Does anyone use Co-Q10 / CoEnzyme Q10? Just curious.

[tjdee]

I know there are health forums, I'm not seeking medical advice, etc.

I keep hearing about this stuff--an acquaintance of my mom's started taking it because she heard it was good for cancer prevention or something, the vitamin guy on HSN is always selling it and everyone's raving about it... and today when I was googling for some gum disease treatments, lo and behold there's CoQ10 again.

Just curious if anyone's heard of it, used it, etc.

[LaurenG]

1. I have taken it it's supposed to be good for your heart as well

:)

[RebelOne]

2. I have taken it. But it's just so damn expensive.

[bluethruandthru]

3. I've taken it in the past

When I heard about a study out of NIH linking it to good results with breast cancer patients.

[tjdee]

19. Why did you stop?

Too expensive, or not doing anything?

[bluethruandthru]

26. probably a little of both

It is expensive. I used to look for sales. I'm sure if I see it on sale again I'll probably buy it. I don't have cancer, but, like most people I'm always open to anything that may be a preventative.

[kwassa]

4. My wife makes me take it

along with a bunch of other vitamins and anti-oxidants

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. Yup

My doctor advised me to take it about a year ago because it counters some side effect of Lipitor on the heart.

I take 100 mg/day. It is kind of expensive, but pretty often you can find a deal, particularly on brands such as Q-Sorb.

She also has me on Niacin because it promotes the production of "good" cholesterol.

[tjdee]

12. Yeah today I got some 30 mgs for a pretty good price.

It was probably because they were 30mgs, and now I have to take one two or three times a day, LOL.

Have you felt any difference (I mean, I know you have to take them because of Lipitor)? In your energy or anything?

[Maine-ah]

6. we give it to our dog.

12 yo lab w/heart troubles. twice a day.

[texanwitch]

7. I use herbal toothpaste with CoQ10.

I buy it from an healthfood store, works well with gum disease.

[tjdee]

8. Yeah, I've been reading some impressive stuff.

It seems that a lot of the "tooth" pain I was having is due to gum disease. And based on what I've read, I ran out today and got some softgels. I couldn't find any toothpaste, but it was only Rite Aid, LOL. I'll probably get some online too.

Thanks for the reply!

[trof]

9. Yeah, for hypertension.

Can't tell that it's helping any.

[tjdee]

13. How long have you taken it for?

Because I never know when you're supposed to feel a difference from any vitamins or anything, LOL. That's why I don't take any. I'll see how the CoQ10 works, I guess in this case my dentist will be able to tell how my gums are doing.

[trof]

14. Maybe a month? I also take Joint Soother...

Glucosomine-Sulphate with chondroitin and MSM (whatever that is) for my arthritis.
I was advised that it wouldn't kick in for about two weeks, which was true.
It has worked wonders for my knees. I walk 3 miles every day now.
:-)

[Horse with no Name]

16. Shocked ya didn't it?

I take that as well and it does as good or better than the Bextra I was taking.

[trof]

22. 'Mazin' stuff. My knees sounded like bags of gravel

when I flexed them.
Now they're like the suspension on a Rolls.

[redqueen]

10. Yes I have.

Don't know how much good it does, but from the buzz, it seems worthwhile.

[tjdee]

18. Did you stop taking it, or...?

That's sort of a general question for those of you guys who say you "have" taken it, instead of 'I'm taking it'.

Did you see no difference, too expensive...?

[redqueen]

20. Well honestly it's hard to say.

I wasn't taking it for any specific reason, only because it was lumped in with a vitamin supplement I was taking.

I only take it on and off though, as they're kind of expensive. But yes, I do feel better and seem to have more energy when I'm taking them. That could be from other vitamins in it, though, so ... hard to say.

[satireV]

11. If it is a REAL enzyme or CO-enzyme.....

. . . It is probably useless.

Basic biochemistry shows that enzymes are merely proteins that catalyze reactions. These (enzymes) proteins are not used up in the reaction, and thus any higher concentration will not help.

It's probably snake oil.

[tjdee]

17. See, now why couldn't you have been around BEFORE I bought them, LOL!

What your post said is what I've been kind of waiting to hear. All the info I'm reading (maybe I'm selectively clicking the search results?) is good.

I don't know basic biochemistry, although I remember taking a class in that in college. :dunce:

What I've read says that the coenzyme Q10 in mitochondria (I think?) is essential for making ATP. At any rate, it would appear that those with gum disease (which I have), those taking beta-blockers and statins,etc. suffer from low levels of this coenzyme. Does that sound possible?

[satireV]

21. Indeed it would matter

If you have a low concentration of the enzyme, then indeed, taking supplemental enzyme would bring you back to a normal level and help in the various catalytic reactions.

It is similar to Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors.

If you don't have a low level of SRIs and take the prozac or whatever, you will not see any behaviour changes IOW, you won't get high! :)

SRIs are true wonder drugs.

[Horse with no Name]

15. I take it when my immune system gets low

and would take it every day if it weren't so darned expensive.:)

[brook]

24. Is there a Costco near you?

They carry it at a decent price. IIRC. I got 75 gels 150 mg for about 20 bucks - lasted 2 and 1/2 mos. for me. Trader Joe used to carry them but no more. The dreaded WalMart has them too.

Main thing I notice is better energy.

[trof]

23. My dirty little secret:

I write all supplements off (when the total is high enough) on my income tax.
They're just as necessary to me as the prescription drugs I take.
If the IRS wants to audit me, I'll apologize.
;-)

[tjdee]

25. Okay, now I'm mildly, kind of freaked out:

"One of Folkers patients, a 52-year-old woman, began taking CoQ10 after she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Thirty months later, her cancer appeared to be in remission. But six days after she stopped taking the nutrient, she developed pulmonary edema and died."

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag97/oct-research97.html

So those who take it regularly...should NEVER stop taking it??

I guess it makes sense that if you're taking it, and the result is better mitochondrial function... don't stop taking it because your mitonchondria freak out if there's a drop of coQ10 all of a sudden?

:scared:

Of course, that's just one woman, and there are lots of other people who take it/took it.... but that's not cool.