Benefits of Ubiquinol
★★★★★
Since Deirdre just posted this new article about Ubiquinol/CoQ10 and its many health benefits here,
https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/ubiquinol-benefits.html
I thought I would mention that I am currently using Ubiquinol at 800 mg/day. Some of you may wonder why so high of a dose, and the reason is simply because newer studies using higher dosing than what used to be the norm, are showing more benefit. As an example, this 2023 study in Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) patients used 1500 mg/day to good effect at slowing disease progression. Keeping in mind that MSA is essentially an untreatable disease with a life expectance of just 3 to 5 years after diagnosis, this is an important study illustrating the value of higher dosing of ubiquinol.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10225719/
Here is a relevant quote from the study :
' High-dose ubiquinol was well-tolerated and led to a significantly smaller decline of UMSARS part 2 score compared with placebo. '
Although ubiquinol has shown benefit in relatively short term for specific health issues, I am not taking ubiquinol to try and radically improve a specific aspect of my health, but rather similarly to melatonin, to increase my chances for better health in my later years of life and to help stave off age related diseases, of which there are many such as cancer and cardiovascular disease as two big ones.
Ubiquinol, like melatonin, works to improve mitochondrial efficiency and function. Properly functioning mitochondria supply the power for the cells to operate properly and effectively. Poor functioning mitochondria are common in many disease states. The following study confirms that poorly functioning mitochondria are seen in multiple disease states :
Here is a relevant study quote :
' Mitochondrial damage is implicated as a major contributing factor for a number of noncommunicable chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, obesity, and insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes. '
Here is a study illustrating the value of ubiquinol as being beneficial in cardiovascular disease while helping to improve mitochondrial function as well as highlighting that one of the most common statins in general tends to inhibit CoQ10 availability in the body. CoQ10 also acts as an antioxidant :
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8229886/
Here is a relevant quote from the study :
' Although the importance of CoQ10 can mostly be attributed to its function as an essential molecule for energy transduction in mitochondria, new findings support its relevant function as an antioxidant, not only in mitochondria, but also in other cell compartments and tissues in the organism as well as in plasma lipoproteins. Endogenous CoQ10 biosynthesis supplies sufficient levels of this quinone in disease-free individuals. However, CoQ10 deficiency is not only based on genetic failure, but also on chronic and age-related diseases such as CVDs. In this context, CoQ10 deficiencies have risen in CVDs, since statins, one of the most common lipid-lowering drugs used in CVD patients, diminish endogenous CoQ10 biosynthesis because its initial steps are shared with the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. In this context, it has been shown that CoQ10 can potentially be used as a treatment to ameliorate these deficiencies. '
So for me, I am looking more in the long term use of ubiquinol for my overall health in a similar way as I look at melatonin.
Art
When it comes to Ubiquinol/CoQ10, dosage matters.
In the following study (2018) using 100 mg/day dosing of ubiquinol, the study showed that ubiquinol at 100 mg/day had beneficial effects toward improved diabetic parameters in people with diabetes, but had no significant impact on cholesterol and triglycerides:
Https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29936921/
Here is a relevant quote from the study :
' After 12 weeks of supplementation, glyco Hb (HbA1c) value was significantly decreased in the liquid ubiquinol group (P=0·03), and subjects in the liquid ubiquinol group had significantly lower anti-glycaemic medication effect scores (MES) compared with those in the placebo group (P=0·03). The catalase (P<0·01) and glutathione peroxidase (P=0·03) activities were increased significantly after supplementation. Plasma coenzyme Q10 was correlated with the insulin level (P=0·05), homoeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (P=0·07), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (P=0·03) and the anti-hyperglycaemic agents' MES (P=0·03) after supplementation. Lipid profiles did not change after supplementation; however, the subjects in the placebo group had a significantly lower level of HDL-cholesterol after 12 weeks of intervention. '
On the other hand, this meta analysis ( December 2022) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed that not only did higher dose CoQ10 lower cholesterol and triglycerides, but 400 to 500 mg/day was most effective :
Https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36337001/
Here is a relevant quote from the meta analysis of RCTs : ' Conclusion: CoQ10 supplementation decreased the TC, LDL-C, and TG levels, and increased HDL-C levels in adults, and the dosage of 400 to 500 mg/day achieved the greatest effect on TC. '
So here we see that while 100 mg/day ubiquinol has no effect on cholesterol and triglycerides, a dose of 400 to 500 mg/day definitely does have a significant lowering effect.
Proper dosing matters depending on what you are trying to achieve with ubiquinol/CoQ10.
Art
Energy, Mental Clarity
★★★★☆
BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Fatigue and Brain Fog
★★★★★
Thanks to you and all contributors for being the community of helpful info, sharing anecdotal successes and spreading protocols that might help others as in this case of my cousin - who can't thank me enough for bringing Art's information to him.
High Blood Pressure
★★★★★
(chicago)
08/18/2023
I used to spike like you - over 200 systolic, over 100 diastolic -I followed Art's recommendation - carditone. from the first pill I'm normal- as long as I remember to take it - sometimes only once every 2 days
(DE)
08/29/2023
I am glad your BP is under control, but 600 mg of Ubiquinol 2x per day is extremely high! I am 64, have borderline high BP and take 100 mg per day. I am going to increase the dosage after reading this, but please consider lowering the dosage some; maybe 600 mg per day to start. I follow Dr. Mercola and he does not advocate super-high doses. It's usually best to start small and work up to a maintainable daily dosage.
High Blood Pressure
★★★★★
(Connecticut)
01/30/2017
★★★★★
I gave a family member who was on blood pressure medicine Ubiquinol: a very good brand highly absorbable, with safflower oil. After taking it, one day he dropped to his knees. Taken to emergency room he was told his blood pressure was very low. I did not know his medication prior to giving him ubiquinol. I agree with everything else in the post. How many milligrams of CoQ10 can be taken with BP medicine?
Maybe because Ubiquinol is more absorbable form of CoQ10 makes a difference? Also, same product taken by a woman with heart condition aND subject to lung blood clots caused profuse sweating. Why?
I agree with this post regarding conventional med prescribed which is why I continue with vit, and supplements.
(CA)
08/01/2023
As Ubiquinol can lower your blood pressure it's good to start with a low dose and see how your body reacts as well as take your bp measurements. If it goes too low (what's considered low bp) and you take bp meds then maybe you can reduce the bp meds to keep your bp in a more ideal range. Taking both simultaneously maybe too much of a reduction in bp.
High Cholesterol
★★★★★
In the November 3 article on ubiquinol he discusses how ubiquinol is carried by the LDL shuttle (I discussed in my first post to you how the LDL and HDL are protein shuttles to carry cholesterol within the body, and the "shuttles" were not bad at all but in fact are essential to health; and that the only thing bad is if they "stick" to the walls of a tacky vein or artery.)
If the LDL sticks to the wall of the veins for instance, just as anything might stick to the vein, then if it oxidizes and inflames, you've got the beginning of cardio problems, including strokes as well as the blokage itself which would impact the heart. A stroke is a piece of plaque broken off a formation of the same and getting to the brain.
The point I'm making on your issue of cholesterol is:
Take ubiquinol to help neutralize the oxidizing effect because the ubiquitol "rides" on the LDL to get to its cellular destination. So, says Mercola, ubiquitol has the unique ability to stop a particular kind of oxidization...that of "stuck" LDL. And again, ANY nutrient, oil, sugar .... anything can oxidize and inflame...the essence of cardio problems. But as you fortify with the ubiquitol don't forget the Vitamin E (natural not synthetic). The E is your underlying heart protector.
(Denver, Colorado)
11/03/2013
Dave: Half the time you are interesting and half the time you are interested and all the time you are an open minded intellectual. Were everybody like you the world would be a better place to live.
Cross-linked proteins accumulate, the turnover of proteins decrease, the synthesis of proteins is impaired, and the oxidation of fat, results in less carbon dioxide being produced, thereby creating the conditions for high rates of ages formation. Energy production diminishes due to the accumulative damages incured to mitochondria protein complexes. Carbon dioxide is a protective factor that prevents the above mentioned processes from occuring. The amount of carbon dioxide produced to the amount of oxygen consumed is the resiratory quotient. Sugar respiration produces the highest RQ. The stress metabolism, in stark contrast, wastes carbon dioxide. Fructose generates more heat and produces more carbon dioxide than starch, protecting glycation labile amino acids and lipids, staving off the initial step in ages formation.
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
11/03/2013
Greetings Mike 62 from Denver,
Well, next to "Ted" you are the best technical guru we have on EC...I love to read your explantion of interactions and relationships. So your compliments are expecially valued since they come from you.
Your latest post discusses relationships between carbon dioxide reduction and the "AGES" formation, for instance. That carbon dioxide is a key issue is confusing to me and I've wondered about that especially in light of the good that nitric oxide is supposed to do for us. And just as that inter relationship is confusing to me so also is the relationship between H2O2; supposedly good for us but if we have lots of extra oxygen then isn't that a set up for extra oxidation?
I believe I know what all the nutrients/molecules that you mention do ... sort of...but how they inter relate is still maze-like to me. Just recently I've been re studying how the heart works...the kind of thing we all studied in basic biology. I just keep on being amazed; four valves? Really? And the right side sends the blue blood to the lungs and it comes back into the left atrium bright red laden with oxygen to ultimately be released by other values just in precise rhythm, some opening while some are closing and then the arteries take the blood to the upper body including brain and some to the lower body, trunk and legs, and it all goes non stop, without rest, 24/7 for up to 120 years or so (possibly), about 5, 000 beats an hour, and well over 100, 000 beats in a full day all run by an electrical system...but no batteries are needed. And the veins that return the blood to the magic pump are so different from the arteries. That pump is unlike all other muscles in the body and my little study is just the surface of the intricies going on. There are little devices on the valves that keep them in the shape they need to be, for instance.
Just a month ago I dedicated myself to studying the lympth system. Mercy. That too is so very complicated. I'd refer anyone interested to just Wikipedia the lymph system and be ready to "be amazed." The more I study, the more I realize that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."
Back to your last post. I read and re read and think I followed your interactions. The carbon dioxide as I said is still throwing me. So please be patient with my non technical mind and help me understand how CO2 helps the body...because its DECREASE is a crucial factor in "AGES" creation...right? And how Hydrogen Peroxide is not a super oxidizer...and how nitric oxide inter relates in the metabolic process. Looking forward to being educated.
Your student,
dave
(Denver, Colorado)
11/04/2013
Dave: You always stretch the intellect, thinking of clues and angles, becoming an enlightened knowledgable wise man. Dissolved mainly as bicarbonate, carbon dioxide has a myriad of functions, mainly by way of forming carboxylated adducts with other macro molecules. As with other enzymes that employ biotin as a cofactor, pyruvate carboxylase uses carbon dioxide as a substrate to activate oxaloacetate. The enzyme catalyzing the first step of fats, acetyl CoA, uses carbon dioxide to form malonyl CoA. The formation of malonyl CoA inhibits fatty acid oxidation, promotes glucose oxidation, and insulin sensitivity. Blood clotting proteins, for their activity, require carboxylation of their glutamate residues. Fructose increases carbon dioxide by raising energy generating metabolism, more so than starch, oils, or proteins. Fructose activates the enzyme complex PDH. Fructose reduces the levels of the proinflammatory peptide leptin. Fructose keeps the voltage-gated calcium channels open, required for the secretion of insulin containing granules from B-cells of the pancreatic islets. Fructose, compared to glucose, decreases insulin 4:1 and lowers blood fatty acid concentrations. Fructose levels in the blood rarely rise more than 1% even after ingesting high doses. Fructose is converted to glucose, glycogen, lactate, and carbon dioxide.
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
11/04/2013
To Mike 62,
On your response re the essential uses by the body of carbon dixoide...
first I'm really interested in your analysis of fructose.
Unless I misunderstand you, it is your understanding that fructose (as in refined fructose or as in fructose from eating fruits?) ...I assume you mean in the form of the refined sources, say out of sucrose which is 50 percent fructose, which is why you say refined fructose is less glycemic active than glucose? And you mention a number of other positives of fructose (again I'm assumeing fructose as in right out of a coke?). Because I've read lots of authorities, just recently Mercola who blast refined sugar, esp high fructose corn syrup and just refined fructose...He nearly calls fructose in refined for a poison.
So, I must be mistaken somewhere. I defer to you at all times on these tech points. But help me follow the fructose analysis.
And then I have a few questions about carbon dixoide and enzyme functioning which is one of the many things you explain that carbon dixoide accomplishes in the system.
Thanks for your scholarship.
Dave
(Denver, Colorado)
11/05/2013
Dave:
There is overwhelming observational evidence that sugar from fruit, nectar, and cane, through the mechanism of fructose, increases the the respitory quotient more than starch, oil, or protein. Butterflys that migrate from Canada to Mexico get all their fuel from the sugar in nectar. So do the hummingbirds that fly across the Carribean. An 80/10/10er who weighs 120 lbs. and runs 6 miles daily gets all her fuel from the 10lbs. of fruit she eats. The east africans have the 20 best times in the marathon. They get most of their fuel from corn gruel. Corn has way more fructose than other grains. Raw sugar is way better than cooked starches.
Increased Energy
★★★★★
Definite improvement in energy levels without bouncing off the ceiling, sustained improvement, but it must be the ubiquinol version for better absorption. Like everything else, not overnight improvement but after a couple of weeks, and if its also benefiting my heart, all the better.
