Dr. Atkins, in his monthly newsletter presented some very valuable information about CoQ10. He states that what is good for the heart may also be good for the breast. New research suggests that Coenzyme Q,10, a versatile nutrient known for its ability to protect the cardiovascular system may be able to coax some breast cancers into remission. Thirty-two women with breast cancer took 90 mg of CoQ,10 along with high daily doses of antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Statistically, six of the women should have died over the course of the two-year study. Remarkably, though, all lived. Some even got better (Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1 994; 1 99:1 504-8) .

How much better? Six women went into partial remission, and breast tumors disappeared entirely in two women who took 300 mg or more of the enzyme per day. Dr. Knud Lockwood, M.D., of Denmark wrote that until the test of CoQI0, he has "never seen a spontaneous complete regression of a tumor, and has never seen a comparable regression on any conventional anti-tumor therapy." This doctor has treated some 200 cases of breast cancer per year for over 35 years.

Dr. Atkins states in his article that he usually recommend 200 to 400 mg of CoQI0 a day. It's part of his patients' personalized treatment program. Coenzyme Ql0 requires some fat for absorption into the blood stream, so you should always take it with the biggest meal of the day. Or you can take it as a preparation by Phillips Nutritionals called OptiQ100, in which the CoQI0 is dissolved in soybean oil. (Cancer / woman / Atkins) 6

What is CoQ10 ? It is a fat soluble vitamin-like substance present in every cell of the human body and serves as a coenzyme for several of the key enzymatic steps in the production of energy within the cell. It also functions as an antioxidant. It is present in small amounts in a number of foods and its highest concentration occurs in organ meats like the heart, kidney and liver. It is present also in sardines, mackerel and peanuts.

Unfortunately it is difficult to derive an optimum amount of CoQ10 from the foods that we eat. One would have to eat over 7 pounds of peanuts, or 3 pounds of mackerel, or 6 pounds of beef daily to obtain 90 mg of CoQ10, an almost impossible task. 7 However CoQ10 is also manufactured by the body but this is a rather complex 17 step process requiring vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin C, panotothenic acid and several trace minerals. As we age, however, our ability to manufacturer CoQ10 diminishes considerably.

Dr. Folker (the man who identified CoQ10 in 1958), argues that sub optimal nutrient intake is almost universal and as a result there is a secondary impairment in the biosynthesis of this important substance. 7. It would follow then that taking supplemental CoQ10 would be the only way to provide this substance in the quantity that has appeared to be beneficial in reversing disease.

Like the vitamins discovered years ago, CoQ10 is an essential element of food that is now used to support sick patients where nutritional depletion and cellular dysfunction are present. Since CoQ10 is essential to optimal function of all cells, it is not surprising to find that a number of diverse disease states respond favorably to CoQ10 supplementation. 7

Dr. Peter Langsjoen, M.D., in his paper on CoQ10, states that "It is reasonable to assume that optimal nutrition (which would include optimal levels of CoQ10 ) is generally beneficial in any disease state, including cancer."

Extensive research has proven that CoQ10 supplementation has no negative side effects whatsoever. In fact, test subjects reported a higher incidence of side effects with inert placebos that with CoQ10. 8 As an additional fact, CoQ10 which is a prescription drug in Japan, is the most prescribed drug in that country and it is estimated to be taken by over 50 million people daily. Since it did not meet the criteria needed for prescription drug classification in the U.S. it was simply classified as a food substance. Since there is no money to be made from it by the drug companies most doctors were not made aware of it. The beneficial effect of this situation, however, is that it is available in most health food shops at reasonable prices

References:

6) Dr. Atkins, monthly newsletter

7) An introdustion to CoQ10 By: Peter H. Langsjoen, M.D.

8) http://www.marsweb.com/musichouse/cancer.htm