Meta Analysis Affirms Benefit For Coq10 Supplementation In Heart

Meta-analysis affirms benefit for CoQ10 supplementation in heart failure

Tuesday, December 18, 2012. The results of a meta-analysis published online on December 5, 2012 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicate that supplementing with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is associated with an improvement in ejection fraction in men and women with congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart fails to pump in an efficient manner. The condition is assessed by measuring ejection fraction, which represents the fraction of blood pumped out of heart's ventricles each time it contracts.

For their analysis, Domnica Fontino and colleagues at Tulane University selected 13 randomized, controlled trials involving CoQ10 supplementation that reported ejection fraction or New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification of congestive heart failure patients (which classifies the extent of the disease on a scale of I-IV). Coenzyme Q10 doses ranged from 60 to 300 milligrams per day, which were given for 4 to 28 weeks.

Pooled analysis of a total of 395 participants found an average net increase in ejection fraction of 3.67 percent among those supplemented with CoQ10 in comparison with control groups. New York Heart Association classification among CoQ10-supplemented subjects also improved slightly, although the researchers did not consider it significant and note that only a small number of studies included in the analysis reported NYHA classification as an outcome. In subgroup analyses, CoQ10-associated improvements in ejection fraction were significant in studies with low as well as high proportions of men, and in those involving younger or older ages. Further analysis determined that improvement was significant only among those whose ejection fraction was at least 30 percent before treatment with CoQ10.

"To our knowledge, of the meta-analyses performed to date, our meta-analysis was the most comprehensive with 13 studies," the authors announce. "Only one previous meta-analysis has examined the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on the NYHA classification, and it reported a change of 20.09 in the NYHA classification, which correlated to an improvement (a decrease in severity) that was similar to our findings."

"Our meta-analysis suggested that CoQ10 supplementation may be beneficial for patients with CHF; however, additional, well-designed studies that include more diverse populations are needed," they conclude. They add that there is currently a trial underway that is evaluating the effect of CoQ10 on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality over a two year period.

Healthy midlife behavior predicts successful aging

An article published online on October 22, 2012 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal reports that common-sense healthy behaviors practiced in midlife help ensure successful aging.

Researchers in England analyzed data from 5,100 men and women enrolled in the Whitehall II cohort study, established between 1985 and 1988. Responses to questionnaires administered between 1991 and 1994 ascertained smoking status, alcohol intake, physical activity levels, and fruit and vegetable intake. Subjects underwent clinical examinations every five years. Successful aging at 60 years of age or older was defined as the absence of a history of cancer, heart disease, diabetes or stroke, good physical, cognitive, cardiovascular and respiratory function, good mental health and no disability.

Five hundred forty-nine participants died over follow-up, and 953 met the successful aging criteria. Moderate alcohol intake was associated with 31 percent greater odds of successful aging and a 40 percent greater chance of surviving compared with heavy or no intake. Not smoking, being physically active and eating fruit and vegetables on a daily basis were similarly associated with successful aging and survival. The odds of successful aging increased with the practice of each additional behavior. Those who engaged in all four behaviors were more than three times as likely to experience successful aging compared to those who practiced none of the behaviors.

"Although individual healthy behaviours are moderately associated with successful aging, their combined impact is quite substantial," authors Séverine Sabia PhD and colleagues conclude. "Multiple healthy behaviours appear to increase the chance of reaching old age disease-free and fully functional in an additive manner. Our results should motivate lifestyle changes that not only reduce mortality and morbidity, but also improve quality of life at older ages."

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