NMU 319 – CoQ10 and Hawthorn Supplementation Should be Included in High Blood Pressure Management

Nutrition/Natural Medicine Update No 319 (May 1, 2024)

With Dr. James Meschino

Topic: CoQ10 and Hawthorn Supplementation Should be Included in High Blood Pressure Management

Source: Arch Med Sci (2010) and Antioxidants (2021)

Nearly half of adults have high blood pressure (a systolic blood pressure above 130 mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg, or are taking high blood pressure medication – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/5/755 . In recent years we have learned that free radical damage to the blood vessel wall is a consistent finding in patients with high blood pressure (hypertension). Free radicals contribute to high blood pressure in several ways but especially by inhibiting the synthesis and release of nitric oxide, which is needed to dilate blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily through our arteries and other blood vessels. So, in the presence of increased free radicals blood vessels become more rigid, which raises the resistance to blood flow in our arteries (raising diastolic pressure) and forces the heart muscle to contract with more force, which raises the systolic blood pressure. Clinical studies have shown that when patients with high blood pressure take a Coenzyme Q10 supplement each day (i.e., 60 mg, twice daily) that free radical markers decrease, and antioxidant defences increase significantly. This is because Coenzyme Q10 quenches and removes free radicals and supports the synthesis of other antioxidants, as well as promoting nitric oxide production.

In a 2010 study with elderly patients who were taking a diuretic drug for high blood pressure, CoQ10 supplementation significantly reduced free radical generation and improved antioxidant defences. The researchers concluded that CoQ10 should be added as complementary treatment in virtually all cases of high blood pressure. Remember that CoQ10 synthesis in the body declines as we age, which makes us more prone to high blood pressure, and that the herb Hawthorn contains unique flavonoids that also help increase nitric oxide production and lower blood pressure. In fact, the Mount Sinai website states the following, “Hawthorn is used to help protect against heart disease and help control high blood pressure and higher cholesterol. Both animal and human studies suggest hawthorn increases artery blood flow, improves circulation, and lowers blood pressure”. (https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/hawthorn#:~:text=Medicinal%20Uses%20and%20Indications,circulation%2C%20and%20lowers%20blood%20pressure.)

My recommendation has been that most people over the age of 40 or 45 would benefit from a supplement containing CoQ10 and Hawthorn. This combination provides various benefits to the heart and cardiovascular system, in general. The CoQ10 also benefits brain energy production and antioxidant defences, as well as supporting immune cell function. For individuals with high blood pressure, many experts agree that CoQ10 (and/or Hawthorn) supplementation should be added to the treatment protocol to help further reduce blood pressure readings and improve blood vessel wall function.

I have included the references for this information in the text below.

References:

Kedziora-Kormatowska K et al. Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on activities of selected antioxidative enzymes and lipid peroxidation in hypertensive patients treated with indapamide. A pilot study. Arch Med Sci. 2010,6(4): 513-518. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3284064/

Rabanal-Ruiz et al. The use of coenzyme Q10 in cardiovascular disease. Antioxidants. 2021,10(5): 755. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/5/755

Eat Smart, Live Well, Look Great,
Dr. Meschino