Coenzyme Q10 And Garlic Reduce Atherosclerosis Progression In Clinical Trial

Coenzyme Q10 and garlic reduce atherosclerosis progression in clinical trial

Trial uncovers protective effect for multinutrient supplement against cancer

Friday, October 26, 2012. The July, 2012 issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research reported the outcome of a trial of middle-aged men which found a protective effect for coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and aged garlic extract against the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and inflammation.

The study included 50 firefighters of an average age of 55 who were considered to be at intermediate risk for a coronary event. Coronary artery calcium scanning, which assesses the extent of atherosclerosis, was conducted prior to enrollment and at the end of the trial. The current trial was limited to subjects with coronary artery calcium scores greater than 10, which indicates the presence of a mild to moderate amount of atherosclerotic plaque. Blood samples were analyzed for C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, before and after the treatment period. The participants were divided to receive a daily placebo or a capsule containing 120 milligrams CoQ10 and 1200 milligrams aged garlic extract for one year.

At the end of the trial, average coronary artery calcium progression was significantly less among those who received CoQ10 and garlic compared to the placebo group. While C-reactive protein levels increased by an average of 0.91 milligrams per liter (mg/L) among those who received the placebo, for subjects who received CoQ10 and garlic, CRP levels declined by an average of 0.12 mg/L.

Authors Irfan Zeb of the University of California, Los Angeles and his colleagues remark that aged garlic extract has been shown to help slow the progression of coronary atherosclerosis in addition to improving vascular function and oxidative biomarkers. CoQ10 has antioxidant properties as well, and has been found to be reduced in men and women with coronary artery disease. "This is the first study to our knowledge evaluating the effect of combination of aged garlic extract and CoQ10 on coronary atherosclerosis and inflammatory biomarkers," they announce. "Participants taking aged garlic extract and CoQ10 combination were found to have significant improvements in coronary artery calcium and CRP, suggestion improvement in cardiovascular health."

They add that the outcome of this and other studies suggests the need for an assessment of garlic and CoQ10's ability to reduce cardiovascular disease events.

Large study links reduced vitamin D levels with increased risk of heart disease and premature death

On August 30, 2012, the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology reported a protective effect for higher vitamin D levels against the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and death from any cause over up to 29 years of follow-up.

Børge Nordestgaard of the University of Copenhagen and his associates evaluated data from 4,410 men and 5,709 women enrolled in the Copenhagen City Heart Study whose plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured between 1981 and 1983. The subjects were followed up to the present, during which 3,100 ischemic heart disease events, 1,625 heart attacks and 6,747 deaths occurred.

Participants whose vitamin D levels were among the lowest 5% at less than 15 nanomoles per liter were compared with those whose levels were among the top 50% at over 50 nanomoles per liter. "We have now examined the association between a low level of vitamin D and ischemic heart disease and death in the largest study to date," announced first author Peter Brøndum-Jacobsen. "We observed that low levels of vitamin D compared to optimal levels are linked to 40% higher risk of ischemic heart disease, 64% higher risk of heart attack, 57% higher risk of early death, and to no less than 81% higher risk of death from heart disease."

"With this type of population study, we are unable to say anything definitive about a possible causal relationship," Dr Nordestgaard noted. "But we can ascertain that there is a strong statistical correlation between a low level of vitamin D and high risk of heart disease and early death. The explanation may be that a low level of vitamin D directly leads to heart disease and death. However, it is also possible that vitamin deficiency is a marker for poor health generally."

"Our study suggests an inverse association between long-chain dietary omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA and fish oil supplement use with risk of endometrial cancer," the authors conclude. "Future studies should further explore associations with intake of specific fatty acids, food sources, and blood and tissue biomarkers to understand better the associations between these fatty acids and endometrial cancer risk."

November, 2012 Life Extension Magazine® Now Available in Electronic Format

This e-issue of Life Extension Magazine® is extraordinarily easy to use, easy to navigate … with the same flip-the-page feeling you get from your printed copy, plus a few extra advantages. You can choose to search out a topic or keyword. Skim quickly. Skip ahead. Even order products. Now all that convenience is right at your fingertips.

Epigenetics for breast cancer prevention, by Alexander Johnson
The science of epigenetics uses nutrients and certain drugs to regulate genes, thereby changing the way breast cancer cells age and reproduce.

Innovative laser therapy offers new hope for breast cancer patients, by Logan Bromwell
In a human clinical research trial supported by Life Extension®, scientists are testing an innovative, laser-assisted immune therapy against advanced breast cancer.

Dorothy Hamill: An inspiration on and off the ice, by Jon Finkel
Five years ago, America's Sweetheart—Olympic Gold Medal winner and longtime Ice Capades star, Dorothy Hamill─was diagnosed with breast cancer.

DHA: An essential brain food, by Kirk Stokel
Studies show that brain tissue contains the highest concentration of DHA in the body.

How bioflavonoids create youthful skin tone, by Gary Goldfaden, MD and Robert Goldfaden
A topical formulation harnesses the rejuvenating synergy of three flavonoids—quercetin, hesperidin, and rutin—to nourish and heal skin cells through multiple pathways.

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Highlight

Life Extension Update		What's Hot
	Coenzyme Q10 plus selenium supplementation reduces cardiovascular deaths in long term trial		Garlic compound shows promise in cardiac conditions
	Garlic compound 100 times more effective than antibiotics at fighting food borne illness		Garlic shows promise for protection against cardiomyopathy
	Garlic could help reduce osteoarthritis of the hip		Coenzyme Q10 improves endothelial function in heart disease patients

Life Extension Magazine®		Health Topics
	Garlic: medical science discovers new uses for an ancient herb		Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease
	Aged garlic extract reduces heart disease risk factors		Chronic inflammation
	Garlic the bountiful bulb