CoQ10 For Fibromyalgia - Is It Effective?

Should I consider taking CoQ10 for fibromyalgia?

CoQ10 is an essential molecule that is required for energy generation in the mitochondria. the mitochondrion is a specialized structure in each living cell designed to produce energy.

Studies are discovering that individuals suffering from fibromyalgia have lowering levels of coenzyme Q10, higher oxidative stress in their blood and mitochondria that are not operating at peak capacity.

The article Health Benefits of Coenzyme Q10 talks about all the benefits of CoQ10 for heart health so we won't discuss them here.

Researchers believe that low levels of CoQ10 could compromise the ability of cells to produce the necessary energy needed by the cells, as shown in individuals who suffer from congestive heart failure.

Some experts are speculating that a CoQ10 supplement could, in part, reduce fibromyalgia symptoms.

Read on to find out what research studies have revealed...

Benefits of CoQ10 for fibromyalgia - What the studies show

We found several studies that looked at the relationship between fibromyalgia and CoQ10 levels. Only the last study discussed provided some evidence that taking coenzyme Q10 could help fibromyalgia sufferers.

Study #1

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in fibromyalgia. Cordero MD, et al. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2010;31(2):169-73.

This authors in this study suggested that a CoQ10 deficiency could be, in part, responsible for causing the mitochondria to malfunction and not be able to produce sufficient energy for the cells in our body.

Recall that CoQ10 is not only required for energy generation, it is a potent antioxidant as well. There was evidence of higher oxidative stress experienced by the mitochondria.

 

Study #2

Mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy activation in blood mononuclear cells of fibromyalgia patients: implications in the pathogenesis of the disease. Cordero MD, et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2010;12(1):R17.

The authors confirm previous findings that low levels of CoQ10, higher oxidative stress and inefficient mitochondrial function are found in patients suffering from fibromyalgia.

They believe that oxidative stress is, in part, responsible for causing fibromyalgia.

See Antioxidant Facts to find out why antioxidants protect our cells against damage.

Study #3

Mitochondrial dysfunction in skin biopsies and blood mononuclear cells from two cases of fibromyalgia patients. Cordero MD, et al. Clin Biochem. 2010 Sep;43(13-14):1174-6.

This third study also confirms all previous findings that low levels of CoQ10 and high oxidative stress (both in the mitochondria and in the blood) are characteristics of fibromyalgia patients.

Study #4

An open, pilot study to evaluate the potential benefits of coenzyme Q10 combined with Ginkgo biloba extract in fibromyalgia syndrome. Lister RE. J Int Med Res. 2002 Mar-Apr;30(2):195-9.

This is the best study to date showing that coenzyme Q10 combined with Ginkgo biloba helped to reduce fibromyalgia symptoms. The benefits were seen at 4, 8 and at 12 weeks.

This was not a placebo-controlled blinded study (the "gold" standard in designing clinical trials) so there could be significant placebo effect.

This study used a dose of 200 mg CoQ10 and 200 mg of Ginkgo daily for a total of 84 days.

 

CoQ10 for fibromyalgia - Suggested dose to use

We suggest starting with 100 mg twice daily and increase gradually over several weeks. See CoQ10 Dose to get an idea of the dosage ranges used in various clinical studies.

Dosages higher than 200 mg per day should be supervised by a healthcare professional.

See CoQ10 Dose for more information on dosages of CoQ10 used for various health conditions.

 

Bottom Line

One study showed that CoQ10 and Ginkgo supplementation reduced fibromyalgia symptoms.

What is not known is whether low CoQ10 levels cause fibromyalgia or that fibromyalgia causes a drop in CoQ10 levels.

Since CoQ10 side effects are not common, taking it for several months may be the most effective way to find out if it will help provide relief from fibromyalgia symptoms.

See Health Benefit of Coenzyme Q10 to discover all the other benefits of this natural substance.

 


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