CoQ10 And Selenium Reduce Cardiovascular Death

A landmark clinical trial found that death due to cardiovascular causes was reduced by more than half in older people who took selenium and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for a period of four years.

This protection was found a full five years after the selenium and CoQ10 supplementation had stopped. This means the benefit continued long after supplementation ended.¹

A follow-up analysis from the same trial demonstrated that the life-saving protection continued for over a decade after the supplement period concluded.^2,3

Follow up studies show benefits in those with existing heart disease and diabetes.^2-12

These results add powerful evidence to the link between selenium and coenzyme Q10 and heart health.

Reductions in Cardiovascular Death

In the initial study, researchers from Sweden chose healthy adults between the ages of 70 and 88 years old. Subjects were randomized to receive either a combination of 200 mg of coenzyme Q10 and 200 mcg of selenium daily or a placebo for four years.

During the follow-up period of more than five years after the end of the nutrient intervention, 12.6% of those who had received the placebo suffered a cardiovascular death. But only 5.9% of those in the selenium +CoQ10 group did—less than half the mortality rate.¹

Results from two subsequent additional follow-ups have been remarkable.

Ten years after the supplementation ended, the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease was still 49% lower in those who had received the nutrients.³ This result was true even for subjects who had existing heart disease.

After 12 years, the benefit continued; the risk of death was 41% lower in those who had received selenium and CoQ10.²

The benefits remained consistent when focusing only on subjects who had existing heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

Improved Markers of Health

Slashing the rate of cardiovascular mortality is impressive enough.

But in the last few years, several in-depth analyses of the original trial have determined that selenium and CoQ10 also improved several markers of cardiovascular and general health, including:

• Quality of life. In those given selenium and CoQ10, measures of mental and physical quality of life were maintained better than in those who took the placebo.¹²
• Hospitalization. Subjects who received the two nutrients spent a remarkable 246 fewer days, on average, in the hospital than placebo recipients.¹²
• Heart function. Those receiving the selenium and CoQ10 had significantly better cardiac function (measured by an echocardiogram) than placebo recipients.¹
• Fibrosis. Fibrosis, the development of rigid, scarred tissue, is a common element of many chronic diseases, including in the heart. Those receiving the supplementation had a reduction in fibrosis for biomarkers compared to those taking a placebo.⁶
• Oxidative Stress and Inflammation. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are significant contributors to many forms of age-related disease. In this study, several markers o oxidative stress and chronic inflammation were decreased in those taking the nutrients.^9-11,13
• Clot Formation. D-dimers are protein fragments produced by blood clots. Elevated levels in the blood correlate with cardiovascular disease. Taking selenium and CoQ10 was found to prevent an increase in D-dimers.⁷
• Glycation. Blood sugar can attach to proteins, lipids, or DNA and damage them. This process is known as glycation, and it is a contributor to most chronic diseases. Fructosamine, a compound found in blood that is a marker of glycation, is associated with risk of cardiovascular disease.^14-19 Fructosamine was reduced in those receiving the combination of nutrients.⁵
• Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Risk. High levels of the protein NT-proBNP in the blood is a marker of heart failure. It can also be an indicator of coronary and valvular heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, and stroke risk.^20-22 Selenium and CoQ10 intake was associated with reduction in NT-proBNP levels.¹

These results clearly show that taking selenium and CoQ10 did more than reduce death from cardiovascular causes. It also improved many measures of heart and overall health.

How Selenium and CoQ10 Help the Heart

On their own, selenium and coenzyme Q10 each helps protect the heart.

Several studies have shown that there is a link between cardiovascular disease and lower blood levels of both nutrients.^23-27

Selenium and CoQ10 are involved in the body’s defenses against oxidative stress, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. And CoQ10 is crucial for the proper function of the cell’s powerhouses, the mitochondria.²⁸

Selenium is important for different enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase. These are both critical parts of the body’s built-in antioxidant system that shields against oxidative damage.⁵

Selenium and CoQ10 may represent a powerful duo for the prevention of heart disease and reduction in cardiovascular deaths.

Summary

A clinical trial showed that a combination of selenium and coenzyme Q10, taken for four years, reduced cardiovascular death in a group of older adults, even five years past the end of the intervention.

Beyond that, 12 years of follow-up have now demonstrated that the protection against cardiovascular death and disease continued for over a decade after the supplementation period ended.

Analyses show that selenium and CoQ10 not only reduced mortality, but also reduced hospitalizations for heart disease, improved quality of life, boosted heart function, decreased inflammation, and improved other markers of cardiovascular and general health.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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