Larsen HR
Intl J of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: 16:2:11-13 (1998)
The body can synthesize coenzyme QlO, and it is also found in several dietary sources, notably organ meats. The level of CoQ10 in human organs peaks around the age of 20 years and then declines fairly rapidly. The decrease in CoQ10 concentration in the heart is particularly significant with a 77-year-old person having 57 per cent less CoQ10 in the heart muscle than a 20-year-old.
Some experts involved in CoQ10 research believe that many people, especially older people and people engaging in vigorous exercise, may be deficient in CoQ10 and may benefit from supplementation. The recommended daily dosage for health maintenance is 30 mg; however, considerably higher amounts are required in the treatment of the various diseases for which supplementation has been found beneficial.
The safety of CoQ10, however, has not been established in pregnancy and lactation, so caution is advised here until more data becomes available.