might one obtain more information about Coenzyme Q-10?

"I am presently a consultant for First Choice Naturals Inc., a company devoted to an all natural approach to animal and human diet supplementation. Please feel free to call or contact me at the address below."

Eugene Wagner, Ph.D.
First Choice Naturals, Inc.
1-800-937-1104

* The article "What is Coenzyme-Q-10" is republished with the permission of Blackwatch Nutritional Counseling and Linda Arndt of the educational website GreatDaneLady.com.

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