What role does Coenzyme Q10 play in the body?

What role does Coenzyme Q10 play in the body?

Coenzyme Q10, otherwise known as CoQ10, is very popular health supplement. Millions of individuals take this supplement on a daily basis. It is a substance which has a very similar structure to some of the water soluble vitamins. CoQ10 is also present in the human body is varying concentrations. What it does in the body is still a puzzle but current laboratory evidence indicates that it may play a role in the production of energy at a cellular level. CoQ10 is found in highest concentration in the liver, brain, kidney, lungs and heart- parts of the body which are associated with high consumption and generation of energy.

However, the levels of CoQ10 are not consistent in all individuals and we still do not know whether it is a substrate or a product during the generation of energy. The alternative health care market has been hyping up the substance as a treatment for many medical disorders. On cyberspace, it appears that CoQ10 is a cure for everything in the medical dictionary. There is no correlation between the levels of CoQ10 and disease. Some people have high levels and have disease; but there are people who have low levels of CoQ10 and have no evidence of a medical disorder. At the moment, CoQ10 is still looking of a disease it can cure

I keep on getting recurrent colds. Should I take Echinacea?

Extracts of the Echinacea plant are widely used in both Europe and North America to treat the common cold. Echinacea extracts vary in quality and are also obtained from different parts of the plant using different manufacturing techniques. Several good clinical studies have looked at the benefits of Echinacea for the common cold- the conclusion is that Echinacea preparations made from the leaves are only slightly more effective than other extracts. However, the results are not consistent and only seen in adults. Experts do not recommend Echinacea as a preventive aid for the cold. If you want to prevent a cold, get the vaccine. It is cheaper and more effective than Echinacea

Does the American Diabetes Association recommend any herbs for treatment of diabetes?

For the moment, the American Diabetes Association has argued against the use of herbs because the health supplement industry is not regulated and the quality is not controlled. One cannot even be sure if the same supplement bought in different stores will have the same efficacy. In the last few years, numerous Chinese herbs products have been found to contain actual prescription anti diabetic drugs. These were drugs banned more than 20 years ago. Given these uncertainties and problems with fake supplements, the consumers should be cautious when it comes to use of herbs for diabetes.

For a type 2 diabetic, the best medical advice is to exercise and reduce weight. This therapy alone has been shown to significantly reduce blood sugars, lower blood pressure and decrease cholesterol. This approach is not only cheap and safe but the results are guaranteed if one is dedicated and motivated.

Can one use herbs to treat diabetes?

First the facts. Type 1 diabetes has only treatment- insulin. There is no substitute for it. There is no herb, lotion, potion, cream, pill, or drug that can replace this vital medication. The consumer is well advised not to replace the insulin with herbs for type 1 diabetes because the consequences can be lethal.

The treatment of type 2 diabetes is quite varied and involves a multidisciplinary approach, including weight loss, eating proper foods and medications. The role of herbs in type 2 diabetes remains a puzzle. Every single day, there is a new herb that is claimed to lower blood sugar; there are thousands of such anecdotal reports. Some of the common herbs which are presently being studied for their role in diabetes include stevia, bilberry gymnome and jambul. Many other herbs including Konjac mannan, American ginseng, Ipomoea batatas, Momordica charantia, nopal, aloe Vera, and fenugreek have been reported to lower blood sugar. However, the results of these herbs are neither consistent nor always reproducible. For most of these herbs, there is no scientific evidence that they actually work in diabetes. Most of the “medical benefits” of these herbs are offered by dealers and vendors of health supplements who have a vested financial interest.

While most herbs are safe and can be taken as supplements, one should not substitute them for their standard conventional anti diabetic medications without first discussing the issue with a health care professional.

Is saw palmetto safe?

It is safe as long as you do not buy Chinese made brand names. 

In general, saw palmetto is safe but has been associated with rare cases of allergies. Other common side effects of saw palmetto include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, bad breath and constipation. Experts recommend taking saw palmetto with food to avoid the nausea. The lipidosterolic extract is felt to be safe and has much fewer side effects. Other rare side effects of saw palmetto include yellow discoloration of skin and liver damage.  Since saw palmetto can enhance bleeding, people undergoing surgery or dental work should stop this herb at least 7-12 days before the procedure.

Some men do report breast tenderness, decreased libido and testicular discomfort after taking saw palmetto for a long time. Because of safety concerns the product PC SPES is no longer available in North America

Saw palmetto is not recommended for women.

How does one take saw palmetto?

The dose of saw palmetto is about 1-2 g of dried powder. There are also solutions, tinctures and whole berries available for sale and the dose is quite variable.  There are even tea formulas prepared from berries but these formulas do not work well. There is not enough data to recommend saw palmetto for use in children.

What is the big deal with saw palmetto?

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens, Sabal serrulata) is a popular herb in North America and Europe. For decades, this herb has been used by Europeans to treat symptoms of prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate or BPH). In the USA, saw palmetto is quickly gaining fame for BPH partly because it is safe and has much fewer side effects compared to the conventional drugs. However, all consumers should understand that saw palmetto is not a replacement for traditional medical therapy for prostate hypertrophy but a complimentary therapy.


Centuries ago saw palmetto was used by the Mayans to treat a variety of infections. Even the berries of the plant were widely consumed to relieve cough and fever.


At the moment saw palmetto is an accepted licensed product in many European countries but in North America it is classified as a health supplement. Its use in America is empirical and one does not need a prescription.


There is some evidence that saw palmetto does inhibit enzymes that make the hormone, testosterone, and there are other reports which indicate that the herb may also have a direct action of androgen receptors.