Hi Cynthia: I appreciated the comments you shared re: your cardiologist vet's opinion on CoQ10 and particularly your reference to good and bad studies. These studies must stand up to peer review and be publishable in accredited journals to be recognized as a "good study". You said Dr. Jacobs pointed out he hadn't seen any studies that made him think it would do any good for dogs that had a murmur but were otherwise asymptomatic, or for prophylaxis ...and then you presented your "guesses" about why he may not have agreed with the studies he reviewed. To this point, I am still wondering if he is referring to veterinary or human studies. If he meant veterinary, I would agree, as I am unaware of any veterinary studies either. However, there are "human" studies. The following is a quote from Stephen Sinatra, M.D., F.A.C.C., Board Certified Cardiologist (U.S.)(human): "As a cardiologist, I believe CoEnzymeQ10 is one of the greatest medicinal advances in the 20th century for the treatment of heart disease. It is a miracle nutrient. Hundreds of scientific studies and thousands of clinical applications have documented that this substance has proven benefits for treating a wide variety of clinical cardiac conditions including congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, angina, and arrhythmia as well as other cardiological situations. As a specialist, it is unthinkable for me to practice good cardiology without the help of CoEnzymeQ10."
What is CoEnzymeQ10? Its a natural fat-soluable nutrient present in all living cells and is necessary to the functioning of every cell in our bodies, especially for heart health. CoQ10 levels reach their peak in the human body by age 20 and fall slowly thereafter. By the age of 50-60, 60% of the population has a CoQ10 deficiency. In addition, certain medications can reduce the body's produciton of CoQ10. Once CoQ10 levels drop even by only 25%, many disease states begin to flourish, including high blood pressure, heart attack, angina, mitral valve prolapse, immune depression, periodontal disease, lack of energy, weight gain, and even early death. Quality is important. There are many CoQ10 supplements available commercially but all are not created equal. They vary in quality and absorbability. Upon laboratory tests, many products show a very poor dissolution rate, indicating that their bioavailability is negligible. In order for CoQ10 to be fully effective, it must cross the cellular barrier and raise the intracellular levels in the mitochondria (relates to the processes of cells within the body, energy, cell nourishment). The aforementioned is taken from literature provided by the supplier of the supplements I use and trust. So, if veterinarians are seeing dogs (anecdotally) who are using CoQ10 but is a poor quality, then no wonder some would naturally assume that the product is not beneficial. One must satisfy themselves about the sources they use, the research behind it and the quality control standards they meet. Quality and application matter to the result. The best nutritional sources for CoQ10 are beef heart and liver. The practice I have is to feed the natural sources on a maintenance level, then once the dog ages then start supplementing with CoQ10, lower dosages at first, 10 mg for our breed, and then build to 30 mg as MVD progresses. Maybe this will be a time when human research will benefit our dogs, rather than the other way around :) I am now drawn to thinking about the study project that the UK Club is about to undertake. This project will study MVD on the cellular level. Mmmmmm, wonder if CoEnzyme Q10 will factor in here somewhere??!! I'm anxious for this project to get underway to see what it reveals........ Pat Barrington - Barrington Cavaliers (Southern Ontario-Canada) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
