Coenzyme Q10 and CMT

[Guest guest]

Biochim Biophys Acta. 1995 May 24;1271(1):281-6.

Two successful double-blind trials with coenzyme Q10 (vitamin Q10) on muscular

dystrophies and neurogenic atrophies.

Folkers K, Simonsen R.

Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Texas at Austin 78705, USA.

Coenzyme Q10 (vitamin Q10) is biosynthesized in the human body and is functional

in bioenergetics, anti-oxidation reactions, and in growth control, etc. It is

indispensable to health and survival. The first double-blind trial was with

twelve patients, ranging from 7-69 years of age, having diseases including the

Duchenne, Becker, and the limb-girdle dystrophies, myotonic dystrophy.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and the Welander disease. The control coenzyme Q10

(CoQ10) blood level was low and ranged from 0.5-0.84 microgram/ml. They were

treated for three months with 100 mg daily of CoQ10 and a matching placebo. The

second double-blind trial was similar with fifteen patients having the same

categories of disease. Since cardiac disease is established to be associated

with these muscle diseases, cardiac function was blindly monitored, and not one

mistake was made in assigning CoQ10 and placebo to the patients in both trials.

Definitely improved physical performance was recorded. In retrospect, a dosage

of 100 mg was too low although effective and safe. Patients suffering from these

muscle dystrophies and the like, should be treated with vitamin Q10

indefinitely,

[Guest guest]

I'm a late onset CMT type 2.

I started having some parkinson's like pectoral spasms and read where people

with PD can take up to 1200mg/day of CoQ10 to keep the shaking at bay.

Starting with a 200mg/day dose, the CoQ10 really helped, but I had to

increase the dose another 50-100gm/day every six weeks or so. I was up to

750mg/day when someone on here posted that Cymbalta caused spasms, and so I

stopped the cymbalta.

The spasms stopped for a short while, but then returned, until I started

lowering the dosage of CoQ10. I didn't want to totally cold turkey, so I

slowly lowered the daily dosage, until I got down to 200mg/day, which I took

until I had used up all the supplements I had accumulated. I didn't really

notice a before/after difference of taking or not taking the CoQ10

supplement.

It's been about six months since I took that last of the CoQ10 and it does

seem that my muscles are more tired than ever before. This discussion has me

thinking it might be good to go back to taking a small dosage every day.

CoQ10 can be an expensive supplement. Costco.com currently has a 150mg gel

cap that is 90 for $16.95, which is a pretty good price.

O