Research Brief
Two studies recently published in Neuroendocrinology Letters suggest underlying factors of the cardiovascular irregularities some research has linked to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS).
The first looked at CoQ10 levels between 58 people with ME/CFS and 22 healthy people. It was significantly low in those with ME/CFS and was a predictor of how severe symptoms were, especially concentration and memory problems (brain fog.)
Other research has suggested that low CoQ10 is a predictor of chronic heart failure (CHF), and researchers say this could help explain the link between ME/CFS and CHF. A 2006 study indicated that people with both ME/CFS and CHF die an average of 25 years earlier than people with just CHF.
Researchers suggest CoQ10 supplementation for those with ME/CFS, and they add that since statins (cholesterol drugs) lower CoQ10, people with ME/CFS shouldn't take statins without CoQ10 supplementation.
Inflammation, Oxidative & Nitrosative Stress Study
Following up on the 2006 study mentioned above, researchers reviewed available literature looking for a possible explanation of earlier death due to CHF (mean age 59 for ME/CFS, age 83 for others.)
Researchers identified 6 possible contributing factors. (I've kept this list as simple as possible; those well versed in medical terminology can click on the heading above for more in-depth information.)
- Effects of chronic low grade inflammation
- Increased oxidative and nitrosative stress
- Low levels of antioxidants CoQ10, zinc and DHEA-sulphate
- Spread of bacteria due to leaky gut
- Low omega-3 fatty acids, high omega-6 and saturated fat
- Viral and bacterial infections and psychological stressors (This is the researchers' grouping, not mine.)
Researchers conclude that these abnormalities may increase the risk of heart problems in people with ME/CFS.
Learn more or join the conversation!
- Getting Started With Supplements
- CoQ10: Effects, Side Effects, Dosages & More
- Fight Inflammation With Your Diet
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Little experience at leaving comment, don;t know what to put in URL box above.
Am commenting about Adrienne’s info about connection bet. CoQ10 and Heart ds.
I’ve had CFIDS since 1992. Dx’d in Aug 1994, day before my 69 y/0 mom had her first heart attack. She ended up having 5 by-passes and a valve replaced wnl the next two weeks. Since then has had 2 moreby-passes. In 2002 my sis (11 months older than me) had two stents put in after her first heart attack then 5 days later one of the stents collapsed and she ended up with implanted pacemaker and defibrillator. SO-O-O needless to say I continue to watch my heart health. Have/had been taking CoQ10 since ??1998/9?? b/c of CFIDS. Feel that along with mostly heart healthy diet have kept me safe. This summer did go to a cardiologist for a full prophylactic work up. Everything looks fine, thank goodness!
NOW to my quandry!! Since beginning og October have been helping my 88 y/o aunt (no children of her own) and mid-Oct placed her in nursing home for diabetes mgmt. Have ben checking on her ad going 10 miles in opposite direction to check on her house/etc, so-o-o have been eating first meal of day on road and therefore forgetting to take all morning supplements (flax oil cap, CoQ10, multivitamin/mineral, and extra vit. Bs). Kept saying I need to move that pill holder to by bed and try to take mid-day but haven’t done.
THEN in mid-Dec saw retinologst (annual check up for retinitis pigmentosa, dxd Dec 2001). For the first time in eight years there are signs of very slight improvement in health of only good eye left! I have been debating w/myselfSHOULD I RESUME THE MORNING SUPPLEMENTS.
I guess it comes down to protecting best corrected vision of 20/25 in only good eye, or protecting heart. Right now strongly leaning to protecting vision b/c I live alone.
My family MD is over-all good about CFIDS (he has FMS) mgmt but flip-flops around on supplements. So I pretty much research for myself and go from there. I always tell any MD all RXs, OTCs and supplements that I take. Most of them never comment one way or the other.
Any experiences or references would be appreciated. SUDDENLY I just realized I may should have put this on forum but do not know how to move. And just do not have energy to re-type all above. I think will go to forum and post short note for help under title CoQ10 – heart vs eyes. and I will check here as well a forum for any input. Thanks to any help.
Hi Charley,
I think you are where you want and where you should be, unless I am also mistaken (Please, Adrienne, or anyone I gladly get info how to improve!
)
I was already shocked before I read this, since in certain blogs, etc. the heart connection has been around. I got to them only lately.
It seems it gets more serious each week, or better said, we learn each week more about how serious it is! — But then, what did we expect? It’s not that our little toe hurts a little….
When knowledge is certain, then it is always good to know! So Adrienne, thank you for informing so many people so well!!
We def. should get more and more informed and we have no choice as to take the heart connection very seriously.
There are ways to do that, so this is good information!
Myself, too, I have to read myself into this literature.
It again confirms the suble but very real dangers of infections, of chronic or recurrent infections!
I mean “danger” in the long run….so we don’t need to panic, but should take this very seriously!
We will get much information this year!
And while we longed for getting it, we should prepare ourselves for serious information, nothing deadly, but probably more serious than we thought or imagined.
At the same time, this will bring us closer to treatment, to getting better and to take things into our own hands.
I would recommend some “Emotional Resilience Training”.
I totally made that “term” up and everyone reacts differently, and as I said, the info also comes with all those different treatment possiblities!!
2010 sounds “straight and clear” – and certainly will clear up many if not all questions about our illness.
Now that is something to be very excited and grateful about!
Wishing all a good New Year!
And together we can soak up all coming explanations!
It will be better! Overall!
Hi Adrienne, I have written on my site several times about the research that has shown cardiomyopathy and heart-related problems in CFS. I talked with a cardiologist, had all of the extensive scans done, wore a halter monitor, and nothing was found in my case. It was suggested by another doctor that I should have worn the halter monitor for more than 24 hours but the heart doc. wouldn’t approve it for that. It’s scary to think that heart failure may be part of CFS. That is definitely one thing I don’t want to have to face.
Being a sufferer of CFS now for almost a decade – I can say that the heart comes into play with this disease. To me it seems to attack all my vital organs off and on on a cyclical basis. However when I get the pains over the heart area it’s the most worrisome.
What is one to do? When I sit at the VA waiting for my appt it has posters all over the place saying if you experience chest pain/discomfort you need to see a doctor immediately. Well if I went to the ER everytime I had chest pain I would then without a doubt be called a nut that is creating this in his brain.
My chest pains I describe as is your heart is a fist – and it seems to clench and release, clench and release, and typically it doesn’t last very long.
I’ve had my heart checked out and they couldn’t find any abnormalities. But when the pain comes it’s always over the same area. As well I know it’s just part of what this debilitating disease does – attacks my vital organs – at least in my case.
Thanks for important topic