Coenzyme Q-10

[Guest guest]

Two things:

Here's a quote from the study itself that cautions about running out and starting CoQ-10 --

"Dr. Shults and his colleagues strongly caution patients against taking coenzyme Q10 until a larger, definitive trial can be conducted. Because coenzyme Q10 is classified as a dietary supplement, it is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The versions of the supplement sold in stores may differ, they may not contain potentially beneficial amounts of the compound, and taking coenzyme Q10 over a number of years may be costly, says Dr. Shults. In addition, the current study included only a small number of patients, and the findings may not extend to people in later stages of PD or to those who are at risk but have not been diagnosed with the disorder, he notes. Finally, if many people begin taking coenzyme Q10 because of these early results, it might make it impossible for investigators to find enough patients to carry out definitive studies of the compound's effectiveness and the proper dosages, since patients must not be taking any treatments in order to be considered for enrollment in a definitive trial."

Secondly, the supplement used in the study was provided by Vitaline. I called them () and found that they used Co Q-10 wafers. They are 300mg each, so you need 4 a day and you would need 2 bottles a month at $100 a bottle, for a total of $200 a month.

I would be very cautious about making this type of investment for an unproved treatment (unproven for Parkinson's and still more unproven for MSA.) Please discuss it with your doctor before starting this treatment.

Carol & Rob

Lexington, MA

[Guest guest]

Two things:

Here's a quote from the study itself that cautions about running out and starting CoQ-10 --

"Dr. Shults and his colleagues strongly caution patients against taking coenzyme Q10 until a larger, definitive trial can be conducted. Because coenzyme Q10 is classified as a dietary supplement, it is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The versions of the supplement sold in stores may differ, they may not contain potentially beneficial amounts of the compound, and taking coenzyme Q10 over a number of years may be costly, says Dr. Shults. In addition, the current study included only a small number of patients, and the findings may not extend to people in later stages of PD or to those who are at risk but have not been diagnosed with the disorder, he notes. Finally, if many people begin taking coenzyme Q10 because of these early results, it might make it impossible for investigators to find enough patients to carry out definitive studies of the compound's effectiveness and the proper dosages, since patients must not be taking any treatments in order to be considered for enrollment in a definitive trial."

Secondly, the supplement used in the study was provided by Vitaline. I called them () and found that they used Co Q-10 wafers. They are 300mg each, so you need 4 a day and you would need 2 bottles a month at $100 a bottle, for a total of $200 a month.

I would be very cautious about making this type of investment for an unproved treatment (unproven for Parkinson's and still more unproven for MSA.) Please discuss it with your doctor before starting this treatment.

Carol & Rob

Lexington, MA