Every time I read an article about CoQ10 I feel like I should run out and start taking it, plus buy a bottle for everyone I know! The latest article that I read on the topic got me thinking about how often mainstream doctors tell heart patients and others about all the great benefits? So I did a miniature survey of the heart patients I had immediate access to. Results: my mom’s doctor has her on the supplement and my dad’s does not!
Why would they not want to recommend this miracle supplement that all the health media is talking about?
So I decided to pose that question to some professionals and here is some of the feedback I got:
CoQ10 is actually pretty well tolerated. However, there can be some negatives about it:
- Insomnia, even at lower doses
- As doses raise some peoples liver enzymes may rise. This isn’t cut in stone but I would caution people with liver disorders (hepatitis) to tread lightly
- Rashes and nausea are reported
- Can cause anticoagualtion (popularly called blood-thinning)
- Studies have not shown CoQ10 to always be beneficial in patients with heart failure.
The big one seemed to be that CoQ10 can interact with prescription drugs (my guess is this is why most cardiologist don’t always recommend it). My eyes kind of glazed over when reading all of these, so thought I would list what ones were given to me versus trying to sort them out! Then you can determine if you need to talk to your doctor about it.
- High cholesterol drugs will lower the effects of CoQ10.
- Diabetes medications that lower blood sugar will also lower the effects.
- CoQ10 can make warfarin (a blood thinner) less effective.
- May cause delay in theophylline (respiratory drug) working and effectiveness.
- Using CoQ10 with Blood pressure medications could result in overdose of medications. Possible drug interactions: Cholesterol drugs (specifically, gemfibrozil) Beta-blockers (high blood pressure meds … atenolol, labetolol, metoprolol, and propranolol)
- Tricyclic antidepressant medications ( amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, and trimipramine)
So it appears that as many great benefits as CoQ10 has it is not a miracle supplement but it is like all other supplements and medications. It depends on the circumstances of the person taking it. So check with your doctor to see if it is right for you.
If you have direct experience with CoQ10 please share your experience or if you are in the medical profession I would love to hear your take too. Please comment below!
Sources:
Curtis Alexander, Pharm.D.
Jonathan Steele, Helping 69 diseases. You can’t take it. You can only make it
I’ve been taking CoQ10 for some time now and began using it when it was prescribed for me by a doctor. The effects of it were quick – within a few days – and wonderful. It has to do with replacing the CoQ10 we have naturally in our cells which we lose as we get older. Every drug or supplement has it’s “issues”. Speaking with your health professional before taking anything is just the smart thing to do. As for CoQ10, my experience is quite positive and those whom I know who take it are also convinced of its benefits – both those who are healthy as well as others with serious health problems.
Thanks for the input, I do agree that every drug/supplement has some issues. We all react differently, thus a great reason to be open with our doctors!