Serum CoQ10 Levels Related to Risk of Dementia
A recently published study shows that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels correlate with risk of dementia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia. Starting at age 65, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years. By age 85 years and older, 25% to 50% of people will exhibit signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
The subjects included 6,000 adults who were between 40 to 69 years of age at the beginning of the study. Researchers measured coenzyme Q10 levels during the follow-up period in 65 individuals who had disabling dementia with dementia-related behavioral disturbance or cognitive impairment and in 130 matched control subjects.
Higher serum coenzyme Q10 levels were associated with decreased risk of dementia. The data showed that the subjects with the highest coenzyme Q10 levels had a 77% decreased risk of dementia compared to the subjects with the lowest levels. Similarly, the subjects with the highest coenzyme Q10/total cholesterol ratio had a 79% decreased risk of dementia compared to the subjects with the lowest levels.
The investigators stated, “Serum coenzyme Q10 levels were inversely associated with risk of disabling dementia.”
Reference:
Yamagishi K, et al. Atherosclerosis. 2014;237:400-3.
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