CoQ-10 是什麼?

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is a major part of the body's mechanism for producing energy.It plays a fundamental role in the mitochondria, the parts of the cell that produce energy from glucose and fatty acids.

Some evidence suggests that CoQ10 might assist the heart during times of stress on the heart muscle, perhaps by helping it use energy more efficiently.

CoQ10's best-established use is for congestive heart failure, but the evidence that it works is not entirely consistent. Ongoing research suggests that it may also be useful for other types of heart problems, Parkinson's disease, and several additional illnesses.

Although not all studies have been positive, the best-documented use of CoQ10 is for treating congestive heart failure. Keep in mind that CoQ10 is taken along with conventional medications, not as a replacement for them.

Weaker evidence suggests that this supplement may be useful for heart attack recovery,cardiomyopathy,hypertension, diabetes, strengthening the heart prior to heart surgery,migraine headaches, and Parkinson's disease.

CoQ10 has shown the potential to prevent heart damage and other side effects caused by certain types of cancer chemotherapy. This evidence is weak, however, and as yet it cannot be stated with any certainty that CoQ10 is actually helpful.

Note: People with severe illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, or kidney failure, should not use CoQ10, or any supplement, except under physician supervision.

Certain medications may interfere with the body's production of CoQ10, or partially block its function. The best evidence regards cholesterol-lowering drugs in the statin family, such as lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), and pravastatin (Pravachol); these medications impair CoQ10 synthesis as an inevitable side effect of their mechanism of action. Since these drugs are used to protect the heart, and since CoQ10 deficiency could in theory impair heart function, it has been suggested that this side effect may work against the intended purpose of taking statins. (Note also that the supplement red yeast rice contains statin drugs, and people who use this supplement might benefit from CoQ10 on the same principles.) However, there is only weak and inconsistent evidence to indicate CoQ10 supplements offer any specific benefit to people taking statins. For several other categories of drugs, the evidence that they interfere with CoQ10 is provocative but less than solid. These include oral diabetes drugs (especially glyburide, phenformin, and tolazamide), beta-blockers (specifically propranolol, metoprolol, and alprenolol), antipsychotic drugs in the phenothiazine family, tricyclic antidepressants, methyldopa, hydrochlorothiazide, clonidine, and hydralazine.

(to be continued)

2006-12-10 21:17:23 補充：
Safety IssuesIn general, CoQ10 appears to be extremely safe. No significant side effects have been found, even in studies that lasted a year. However, people with severe heart disease should not take CoQ10 (or any other supplement) except under a doctor's supervision.

2006-12-10 21:18:42 補充：
As noted above, two studies suggest that CoQ10 might reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. While this could potentially be helpful for treatment of diabetes, it might present a risk as well; diabetics using CoQ10 might inadvertently push their blood sugar levels dangerously low.

2006-12-10 21:19:04 補充：
However, another trial in people with diabetes found no effect on blood sugar control. The bottom line: If you have diabetes, make sure to track your blood sugar closely if you start taking CoQ10 (or, indeed, any herb or supplement).