| Research suggests that CoQ10 can benefit | | | | immune function and acts as both an energy |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a complex and baffling | | | | producer and an antioxidant. |
| disease that incapacitates as many as half a million | | | | CoQ10 is naturally present in the cellular |
| people in the US. | | | | mitochondria, where it helps break down food and |
| CFS is a devastating and mysterious illness | | | | convert it to energy in the form of adenosine |
| characterized by overwhelming fatigue that is not | | | | triphosphate (ATP). Studies have shown that ATP |
| relieved by rest. Sufferers may find the tiredness | | | | deficiency is common in people who have CFS. |
| and weakness so extreme that it makes | | | | Boosting blood levels of the coenzyme can |
| everyday activities impossible, and short-term | | | | increase ATP levels, which in turn makes more |
| memory may also be impaired. Other typical | | | | energy available. |
| symptoms of CFS include sore throat, tender | | | | In addition, CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant which |
| lymph nodes, joint and muscle pain, and | | | | can prevent and perhaps even repair certain |
| headaches. Some CFS patients also report | | | | types of cellular damage. Antioxidants are |
| bloating, nausea, night sweats or chills, visual | | | | substances with the ability to neutralize free |
| disturbances, dizziness, and heart palpitations. | | | | radicals, chemically unstable molecules that |
| CFS affects all racial and ethnic groups, but is | | | | scavenge and damage the cells with which they |
| more common among women than men and | | | | interact. Free radical damage has been implicated |
| usually strikes people between the ages of 20 | | | | in a host of health problems and is known to be a |
| and 40, though it is occasionally diagnosed in teens | | | | factor in immune system dysfunction, which |
| and children. | | | | some experts believe plays a role in the |
| The cause of CFS is unknown, and to date there | | | | development of CFS. |
| is no clinical test that can diagnose the condition. | | | | It is believed that the coenzyme's formidable |
| Chronic viral infection, hormonal imbalance, and | | | | antioxidant properties could potentially protect the |
| immune system dysfunction have all been | | | | immune system and perhaps even help reverse |
| suggested as potential causal factors, and it is | | | | damage that has already occurred. |
| believed that in some cases at least, multiple | | | | Though no major clinical trials have measured the |
| triggers are involved. | | | | effectiveness of the coenzyme in the treatment |
| How CoQ10 can benefit CFS | | | | or management of CFS, small studies and |
| The results of several small studies suggest that | | | | surveys found that more than half of CFS |
| supplemental coenzyme Q10 can play a role in | | | | patients given CoQ10 supplements reported |
| alleviating or managing CFS. A natural substance | | | | feeling better. |
| found in every cell, the coenzyme is important to | | | | |