By Allen S. Josephs, M.D.Board Certified in Internal MedicineBoard Certified in Neurology
I am a big advocate for the use of the antioxidant Coenzyme Q10 (otherwise known as CoQ10 or ubiquinone). That's why, as a neurologist, it was a pleasant surprise to open the prestigious journal Neurology and find the lead editorial discussing the potential benefits of CoQ10. The journal reported on two separate studies where CoQ10 was used for neurological disorders.
CoQ10 is a critical nutrient involved in the production of energy within our cells and has been widely used in this country for various cardiac conditions, especially congestive heart failure (CHF). Since its discovery, studies of CoQ10's clinical value has led to widespread use and substantiation of its benefits, such as treating heart diseases, increasing energy levels, enhancing the immune system, reversing gum disease, providing antioxidant activity, and preventing certain side effects of common drugs.*
Currently, there's even an exciting study underway with CoQ10 in patients with early Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in this country (after Alzheimer's), affecting about 1% of all people over the age of 50. Parkinson's is caused by the death of brain cells that control movement. It is a double-blinded, prospective, randomized study using doses of CoQ10 of 300 mg, 600 mg and 1200 mg daily. The study will be completed later this year and it may turn out that high dose co-enzyme Q10 may slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. There is strong evidence in the medical literature indicating CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant and may protect the neurons (brain cells) from dying.*
Coenzyme Q10 is a miracle nutrient that I take daily and personally recommend to my patients. The best formulation of CoQ10 that I know of is produced by Nutraceutical Sciences Institute (NSI). NSI has introduced a vastly superior delivery technology for CoQ10. Using softgel technology combined with rice bran oil and other synergistic nutrients, NSI's CoQ10 delivers up to 3X higher blood levels (absorption) when compared to the same CoQ10 in other products. To promote overall health and protection, dosages in the 10 - 60 mg range are used. If you have cardiovascular problems, neurological problems or need immune system support, many doctors recommend 300 - 600 mg per day.
Editor's note: The exclusive distributor of NSI's CoQ10 is Vitacost.comwhere you can find thousands of top brand vitamin formulations at wholesale cost. NSI's CoQ10 is available at three potency levels and is priced at over a 50% savings. Click here to learn more!
From my personal experience, proper fibromyalgia supplements can be quite important in helping those of us with fibromyalgia [or many other chronic ailments] manage our illness.
As I have stated several times in this Web site, each of us with fibromyalgia is unique, and the results we each experience in taking fibromyalgia supplements, and the type and amount of supplements that we take, can and will vary from person to person.
There have been many fibromyalgia supplements recommended over the years by many sources, that can aid us in treating our fibromyalgia symptoms. Some have their popularity wax and wane over time and others maintain their popularity and their use seems to make good common sense.
Caution: The purchasing and use of nutritional and fibromyalgia supplements can become a financial burden to many, so use them wisely and only if you see results. Make sure that the supplements are of good quality and come from responsible and known manufacturers and vendors of good reputation. Shop around. Prices and package quantities can vary widely from seller to seller. Before taking any fibromyalgia supplement always check with your physician first. Just as with prescribed medications, there can also be inter-reactions among supplements, and supplements and doctor prescribed medicines.
The following is a partial list names of some common supplements on the market being recommended for those with fibromyalgia:
Magnesium
At a minimum, I would recommend that everyone take a quality, age and gender defined, multi-vitamin on a daily basis. It cannot hurt!
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