Nutraceutical: CoQ10

Indication: Congestive heart failure

Source: Am J Clin Nutr Dec. 5, 2012; doi:10.3945 (Epub ahead of print)

Research: This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of CoQ10 supplementation on the ejection fraction (EF) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). A systematic review of literature was conducted. Studies included were randomized controlled trials of CoQ10 supplementation that reported the EF or NYHA functional class as a primary outcome.

Results: Supplementation with CoQ10 resulted in a pooled mean net change of 3.67% (95% CI: 1.60%, 5.74%) in the EF and −0.30 (95% CI: −0.66, 0.06) in the NYHA functional class. Subgroup analyses showed significant improvement in EF for crossover trials, trials with treatment duration ≤12 week in length, studies published before 1994 and studies with a dose ≤100 mg CoQ10/day, and in patients with less severe CHF. Researchers concluded that pooled analyses of available randomized controlled trials suggest CoQ10 may improve the EF in patients with CHF.