Guest guest Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 from http://www.consumerlab.com What It Is: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is a naturally occurring anti-oxidant compound and is used for energy production within cells. It's manufactured in the heart, liver, kidney and pancreas. The body normally produces sufficient CoQ10, although some medications such as statins may interfere with this process and CoQ10 levels in the body may decline with age and heart disease. Only small amounts of CoQ10 are available from food, mainly beef and chicken. Consequently, dietary supplements are the most common way to increase the body's CoQ10 levels. What It Does: Taken orally, coenzyme Q10 may help treat congestive heart failure, a disease in which the heart doesn't adequately maintain circulation. CoQ10's role in cell energy production may be the mechanism by which it assists the heart. CoQ10 may help delay the progression of Parkinson's disease and it may also be useful in treating diseases including muscular dystrophy, AIDS, hypertension, and mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. There is recent evidence that it may increase sperm motility. Although sometimes touted for enhancing athletic performance, this hasn't been well demonstrated. Quality Concerns and What CL Tested for: No government agency is responsible for routinely testing CoQ10 supplements or other dietary supplements for their contents or quality. Research by ConsumerLab.com in 2000 found that not all CoQ10 supplements contained their claimed amounts. Because products on the market are constantly changing, ConsumerLab.com recently evaluated more CoQ10 products to determine whether they contained the amounts of CoQ10 stated on their labels. All non-chewable tablets also were tested to be sure that they would properly disintegrate. (See How Products Were Evaluated for information on testing methods and passing score.) What CL Found: There was no detectable CoQ10 in one product selected for testing. Switching from such a product to one with full dose is of medical concern since CoQ10 is used in treating serious conditions, such as congestive heart failure, and changes in medication may affect symptoms. All caplet and tablet products were able to disintegrate properly. Test Results by Product: Listed alphabetically below are the products that were tested and a summary of the results. Included in the list are products (indicated with an asterisk) that have gone through the same testing through CL's Voluntary Certification Program at the request of their manufacturers or distributors. The full list of ingredients is available for each product by clicking on the word " Ingredients " in the third column. In addition to the list below, private-label products that have passed testing are listed in the Raw Material/Private Label Certification Program area). RESULTS OF CONSUMERLAB.COM TESTING OF CoQ10 SUPPLEMENTS Click on for additional information on the product To find retailers that sell some of the listed products click here. Product Name (Claimed Amount per Unit and Recommended Daily Dose) Company (Dist. = Distributor Mfd. = Manufacturer) Claimed Amount of CoQ10 Per Labeled Daily Serving (Click on " Ingredients " for Full Listing) Test Results: (See Passing Score for More Information on Review Criteria) OVERALL RESULTS: APPROVED (Passed) or NOT APPROVED (Failed) Contained Claimed Amount of CoQ10 Amni® Chewable Co-Enzyme Q10 (100 mg CoQ10 per chewable tablet, 1 per day) Mfd. for Advanced Medical Nutrition, Inc. 100 mg Ingredients APPROVED BioSan™ Organic CoQ10 Ubiquinone (60 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1-2 per day) Dist. by Nature's Distributors 60-120 mg Ingredients NOT APPROVED No detectable CoQ10 Bronson™ Co-Enzyme Q10 30 mg (30 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1 per day) Dist. by Bronson Laboratories 30 mg Ingredients APPROVED Country® Life Hypoallergenic Co-Q10 30 mg (30 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1 per day) Dist. by Country Life 30 mg Ingredients APPROVED CVS® Pharmacy 100 mg Coenzyme Q10 (100 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)* Dist. by CVS Pharmacy, Inc. 100 mg Ingredients APPROVED Enhanced Life Sciences Co Q-10 (150 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1 per day) Dist. by Enhanced Life Sciences 150 mg Ingredients APPROVED Enzymatic Therapy Natural Medicines® Vitaline® Chewable CoQ10 100 mg Dietary Supplement Chocolate Flavored (100 mg CoQ10 per chewable tablet, 1-2 per day)* Dist. by Enzymatic Therapy, Inc. 100-200 mg Ingredients APPROVED Null's Super Coenzyme Q10 (100 mg CoQ10 per tablet, 1-2 per day) Dist. by Null & Associates 100-200 mg Ingredients APPROVED Innovative Natural Products Liquid CoQ10 10 mg CoQ10 per 1mL, 5mL per day) Dist. by Innovative Natural Products 50 mg Ingredients APPROVED Nature Made® Co Q10 (100 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1per day)* Dist. by Nature Made Nutritional Products 100 mg Ingredients APPROVED Nature's Bounty® Q-Sorb™ Co Q-10 30 mg (30 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 3 per day)* Mfd. by Nature's Bounty, Inc. 90 mg Ingredients APPROVED Nature's Bounty® Q-Sorb™ Co Q-10 50 mg (50 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 2-3 per day)* Mfd. by Nature's Bounty, Inc. 100-150 mg Ingredients APPROVED Nature's Bounty® Q-Sorb™ Co Q-10 75 mg (75 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)* Mfd. by Nature's Bounty, Inc. 75 mg Ingredients APPROVED New Chapter® Bio-Grown CoQ10™ (22 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1 per day) Dist. by New Chapter, Inc. 22 mg Ingredients APPROVED ** Nutrilite® Coenzyme Q10 Complex Dietary Supplement (30 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1-3 per day)* Dist. by Access Business Group International LLC 30-90 mg Ingredients APPROVED Olay™ Vitamins Ultra coQ10 150 mg (150 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)* Dist. by Pharmavite LLC 150 mg Ingredients APPROVED Origin® Q-Sorb™ Co Q-10, 100 mg (100 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)* Dist. by Target Corporation 100 mg Ingredients APPROVED Pro Health™ Coenzyme Q10 (50 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 2 per day) Dist. by Pro Health, Inc. 100 mg Ingredients APPROVED *** Puritan's Pride® Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q-10 120 mg (120 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)* Mfd. by Puritan's Pride, Inc. 120 mg Ingredients APPROVED Puritan's Pride® Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q-10 200 mg (200 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)* Mfd. by Puritan's Pride, Inc. 200 mg Ingredients APPROVED Puritan's Pride® Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q-10 75 mg (75 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)* Mfd. by Puritan's Pride, Inc. 75 mg Ingredients APPROVED Shaklee® Coenzyme Q10, Resveratrol & More, CoQHeart™ Dietary Supplement (30 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day) Dist. by Shaklee Corporation 30 mg Ingredients APPROVED Spring Valley® Q-Sorb™ Co Q-10, 150 mg (150 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)* Mfd. by Nature's Bounty, Inc. 150 mg Ingredients APPROVED Sundown® Benefits CoQ-10, 75 mg (75 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 2 per day)* Dist. by Rexall Sundown, Inc. 150 mg Ingredients APPROVED Sundown® CoQ-10 100mg (100 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)* Dist. by Rexall Sundown, Inc. 100 mg Ingredients APPROVED Sundown® CoQ-10 50mg (50 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1-3 per day)* Dist. by Rexall Sundown, Inc. 50-150 mg Ingredients APPROVED Synergy Plus™ Super Strength Natural Coenzyme Q-10 60 mg (60 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1 per day) Mfd. by Synergy Plus 60 mg Ingredients APPROVED Tree of Life CoQ10 30 mg (30 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1 per day) Dist. by Tree of Life 30 mg Ingredients APPROVED Vitamin World® Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q-10 200 mg (200 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 1 per day)* Mfd. by Vitamin World, Inc. 200 mg Ingredients APPROVED Vitamin World® Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q-10 30 mg (30 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 3 per day)* Mfd. by Vitamin World, Inc. 90 mg Ingredients APPROVED Vitamin World® Q-Sorb™ Coenzyme Q-10 50 mg (50 mg CoQ10 per softgel, 2-3 per day)* Mfd. by Vitamin World, Inc. 100-150 mg Ingredients APPROVED Whole Health Premium Supplements Pure Crystalline Pharmaceutical Grade CoEnzyme Q10 Extra Strength Dietary Supplement 150 mg (150 mg CoQ10 per capsule, 1-2 per day) Dist. by Whole Health Products 150-300 mg Ingredients APPROVED *Tested through CL's Voluntary Certification Program prior to, at time of, or after initial posting of this Product Review. **Original testing indicated a lower amount than labeled. The manufacturer subsequently informed ConsumerLab.com that the product contained a unique formulation requiring an alteration in the standard testing method. Consumerlab.com found this to be valid. Repeat testing found the product to meet its label claim. ***Original testing indicated a higher amount than labeled. The manufacturer subsequently informed ConsumerLab.com that ConsumerLab.com had misinterpreted the Supplement Facts information to be per serving (2 capsules), while the information presented was per capsule. Recalculation found the product to meet its label claim. Unless otherwise noted, information about the products listed above is based on the samples purchased by ConsumerLab.com (CL) for this Product Review. Manufacturers may change ingredients and label information at any time. So be sure to check labels carefully when evaluating the products you use or buy. If a product's ingredients differ from what is listed above, it may not necessarily be of the same quality as what was tested. The information contained in this report is based on the compilation and review of information from product labeling and analytic testing. CL applies what it believes to be the most appropriate testing methods and standards. The information in this report does not reflect the opinion or recommendation of CL, its officers or employees. CL cannot assure the accuracy of information provided to it by third parties. Liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this report is hereby disclaimed. Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2004. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced, excerpted, or cited in any fashion without the express written permission of ConsumerLab.com LLC. ConsumerTips™ for Buying and Using: CoQ10 recommended daily dosages vary widely, resulting in products on the market that claim to contain anywhere from 10 to 200 mg per pill of the substance. When comparing product costs, consider the dosage and number of pills per bottle. Using CoQ10 to treat congestive heart failure should be considered an adjunct to, not a replacement for, other medications; a daily dose of 100 to 200 mg of CoQ10 is generally used, with the dose depending on the individual's weight. Be aware that improvement in symptoms may take more than one month. Don't suddenly stop taking CoQ10, because symptoms may worsen. Tapering off the supplement is recommended. Similarly, you may want to work up to the full dose over a period of weeks when starting therapy, as some people experience heart pain with full dose therapy. For other diseases, the following daily doses have been used, although optimal dosage levels have not been determined: For Parkinson's disease 300 to 1,200 mg; for hypertension 120 mg; for HIV/AIDS 200 mg; for muscular dystrophy 100 mg; for mitochondrial encephalomyopathies 150 to 160 mg and sometimes higher; for increasing sperm motility 200 mg. Divided dosing (taking two or three equally divided smaller doses instead of one large dose a day) is recommended when the total daily dose exceeds 100 mg. CoQ10, especially the dry dosage form (tablet or capsule), is best absorbed when fats or oils are present in the gastrointestinal tract, so take the supplement with meals. A softgel isn't considered a dry form. Cautions and Concerns: CoQ10 is generally safe when taken in appropriate amounts, but be aware that CoQ10's safety has not been evaluated for children and pregnant or breast-feeding women. Individuals with diabetes and those taking blood thinners are strongly advised to consult a physician before taking this supplement, because of potential drug interactions. Certain medications, including some cholesterol-lowering " statin " drugs, beta-blockers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics may decrease the body's natural production of CoQ10; therefore, the CoQ10 dosage for individuals taking any of these drugs should possibly be higher than generally recommended. More information about the uses and clinical studies with CoQ10 is found in an excellent review article found at in the Natural Products Encyclopedia on the ConsumerLab.com website. To further assist consumers, ConsumerLab.com licenses its flask-shaped CL Seal of Approved Quality (see The CL Seal) to manufacturers for use on labels of products that have passed its testing. ConsumerLab.com will periodically re-evaluate these products to ensure their compliance with ConsumerLab.com's standards. Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any product nor it is it meant to substitute for the advice provided by physicians or other healthcare professionals. The information contained herein should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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