A new article just published in the December 2014 issue of The FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) demonstrates that supplementing with CoQ10 may lower the risk of heart disease for those born at a low birth rate. In this study supplementing low birth weight rats with CoQ10 prevented the age-associated damage that leads to heart disease. In addition the research shows that CoQ10 levels were reduced in the white blood cells from low birth weight offspring (levels of CoQ10 measured in the blood can be an indicator of how much damage has already occurred to the aorta).

Ubiquinone (CoQ10) is naturally made in the body and is essential to the proper functioning of the mitochondria. It is also a powerful antioxidant that protects our cells from oxidative damage most notably the heart cells where it helps regulates cardiac function and protects against arrhythmias cardiomyopathy congestive heart failure and hypertension. 

Coenzyme Q levels should be assessed in those at risk of cardiovascular disease. CoQ10 can be tested by many functional laboratories as well as Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp. I personally think most people should supplement with a high quality CoQ10 product. 

CoQ10 supplements are widely available over the counter; however due to its crystalline structure is difficult to absorb. Therefore it is important that patients use a CoQ10 product that is bioavailable; and they may want to consider supplementing with ubiquinol the reduced form of ubiquinone. There has been significant research over the years demonstrating the benefits of CoQ10 and cardiovascular health and clinically I have had a lot of success using Co10 for patients with high blood pressure and various other cardiovascular issues.