Results of a new clinical trial may provide a new strategy for relieving fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis patients.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system that often includes fatigue and depression. When fatigue and depression is not treated a significant decrease in quality of life can occur.
Recently, a clinical trial testing coenzyme q10 for depression in bipolar adults was reported to improve depression.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant that are body makes naturally to help cells function properly. Certain organs have higher concentrations including the hear, liver, kidneys and pancreas.
Coenzyme q10 has been studied extensively in clinical trials for safety and the evidence suggests it is very safe.
Other names for CoQ10 include ubiquinone, ubidecarenone, and Coenzyme Q10.
A recent clinical trial published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience tested coenzyme Q10 for relieving fatigue and depression in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Here is more research about plant extracts and phytochemicals for inflammation.
Here are the study details with Coenzyme Q10 in Multiple sclerosis patients.
– Study design: Double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical trial
– 45 human patients were involved in the study (22 received CoQ10 and 23 received placebo)
– Patients received 500 mg per day of coenzyme q10 or placebo for 12 weeks.
Here is more research about plant extracts and phytochemicals for inflammation.
– Patients were evaluated using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
Here are the main results
– CoQ10 improved FSS from a score of 43.1 to 33
– CoQ10 improved BDI from 14.3 to 10.27
– Placebo decreased FSS from a score of 41.5 to 45
– Placebo decreased BDI from a score of 17.8 to 20.4
Here is more research about plant extracts and phytochemicals for inflammation.
Here are some comments by the authors
Researchers have investigated the anti-fatigue effect of CoQ10 with different doses in various kind of fatigue. In agreement with our study, daily consumption of CoQ10 (300 mg) improved fatigue sensation and physical performance during fatigue-inducing work load trials. However, dose of 100 mg/day did not have any effect on fatigue.
And
Overall, CoQ10 supplementation (500 mg/day) can improve depression and fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients. Larger and long-term follow-up studies would be necessary to confirm protective effects of CoQ10 against fatigue and depression.
Take away message:
Treating fatigue and depression in patients with multiple sclerosis is an important tool for improving quality of life. The results of this clinical trial suggest that adequate doses of coenzyme Q10 could reduce inflammation and improve antioxidant activity.
According to the researchers as well as other clinical trials doses of coenzyme q10 may need to be 500 mg per day for up to 12 weeks to see results. The length of time to see results is similar to prescription anti-depressants.
In regard to safety, clinical trials have tested doses of coenzyme q10 (CoQ10) as high as 3,000 mg daily with no reported adverse effects.
Reference:
Coenzyme Q10 as a treatment for fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trial. Nutr Neurosci. 2016; Volume 19 (Issue 3):138-43.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Plant Medicine
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