Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) by Celeste Cooper

I was recently asked about three supplements specifically. Going with my rule, "If one person has a question, someone else probably does too."  I will try to periodically post information on questions that have been asked.

From Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection. by Celeste Cooper, RN and Jeffrey Miller, PhD. 434 pages (8 ½ X 11). Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2010.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Coenzyme Q10 is a natural compound produced by the body. In addition to a staggering number of proposed benefits, there are anecdotal reports that it helps with brain fog.

On a cellular chemistry level, this antioxidant helps convert food into energy. Doctors who emphasize nutritional complementary medicine believe that supplemental use of CoQ10 may play a role in keeping cholesterol lowering statin drugs from depleting natural CoQ10. Studies are underway regarding its effect as a supplement and its usefulness in tandem with cholesterol lowering drugs.

A recent study suggests that both vitamin E and CoQ10 could improve free radical ability to clean and protect basic cellular oxidative reactions. Such reactions include the process that makes energy in food available for cellular metabolism.51 Beneficial effects, prolonged use, and appropriate dosing are questions that still need to be answered.

51. R. Staud and M. Spaeth, “Psychophysical and neurochemical abnormalities of pain processing in fibromyalgia,” CNS Spectrums 13, no. 3, suppl. no. 5 (2008): 12–17.

Available from publisher:

INNER TRADITIONS, Bear and Company here.

Also available at all major outlets.

Amazon here.

Barnes and Nobel here.

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All answers and blogs are based on the author's opinions and writing and are not meant to replace medical advice.  

Celeste Cooper is a retired RN, educator, fibromyalgia patient, and lead author of the Broken Body Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See Saw of Chronic Pain devotional series (coauthor, Jeff Miller PhD), and Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection (coauthor, Jeff Miller PhD) She is a fibromyalgia expert for Dr. Oz, et al., at Sharecare.com, here, and she advocates for all chronic pain patients as a participant in the Pain Action Alliance to Implement a National Strategy, here. You can read more educational information and about her books on her website, http://TheseThree.com