Coenzyme Q10 can be found in virtually every cell in your body, particularly mitochondria, where it helps produce energy and power biochemical reactions. As an important antioxidant, low levels of CoQ10 have been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure and neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease. As a dietary supplement it comes in soft gels, capsules or liquid forms; some foods rich in CoQ10 include salmon, mackerel and sardines as well as organ meats like liver heart and brain – certain health conditions like diabetes may even decrease levels even further. Cancer drugs like doxorubicin or daunorubicin can lower CoQ10 further still.

Clinical studies demonstrate the value of CoQ10 in treating heart failure and high blood pressure, oxidative stress in those living with diabetes and improving the antioxidant enzyme activity in those suffering coronary heart disease, muscle problems associated with statin drugs used to treat high cholesterol, as well as weak muscles caused by statins drugs used to treat high cholesterol.

Laboratory and animal studies suggest that CoQ10 could prevent cancerous tumors in lab animals; further research needs to be conducted with humans.

At one point during a small double blind pilot study, post-polio syndrome patients who received 200 mg/day of CoQ10 showed statistically significant improvements in muscular strength and quality of life. CoQ10 is believed to improve endothelial function and decrease plasma LDL oxidation for those living with diabetes (Watts et al, 2002) while also protecting from ischemic heart disease by increasing expressions of eNOS and uncoupling protein 3 mRNA (Belardinelli et al, 2006).