Re: Winona/ Hashimoto's, mitral valve prolapse and palpi

[Guest guest]

> Winona,

> You are fabulous!

> Kerry

_____

Thanks - magnesium has made such a difference in my life - I feel a

moral obligation to share any part of what I have learned in the past

couple of years.

Take care,

Winona>

[Guest guest]

Winona

I am just wondering if you have anything on CoQ10 right off hand?

[Guest guest]

Winona

I am just wondering if you have anything on CoQ10 right off hand?

[Guest guest]

> Winona

I am just wondering if you have anything on CoQ10 right off hand?

>

______________--

,

The only CoQ10 references I have here are relating to CoQ10 and

migraines. I have however, got a copy of a write up by Dr. Hemmi N.

Bhagvan. I haven't checked out the studies that are referenced in

this article:

CoQ10 Heart Therapy

Statin drugs have been widely prescribed in recent years to reduce the

risk of heart disease by blocking cholesterol production in the body.

One unfortunate side effect is that they also block the production of

CoQ10.

Co-enzyme Q

Co-enzyme Q (CoQ10) plays an essential role in the production of

cellular energy in most aerobic (oxygen-dependent) organisms,

including humans, animals and plants. Because of its wide and

ubiquitous distribution in nature, CoQ10 is also known as ubiquinone.

CoQ10 is synthesized in the body. Under certain conditions, CoQ10

production may not meet the needs of tissues with high energy

requirements, preventing them from functioning properly. The heart is

one such organ.

Dr. Fred Crane and his colleagues first isolated CoQ10 in 1957 from

beef heart mitochondria. Mitochondria are the power plants of cells,

and produce cellular energy called ATP by using oxygen. Dr. Karl

Folkers and his research team at Merck Sharpe and Dohme Research

Laboratories determined the chemical structure of CoQ10 and

subsequently synthesized the compound. This was followed by Dr.

's work on the function of CoQ10 in biological energy

production systems, for which he received the Nobel Prize. It was

discovered that CoQ10 functions as a coenzyme in the mitochondrial

electron transport system, by a mechanism called the " proton-motive Q

cycle. "

Although some people call CoQ10 a vitamin, it does not, by strict

definition, meet the criteria on one account: it is synthesized in the

body. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. For instance,

choline, a B vitamin, is synthesized in the body. But there are

situations in which the endogenous production may be inadequate. CoQ10

may be viewed in the same light.

It is not surprising that the early studies on the potential

therapeutic value of CoQ10 focussed on heart disease. The heart, with

its high energy needs, has the highest concentration of CoQ10.

In 1976, when the mechanism of CoQ10 was still being clarified, Dr.

Ishiyama and his colleagues in Japan demonstrated the clinical

usefulness of CoQ10 in congestive heart failure (CHF). Then, in 1985,

Dr. K. Folkers, Dr. S.A. Mortensen and their group clearly established

a strong correlation between CHF and low tissue levels of CoQ10.

The original Japanese findings on the clinical efficacy of CoQ10 in

CHF have been confirmed in numerous clinical trials carried out in

several different countries, including the United States. There have

been a number of international conferences on CoQ10 since 1976.

Clinical applications of CoQ10 in heart disease have included

diastolic dysfunction, angina pectoris, hypertension, ventricular

arrhythmia, mitral valve prolapse and drug induced cardiotoxicity. In

most of these trials, CoQ10 supplementation was employed as an adjunct

to standard medical therapy.

Statin drugs have been widely prescribed in recent years to reduce the

risk of heart disease by blocking cholesterol production in the body.

One unfortunate side effect is that they also block the production of

CoQ10. This, in the long run, can compromise patients' CoQ10 status,

which could predispose them to heart disease, the very condition the

drugs are supposed to prevent.

CoQ10 and the Immune System

Our immune systems are very complex and are modulated by a number of

factors. CoQ10 has been recognized as one of the important nutrients

that affect the immune system. Adequate CoQ10 is necessary for the

immune system to function properly. This may help explain the reported

beneficial effects of CoQ10 supplementation in many conditions such as

peridontal disease, cancer and AIDS.

CoQ10 and Other Health Conditions

CoQ10 has another important function in our body — as an antioxidant.

For example, it helps protect low density lipoproteins, such as

cholesterol, from oxidation. This reduces the risk of plaque

formation, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. CoQ10 also

interacts with other antioxidants, increasing overall benefit.

There are a number of other conditions where CoQ10 supplementation has

been found to be beneficial, including diabetes and neurodegenerative

disorders such as Huntington's disease. Here, both the antioxidant

functions and the coenzyme functions are likely to be involved.

Mitochondrial cytopathies are among the neurodegenerative disorders

where there is a genetic defect involving one or more of the

CoQ10-dependent enzyme systems in the respiratory chain. CoQ10

supplementation has been found to be beneficial in many such conditions.

Dosage, Forms and Bioavailability

For those taking CoQ10 supplements for general well being, the average

daily dose is from 15 to 30 mg. In some cases of heart disease,

clinical response has been observed with initial daily doses as low as

30 mg. Generally, however, much higher dosages are required. The

National Institute for Neurological Diseases and Stroke is currently

conducting a multicenter trial on CoQ10 in Huntington's disease, in

which the daily dosage is 600 mg.

There are basically three types of CoQ10 products available on the

market: hard capsules containing powder, soft gelatin capsules

containing an oil-based suspension, and chewable tablets. In a recent

study, different forms of CoQ10 were compared to a new water soluble

product called Q-Gel (Tishcon Corp., Westbury, N.Y., and distributed

in Canada by Inno-Vite Inc. ). The data clearly demonstrates Q-Gel to

be superior in terms of blood levels and bioavailability. Tishcon has

been successful in solubilizing the highly insoluble CoQ10, thus

enhancing its absorption into the blood stream. Therefore, lower doses

of Q-Gel are needed to reach and maintain adequate blood levels. These

findings have been published in scientific journals.

The importance of determining blood CoQ10 levels in clinical trials

cannot be overemphasized. In many early trials, blood levels were not

monitored. It is quite possible that in some cases where beneficial

effects were not observed, adequate blood levels were not achieved.

CoQ10 generally comes in strengths varying from 10 to 100 mg. CoQ10

has been approved as a drug in Japan and a few other countries; in the

United States and Canada, it is sold as a dietary supplement.

Cheers,

Winona

[Guest guest]

> Winona

I am just wondering if you have anything on CoQ10 right off hand?

>

______________--

,

The only CoQ10 references I have here are relating to CoQ10 and

migraines. I have however, got a copy of a write up by Dr. Hemmi N.

Bhagvan. I haven't checked out the studies that are referenced in

this article:

CoQ10 Heart Therapy

Statin drugs have been widely prescribed in recent years to reduce the

risk of heart disease by blocking cholesterol production in the body.

One unfortunate side effect is that they also block the production of

CoQ10.

Co-enzyme Q

Co-enzyme Q (CoQ10) plays an essential role in the production of

cellular energy in most aerobic (oxygen-dependent) organisms,

including humans, animals and plants. Because of its wide and

ubiquitous distribution in nature, CoQ10 is also known as ubiquinone.

CoQ10 is synthesized in the body. Under certain conditions, CoQ10

production may not meet the needs of tissues with high energy

requirements, preventing them from functioning properly. The heart is

one such organ.

Dr. Fred Crane and his colleagues first isolated CoQ10 in 1957 from

beef heart mitochondria. Mitochondria are the power plants of cells,

and produce cellular energy called ATP by using oxygen. Dr. Karl

Folkers and his research team at Merck Sharpe and Dohme Research

Laboratories determined the chemical structure of CoQ10 and

subsequently synthesized the compound. This was followed by Dr.

's work on the function of CoQ10 in biological energy

production systems, for which he received the Nobel Prize. It was

discovered that CoQ10 functions as a coenzyme in the mitochondrial

electron transport system, by a mechanism called the " proton-motive Q

cycle. "

Although some people call CoQ10 a vitamin, it does not, by strict

definition, meet the criteria on one account: it is synthesized in the

body. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. For instance,

choline, a B vitamin, is synthesized in the body. But there are

situations in which the endogenous production may be inadequate. CoQ10

may be viewed in the same light.

It is not surprising that the early studies on the potential

therapeutic value of CoQ10 focussed on heart disease. The heart, with

its high energy needs, has the highest concentration of CoQ10.

In 1976, when the mechanism of CoQ10 was still being clarified, Dr.

Ishiyama and his colleagues in Japan demonstrated the clinical

usefulness of CoQ10 in congestive heart failure (CHF). Then, in 1985,

Dr. K. Folkers, Dr. S.A. Mortensen and their group clearly established

a strong correlation between CHF and low tissue levels of CoQ10.

The original Japanese findings on the clinical efficacy of CoQ10 in

CHF have been confirmed in numerous clinical trials carried out in

several different countries, including the United States. There have

been a number of international conferences on CoQ10 since 1976.

Clinical applications of CoQ10 in heart disease have included

diastolic dysfunction, angina pectoris, hypertension, ventricular

arrhythmia, mitral valve prolapse and drug induced cardiotoxicity. In

most of these trials, CoQ10 supplementation was employed as an adjunct

to standard medical therapy.

Statin drugs have been widely prescribed in recent years to reduce the

risk of heart disease by blocking cholesterol production in the body.

One unfortunate side effect is that they also block the production of

CoQ10. This, in the long run, can compromise patients' CoQ10 status,

which could predispose them to heart disease, the very condition the

drugs are supposed to prevent.

CoQ10 and the Immune System

Our immune systems are very complex and are modulated by a number of

factors. CoQ10 has been recognized as one of the important nutrients

that affect the immune system. Adequate CoQ10 is necessary for the

immune system to function properly. This may help explain the reported

beneficial effects of CoQ10 supplementation in many conditions such as

peridontal disease, cancer and AIDS.

CoQ10 and Other Health Conditions

CoQ10 has another important function in our body — as an antioxidant.

For example, it helps protect low density lipoproteins, such as

cholesterol, from oxidation. This reduces the risk of plaque

formation, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. CoQ10 also

interacts with other antioxidants, increasing overall benefit.

There are a number of other conditions where CoQ10 supplementation has

been found to be beneficial, including diabetes and neurodegenerative

disorders such as Huntington's disease. Here, both the antioxidant

functions and the coenzyme functions are likely to be involved.

Mitochondrial cytopathies are among the neurodegenerative disorders

where there is a genetic defect involving one or more of the

CoQ10-dependent enzyme systems in the respiratory chain. CoQ10

supplementation has been found to be beneficial in many such conditions.

Dosage, Forms and Bioavailability

For those taking CoQ10 supplements for general well being, the average

daily dose is from 15 to 30 mg. In some cases of heart disease,

clinical response has been observed with initial daily doses as low as

30 mg. Generally, however, much higher dosages are required. The

National Institute for Neurological Diseases and Stroke is currently

conducting a multicenter trial on CoQ10 in Huntington's disease, in

which the daily dosage is 600 mg.

There are basically three types of CoQ10 products available on the

market: hard capsules containing powder, soft gelatin capsules

containing an oil-based suspension, and chewable tablets. In a recent

study, different forms of CoQ10 were compared to a new water soluble

product called Q-Gel (Tishcon Corp., Westbury, N.Y., and distributed

in Canada by Inno-Vite Inc. ). The data clearly demonstrates Q-Gel to

be superior in terms of blood levels and bioavailability. Tishcon has

been successful in solubilizing the highly insoluble CoQ10, thus

enhancing its absorption into the blood stream. Therefore, lower doses

of Q-Gel are needed to reach and maintain adequate blood levels. These

findings have been published in scientific journals.

The importance of determining blood CoQ10 levels in clinical trials

cannot be overemphasized. In many early trials, blood levels were not

monitored. It is quite possible that in some cases where beneficial

effects were not observed, adequate blood levels were not achieved.

CoQ10 generally comes in strengths varying from 10 to 100 mg. CoQ10

has been approved as a drug in Japan and a few other countries; in the

United States and Canada, it is sold as a dietary supplement.

Cheers,

Winona