Detailed product description
Cardiol is comprised of pharmaceutical-grade CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Vitamin E. When we are young, we produce our own supply of coenzyme Q10, but as we age the body’s ability to produce it declines and the need for supplementation may become necessary. Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E work synergistically together as cardiovascular nutrients, and may improve energy levels. Read CoEnzyme Q10 clinical summary...
Vitamin E helps preserve CoQ10, which is known to be highly concentrated in heart muscle cells due to the high-energy requirements of this cell type. CoEnzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble substance that is present in every cell of the body. Coenzyme Q10 is an important protector to help support already healthy c holesterol, triglyceride and homocysteine levels that are already within the normal range. This may also support the immune system, and normal metabolism functions.
Since many individuals with heart disease also have a CoEnzyme Q10 deficiency, Neways offers Cardiol, a dietary supplement formula designed to enhance the overall health of the heart, normal blood pressure and the cardiovascular system through proper enzymatic nourishment. Individuals 50 years of age or older may have a greater need for CoQ10.
In their natural state, many foods contain CoQ10, but modern heavy farming practices and chemical leaching of soils may have contributed dramatically to a decreased availability of the naturally occurring dietary CoQ10 that would normally be consumed. Possibly to compensate for fluctuating availability of CoQ10 in dietary sources, the body actually manufactures much of its supply from other nutrients. The synthesis of CoQ10 is, however, a highly complicated process involving many steps, and it requires an ample supply of several trace elements and even more vitamins. If the body is lacking in just one of these necessary components, or if the complex process is interrupted, CoQ10 deficiency could result.
The antioxidant effects of CoQ10 may be similar or even stronger than those of Vitamin E. Its enzymatic properties may aid circulation, stimulation of the immune system, increase tissue oxygenation and may have anti-aging effects. CoQ10 may also play an important role in periodontal disease supplementation. Cardiol is truly a marvelous product. With 30mg of Coenzyme Q10, 1,295 IU of Vitamin A and 30 IU of Vitamin E, Cardiol has everything necessary for optimal bioavailability of the Coenzyme Q10. Also, Cardiol has 100% Coenzyme Q10 which may also be partially comprised of Coenzyme Q8 and Q9, which makes Cardiol more efficient than other Coenzyme Q10 products.
Synthesized endogenously by mammals. Patients use this supplement to treat cancer, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, Parkinson disease and hypertension, and to prevent anthracycline cardiomyopathy. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is essential for the production of adenosine triphosphate. It also has antioxidant membrane stabilizing properties, prevents mitochondrial deformity, and maintains myocardial calcium ion channels during ischemic insults 1. CoQ10 has low bioavailability following oral administration and distributes widely throughout the body. Metabolites are excreted via the biliary tree 2. Data on effects on congestive heart failure do not concur. Case reports describing efficacy for breast cancer exist in the literature 12 13, but there are no controlled clinical trials. Use of CoQ10 to prevent anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy requires additional research. A recent study also shows that CoQ10 may be effective in early Parkinson Disease 9 . No significant adverse effects are reported. CoQ10 is structurally similar to vitamin K and therefore may antagonize the effects of warfarin 5. It may antagonize the effects of chemotherapy via antioxidant activity. Ubiquinone may reduce the effect of radiation therapy 8 . UbiQgel™, a CoQ10 formulation, is an FDA approved orphan drug under study in mitochondrial diseases (e.g. MELAS syndrome, Kearns-Sayre syndrome). Additional research is required to establish the role of CoQ10 supplementation.
Scientific Name
2, 3 dimethoxy-5 methyl-6-decaprenyl benzoquinone
Also Known As
Ubiquinone, ubidecarenone, ubiquinol, CoQ, CoQ10
Brand Name
UbiQgel™
Food Sources
Food contains clinically insignificant amounts.
Purpoted Uses
- Angina
- Cancer prevention
- Cardiovascular disease
- Chemotherapy side effects
- Congestive heart failure
- HIV and AIDS
- Hypertension
- Infertility
- Migraine prophylaxis
- Parkinson's disease
- Periodontal disease
- Strength and stamina
Mechanism of action
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), known to have antioxidant and membrane stabilizing properties, is the only endogenously produced lipid with a redox function in mammals. All cells are capable of synthesizing CoQ10 and no redistribution between organs occurs through the blood. CoQ10 is necessary for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Its role as a mobile electron carrier in the mitochondrial electron-transfer process of respiration and coupled phosphorylation is well established. It has a direct regulatory role on succinyl and NADH dehydrogenases 1 . Like vitamin E, CoQ10 is a lipid-soluble antioxidant. Like vitamin C, reduced CoQ10 effectively regenerates alpha-tocopherol from the alpha tocopheroxyl radical. CoQ10 has been demonstrated to scavenge free radicals produced by lipid peroxidation and prevent mitochondrial deformity during episodes of ischemia, and it may have some ability to maintain the integrity of myocardial calcium ion channels during ischemic insults. Its major mechanism of action is protection of ischemic tissue from reperfusion damage. CoQ10 appears capable of stabilizing cellular membranes and preventing depletion of metabolites required for ATP resynthesis 2.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Uptake of dietary CoQ in the liver does not affect the synthesis of endogenous CoQ, which supports the notion that CoQ does not exert any feedback inhibition on its own biosynthesis. Animal studies demonstrate a bioavailability of 2-3%. With high doses of dietary CoQ, the blood concentration in both rats and humans can be increased about 2- to 4-fold 2. Following ingestion of 100 mg of CoQ, peak plasma levels occur between 5 and 10 hours. Tmax is approximately 6.5 hours, which indicates slow absorption from the GI tract possibly due to the high molecular weight and low water solubility of CoQ 1.
Distribution
The mean plasma levels after a single 100 mg oral dose of CoQ in human subjects is 1.004+/- .37 mg/mL. In humans, CoQ is found in relatively high concentrations in the heart, liver, kidney, and pancreas. The plasma half-life of CoQ in different tissues varies between 49-125 hours. Following absorption from the GI tract, CoQ is taken up by chylomicrons. The major portion of an exogenous dose of CoQ is deposited in the liver and packaged into VLDL lipoprotein 1.
Metabolism/Excretion
It is assumed that metabolism and excretion of exogenous CoQ is analogous to endogenously produced CoQ. The excretion of CoQ is predominantly via the biliary tract 1.
Contraindications
An animal model of NSCLC suggests that ubiquinone intake may reduce effect of radiation therapy. 8
Adverse Reactions
Infrequent: Nausea, diarrhea, and appetite suppression 5
Drug Interactions
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: Endogenous levels of CoQ may be reduced by lovastatin, atorvastatin and simvastatin. The HMG-CoA reductase enzyme is responsible for catalyzing the conversion of acetyl CoA to cholesterol and synthesis of CoQ10 4.
Warfarin: CoQ may antagonize the effects of warfarin. CoQ is structurally similar to vitamin K 5.
Chemotherapy: Theoretically, CoQ may decrease the efficacy of chemotherapy due to antioxidant activity.
Literature Summary and Critique
Shults CW, et al. Effects of coenzyme Q10 in early Parkinson disease. Arch Neurol 2002;59:1541-50.
A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-ranging trial in 80 otherwise healthy patients with early Parkinson disease. Patients received placebo or coenzyme Q10 at dosages of 300, 600, or 1200 mg daily, split into 4 doses. Recent or concurrent use of antioxidants was not permitted. Patients were followed for up to 16 months or until treatment with levodopa was required. Primary outcome measured was Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS); the study was projected to have 73% power to detect a difference of 6 points in total UPDRS score. Mean total change was +11.99 in the placebo group and +6.69 in the 1200-mg/d group (p=0.4). Time until treatment with levodopa was not effected by treatment. Side effect profile for all doses of coenzyme Q10 was mild and similar to that for placebo. These results must be confirmed with larger studies, but this study does suggest that dosages of less than 200 mg/d in previous trials may have been inadequate.
Khatta M. The effect of coenzyme Q10 in patients with congestive heart failure. Ann Intern Med 2000;132:636-40.
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) supplementation in patients with NYHA Class III or IV heart failure. Patients were randomized to receive 200 mg/day CoQ (n=23) or placebo (n=23) for 6 months. The study was designed to detect a 2.8 mL/kg/min difference in peak oxygen consumption. Other outcomes measured were changes in left ventricular ejection fraction and exercise duration. No adverse events were reported. No significant improvement was noted in patients supplemented with 200 mg/day CoQ. However, as Shults et al. (2002) suggest, doses less than 200 mg/d may be inadequate.
Watson PS, et al. Lack of effect of coenzyme Q on left ventricular function in patients with congestive heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 1999;33:1549-52.
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, crossover design study evaluating 99 mg/day CoQ on 30 patients with chronic heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction. Patients received either placebo or 33 mg CoQ thrice daily for three weeks followed by 1-week washout period. Treatment groups crossed over to alternate treatment for 12 weeks. Transthoracic echocardiogram, Swan-Ganz catheterization, and quality of life assessments were conducted prior to and following each treatment period. No adverse events were reported during the study. No significant improvements were documented following 12 weeks of supplementation with CoQ. However, as Shults et al. (2002) suggest, doses less than 200 mg/d may be inadequate.
Lockwood K, et al. Partial and complete regression of breast cancer in patients in relation to dosage of coenzyme Q10. Biochem Biophys Res Comm 1994;199:1504-8.
A case report series, originally presented at the Eighth International Symposium on the Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q, November 1993, in Stockholm. Dr. Lockwood supplemented 32 breast cancer patients with 90 mg coenzyme Q10, linolenic acid, fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. A trial is reported in which 32 breast cancer patients were supplemented with 90 mg/day CoQ, resulting in 6 complete remissions. However, the results were not statistically significant because CoQ levels were similar to a comparison group. The physician presents two case reports of patients with intraductal carcinoma, both status post surgical resection, with recurrent local disease who went into remission with CoQ doses up to 390 mg/day. No additional data from the trial are provided. The physician suggests CoQ as a viable treatment alternative for breast cancer, although clinical trials are lacking.
Lockwood K, et al. Progress on therapy of breast cancer with vitamin Q10 and the regression of metastasis. Biochem Biophys Res Comm 1995;212:172-7.
Additional case report series describing complete remission of three patients with metastatic intraductal carcinoma treated with 390 mg/day CoQ.