Supplementation with Coenzyme Q-10 is used to boost energy, augment immune function and give the body antioxidant protection. This element has been heavily researched as of late. In fact, this research suggests that Coenzyme Q-10 supplements may address a wide variety of issues, including heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart damage caused by chemotherapy, heart surgery, breast cancer and periodontal (gum) disease.

There are two areas in which the use of CoQ10 has been heavily promoted - heart disease and high cholesterol. These are two issues many of us are concerned about, but high cholesterol has consistently received a lot of attention by individuals and health care providers, due to its ability to instigate heart disease.

High cholesterol is clearly a serious condition, and it has been shown that individuals who have high cholesterol levels tend to have low levels of CoQ10, when compared with other healthy people in their own age group. This has inspired both developers and individuals to use CoQ10 to try to balance cholesterol levels, although it has not been proven to do this on its own. What is also important to note is that some cholesterol-lowering drugs, known as Statins, may deplete the body’s natural levels of CoQ10. Individuals who are taking these drugs will often supplement with CoQ10, because it may increase their levels, and do so without affecting the medication's abilities.

Researchers have also started to study the effect CoQ10 has on heart disease in terms of the prevention and a remedy. This is because of its innate ability to improve energy production in cells, inhibit blood clot formation, and act as an antioxidant. In one study, it was found that daily supplementation with CoQ10 “within 3 days of a heart attack” significantly lowered an individual’s potentiality of having subsequent heart attacks and chest pain, as well as being less likely to die of heart disease.

The use of Coenzyme Q-10 supplements may be safe, but there have been a few reports of serious side effects, such nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, heartburn, diarrhea, loss of appetite, skin itching, rash, insomnia, headache, dizziness, irritability, increased light sensitivity of the eyes, fatigue or flu-like symptoms. It may also lower a person’s blood sugar levels, so it is often suggested that those individuals who have diabetes or hypoglycemia exercise caution and consult a health care provider before using it.

• May boost energy, augment immune function and give the body antioxidant protection
• Fairly inexpensive

• Not a direct way to lower cholesterol
• Cannot mimic cholesterol in the body as Plant Sterols do

In the end, it is clear to us that Coenzyme Q-10 is an element that is very much needed by the body for its day to day operations, and that supplementation with it may increase overall health and vitality. However, as of this review, it has not been shown to have a direct ability to lower cholesterol levels, but it may have an indirect relationship. Clearly, we feel more research needs to be done.

Those who are looking for an element with a proven track record of success in augmenting levels of “good” cholesterol, and lowering levels of “bad” cholesterol may choose to investigate products that contain high concentrations of Plant Sterols. This element has been shown to vie with “bad” dietary cholesterol for absorption by the intestines, which results in lower blood cholesterol levels, because cholesterol is flushed out of the body undigested.