Antifatigue effects of coenzyme Q10 during physical fatigue.

[Celebration]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18272335?ordinalpos=4&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of coenzyme Q10 administration on physical fatigue. METHODS: In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, three crossover design, 17 healthy volunteers were randomized to oral coenzyme Q10 (100 or 300 mg/d) or placebo administration for 8 d. As a fatigue-inducing physical task, subjects performed workload trials on a bicycle ergometer at fixed workloads twice for 2 h and then rested for 4 h. During the physical tasks, subjects performed non-workload trials with maximum velocity for 10 s at 30 min (30-min trial) after the start of physical tasks and 30 min before the end of the tasks (210-min trial). RESULTS: The change in maximum velocity from the 30- to the 210-min trial in the 300-mg coenzyme Q10-administered group was higher than that in the placebo group. In addition, subjective fatigue sensation measured on a visual analog scale in the 300-mg coenzyme Q10-administered group after the fatigue-inducing physical task and recovery period was alleviated when compared with that in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of coenzyme Q10 improved subjective fatigue sensation and physical performance during fatigue-inducing workload trials and might prevent unfavorable conditions as a result of physical fatigue.

[Fridays Child]

1. Interesting. I wonde how it compares to good, old-fashioned caffeine...

...and whether there's a similar crash effect, when the supplement wears off.

[Richard D]

2. Not caffeine like at all

and no crash.

[greenman3610]

3. co q is coming to be recommended by enlightened physicians

I take some every day.

It's not a speeder like caffeine. It works as a
factor in cellular metabolism of muscle fibers.

[Not Me]

4. There have also been findings that recommend CoQ10

for patients taking statin cholesterol drugs like Lipitor to relieve muscle soreness/stiffness.

[grasswire]

5. and yet my hotshot cardiologist...

...told me not to bother with coQ10 and wants me to start on a statin even though my cholesterol is borderline. Gah!

[spotbird]

6. Interesting, I have a friend whose

cardiologist took him off big pharma meds in favor of coQ10. It was the first time I had ever heard of it.

Is there a down side to the stuff?

[grasswire]

7. no downside

It's something that simply diminishes in the body and needs supplementing.

I believe my cardiologist is a believer in big pharma from the getgo. I'm more interested in trying natural modifications that don't have ugly side effects.

Example: a med called Coreg. The doc wanted me to start it, along with a statin. There's no way I'm going to start a med that causes extreme fatigue and weight gain. Not while my labs are borderline; not while I feel great.

So I'm looking around for another doctor.

[spotbird]

8. sounds like it's time

to move on, it's hard to find a good doctor.

[supernova]

9. I've taken it for about 2 years now

I'm 45 and I take 60 mg 2x/day, once in the morning and then again in the evening.

I definitely notice the difference for the worse on the days when I forget about it.

I have dysautonomia from my MVP, which means I often feel more tired than I really am physically. The CoQ10 really helps with that.

edit: Like grasswire, I think why not there is no downside to taking it.