What Is the Scientific Evidence for Coenzyme Q 10 ?
Most but not all studies tell us that CoQ 10 can be helpful for people with congestive heart failure (CHF). In this serious condition, the heart muscles become weakened, resulting in poor circulation and shortness of breath. People with CHF have significantly lower levels of CoQ 10 in heart muscle cells than do healthy people.32 This fact alone does not prove that the supplements will help CHF; however, it prompted medical researchers to try using CoQ 10 as a treatment for heart failure. The largest study was a 1-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 641 people with moderate to severe congestive heart failure.33 Half were given 2 mg per kilogram body weight of CoQ 10 daily; the rest were given placebo. Standard therapy was continued in both groups. The participants treated with CoQ 10 experienced a significant reduction in the severity of their symptoms. No such improvement was seen in the placebo group. The people who took CoQ 10 also had significantly fewer hospitalizations
