I originally included information on CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) because of the studies that showed it could help treat and prevent migraines and since so many menopausal women suffer with them, it was a natural connection. There has been much more coming out about the additional benefits of this supplement, that I am trying to expand this page to bring you as much information as possible about what is being called: The Miracle Nutrient CoQ10
CoQ10 is a naturally occurring compound found in the body, and a powerful antioxidant. It is a coenzyme, similar to a vitamin, and as such assists in various internal processes.

Specifically, CoQ10 plays an essential role in the production of cellular energy. Without this energy, your cells cannot function.

CoQ10 is found in high concentrations in tissues and organs that require a lot of energy. The heart requires huge amounts of energy to function which is why CoEnzyme Q10 is such an important compound for proper heart function. The benefits of CoQ10 are crucial to maintaining cardiovascular health.

Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like compound that is essential for the production of energy in body cells. It is taken to improve stamina, strengthen muscles and also acts as an antioxidant. Some CoQ10 is made in the liver and it is found in most food sources including meat, fish, wholegrains, nuts and green vegetables. Cell levels of CoQ10 naturally start to decline from the age of 20, however, so that cells do not receive all the energy they need. This has been linked with fatigue, premature ageing and reduced immunity. Researchers have found that taking CoQ10 supplements can normalise high blood pressure, improve heart function, immunity and gum health while reducing the risk of heart disease and possibly even cancer. When starting to take CoQ10 it usually takes three weeks and occasionally up to three months before energy levels are noticeably increased.

CoQ10 Key Message: Very limited human data so far shows definite conclusion on Coenzyme Q0 supplementation in cancer patients. On a positive note, no serious side effects have been reported from the use of Coenzyme Q10. If you use CoQ10 supplements, make sure to discuss it with your doctor as it may decrease the effectiveness of your current anticoagulant medications such as warfarin. It may also reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Some other drugs such as cholesterol medications, blood pressure medications and blood sugar medications may also decrease the effects of CoQ10.
Coenzyme Q10 May Prevent Migraines

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a supplement usually recommended to protect heart health, may also help treat and prevent migraine headaches. Results of a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in April 2004 reported that about half the patients taking CoQ10 said it relieved their headaches. In addition, the supplements reduced the frequency of their migraines from 4.4 per month before treatment to 3.2 after treatment. An earlier study, published in the March 2002 issue of Cephalalgia, found that CoQ10 cut the occurrence of migraines by about 55 percent over three months. Researchers became interested in studying CoQ10 for migraine prevention because it can spark energy production in cell mitochondria, and some migraines may be due to a deficiency in cells' ability to generate energy. In the 2002 study, patients were treated with 150 mg of CoQ10 once a day; in the study presented in April of this year, some of the patients participating received a placebo while another group got 100 mg of a liquid, water-soluble form of CoQ10 three times a day.

Source: Cephalalgia, March 2002

CoQ10 is understood to play a role in helping cells to convert oxygen into energy. Demand for products containing it has been hot in the United States, thought to have been triggered in part by scientific research indicating that it could aid cardiovascular health and help slow the progression of Parkinson's disease.


Useful For:

-Improving heart function in any type of cardiovascular disease from high blood pressure to congestive heart failure, angina, arrhythmias, decreasing risk for heart disease.
-Immune enhancing effects by increasing granulocyte proliferation & overall macrophage activity
-Increasing energy levels.
-Improving exercise tolerance in those with impaired exercise ability.
-Improving aerobic performance & endurance in athletes.
-Periodontal disease & to decrease risk for same.
-Hearing & equilibrium impairments (buzzing in the ears, dizziness, Meniere's Disease, Bell's Palsy).
-Protecting against adverse effects of drugs.
-Reducing free radical damage as an extremely potent cell membrane antioxidant.
-Improving function in some cases of muscular dystrophy.
-Helping symptoms for some with multiple sclerosis.
-Protecting liver cells against toxicity induced cell damage when combined with vitamin E.
-Decreasing congestion of the liver.
-Many ailments associated with poor oxygenation of the tissues.
-Chronic fatigue syndrome & other fatigue syndromes.
-HIV patients compared to controls, have lower blood levels of CoQ10.
-Helping to regulate blood sugar in diabetics.
-Increasing lifespan.
-Protecting against life threatening injury from the sudden restoration of blood flow to tissue that has been operated on (as in open heart surgery).
-Protecting LDL cholesterol from oxidation & subsequent plaque formation.
-Enhancing the effect of medicine for high blood pressure allowing lower doses of the drugs.
-Protecting against some cholesterol lowering drugs which inhibit an enzyme needed for CoQ10 synthesis & cause lower CoQ10 levels in the body.
-High dose COQ10 may be useful as an adjunct treatment in certain cancers such as breast cancer.
-Recent research has shown that a total of 1200 mg daily in divided doses significantly slowed the progression of Parkinson's Disease.



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