Customer Reviews

The Power of Ubiquinol:The Key to Energy, Vitality, and a Healthy Heart

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As a former college instructor and nutritionist for a dietary supplement manufacturer, I believe this brief overview of a recently released form of CoQ10 to be one of a kind. Well written by Dr. Robert Barry, a well respected biochemist and Director of Scientific Affairs and New Product Development for Kaneka Nutrients, L.P. the world's leading supplier of CoQ10, and currently the only company manufacturing pure, stable ubiquinol. Dr. Barry briefly reviews some of the common diseases associated with the aging process, then goes on to discuss the benefits of CoQ10, and more specifically ubiquinol. Dr. Barry reviews the most recent research on ubiquinol and some of its clinical applications, and then ends with a section of frequently asked questions. Dr. Barry is a well published researcher and writer, both evident from this publication. In this publication he takes what could be difficult science, and makes it easy for the average consumer to understand. Ubiquinol is one of the most important supplements to hit the market in years. CoQ10/ubiquinol would be at the top of my list of dietary supplements that help support optimal health.

Working scientifically with CoQ10 and knowing this area quite well I was disappointed to discover that this overview of ubiquinol was very biased, i.e. written as an advertisement for Kaneka. While many of the sections on the health effects are written quite well and supported with references, some sections (mainly the chapter in which the author describes the differences between ubiquinon and ubiquinol) are a black hole. For instance, it is claimed that as people age their ability to metabolize ubiquinon to ubiquinol declines (no references included). Making such a claim without any scientific proof is totally unacceptable - it is clearly made with the sole intention of promoting the sale of ubiquinol. Furthermore, Dr. Barry describes Kaneka as the company that first launched stable ubiquinol, which was not available on the market before 2006. One must be aware that he is employed by Kaneka - misleading statements such as these should obviously be avoided. Everyone who works in this area knows very well that ubiquinol was being sold on the market quite some years before that (not by Kaneka of course): a ubiquinol supplement from the US market was included in the relative bioavailability study by Miles et al (Nutrition Research, 2002, 22: 919-929).
This is an excellent book for anyone who would like to buy a commercial! However, I do agree with the previous reviewer that either ubiquinon or ubiquinol would be at the top of my list of dietary supplements that help support optimal health.

I have been a licensed Texas Attorney for 40 years, and have been researching CoQ10 as a self-educated educated consumer, natural health advocate, and professional researcher ever since reading a transcript of a dramatic Nov 1997 ABC News Report by Peter Jennings and John McKenzie. This News Report documented and memorialized the case of Gina Ferguson, who seemed much too young to be suffering from and enlarged and weakened heart. Gina was just 24 years old, and was dying. Her cardiologist told her that she had only a ten day life expectancy.

This Report stated that "after her doctors had put her on a variety of powerful medications, they were running out of ideas, and finally suggested something very different. A little known supplement (at the time) called Co-Q-10. Within one month of taking Co-Q-10 her heart was 'measurable improved."

Gina was quoted as saying: "The end result is that I'['m still here. I can be a mother to my child, and I can still be a wife. Co-Q-10, for me, is my lifeline." ... An apparent lifeline in the form of a nutritional supplement.

Gina Ferguson's story is easily found on a Google Search, e.g. See the following excerpts from "An interview with cardiologist Stephen Sinatra, MD" F.A.C.C., F.A.C.N., C.N.S., who is a board-certified cardiologist and a certified bioenergetic psychotherapist. He has more than 25 years of experience in helping patients prevent and reverse heart disease. He also is certified in anti-aging medicine. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and former chief of cardiology at Manchester Memorial Hospital where he was director of medical education for 18 years. Dr. Sinatra is also assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

Part 2: The "Magic" of CoQ-10 By Richard A. Passwater, Ph.D.

SOURCE: [...]

Dr. Passwater: Well, at least there's a good ending. Another dramatic example with a good ending is one that I saw in 1997 on the ABC World News involving the miraculous recovery of a 24-year-old woman in Texas. Reporter John McKenzie was interviewing Gina Ferguson as she was jumping on a trampoline. Here's the transcript of the news story. Ms. Ferguson explained, "I couldn't walk to the bathroom without feeling I had walked a mile. I would have shortness of breath to the point of gasping. The cardiologist they sent me to told me my life expectancy was very short--10 days."

McKenzie added, "Doctors already had put her on a variety of powerful medications. Finally, running out of ideas, they suggested she try something very different--a little known nutritional supplement called coenzyme Q-10. Within one month of taking coenzyme Q-10, her heart was measurably improved."

Ms. Ferguson adds, "The end result is that I'm still here. I can still be a mother to my child and I can still be a wife. Coenzyme Q-10, for me, it's my lifeline."

The news story identifies Texas cardiologist, Dr. Peter Langsjoen, who is among hundreds of researchers who have studied this vitamin-like substance and found the results encouraging, as putting Ms. Ferguson on coenzyme Q-10. The cameras then cut to Dr. Langsjoen who says, "Its effects are so clear. They are not subtle. They are dramatic."

SOURCE: [...]

Meanwhile, I have continued to research, and recently found that Gina Ferguson is now 38.

This relatively new information from Dr. Robert Barry about the ubiquinol form of Co-Q-10 (vs. the Ubiquinone form) is very important to me, and to all Baby Boomers, because it points out that people who are over 40, (I'm now 67) have difficulty absorbing the ubiquinone form of Co-Q-10, while the ubiquinol form is easily absorbed.

The problem is that until recently the ubiquinol form was unstable and not deemed suitable for use. A recent Japanese study makes it clear that that the stability problem has been overcome by scientists at Kaneka Corporation, the world's largest supplier of Co-Q-10.

I have read Scientific Reports stating that Ubiquinol is "too unstable" for production and use. However, that is outdated information that goes back 30 years.
In 2007, a Japanese study was published which made that information obsolete. I've read numerous reports in newsletters and books to this effect. e.g. read
the book, The Power of Kaneka QH.(tm) by Dr. Robert Barry (available on Amazon). The following Q&A information from this book is most informative:

Q: If CoQ10 has been available in supplement form for 30 years, why is ubiquinol only recently available?

A: Since ubiquinol is easily oxidized in the air, it has been difficult to develop a stable supply in a reduced supplement form. However, using advanced technology, scientists at Kaneka Corporation have been able to perfect a stabilization process by which ubiquinol remains in its reduced form outside of the body.

Q: "How do I know which form of CoQ10 is right for me?
A: "For young, healthy individuals, KanekaQ10(tm) should usually be sufficient for supplementation needs. Healthy adults in their 20s and 30s can easily metabolize CoQ10 and convert it into ubiquinol; thus, supplementing with CoQ10 likely will be the most efficient way to raise CoQ10 levels*."

"For individuals who are 40+, KanekaQHä (ubiquinol) is likely more beneficial since the body's ability to produce CoQ10 and convert it into ubiquinol is diminished*. Optimal ubiquinol levels are important to those looking to support cardiovascular, neurological and liver health*. Because KanekaQH(tm) is pre-converted, it is ready for immediate use by the body, making it ideal for those unable to efficiently reduce CoQ10 in the body*"

Ed Johnson

Ed Johnson,J.D., Attorney, Life Enricher,
Natural Health Advocate, and Chairman of The
Advisory Board, American Anti-Cancer Institute
[...]
Former Assistant US Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice
Former Attorney for Brooke Army MC and Wilford Hall MC
Former CEO of a Top 20 San Antonio Law Firm in the 90's

Email: edjohnson@stic.net
Profile: www.EdJohnson.Me
Tel: 210-877-0855

This "book" has 32 pages, not counting references and index. If you know anything about Ubiquinol and CoQ10, you don't need it. I found new material on only 2 pages, which were not particularly useful or adequately explained. Yet in 32 pages, the author found space for 1.5 pages on "What are antioxidants?"

I bought this book because it was published recently, so I hoped it would have info on the newer health benefits, but it doesn't. Save yourself the cost with my summary: CoQ10 is really good for your heart (and maybe some other ailments). Ubiquinol is better absorbed than CoQ10.