Coenzyme Q10, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Vitamin E May Benefit Diabetics With Chronic Complications

Supplementation With Coenzyme Q10, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Vitamin E May Benefit Diabetics With Chronic Complications

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Reference: “Complementary therapy in diabetic patients with chronic complications: a pilot study,” Palacka P, Gvozdjakova A, et al, Bratisl Lek Listy, 2010; 111(4): 205-11. (Address: Comenius University, Medical Faculty, Pharmacobiochemical Laboratory of 3rd Medical Clinic, Bratislava, Slovakia. E-mail: pal_patrick@yahoo.com ).

Summary: In a pilot study involving 59 diabetic patients with chronic complications, results indicate that combined supplementation with coenzyme Q10, alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E, along with polarized light (PL) therapy may exert beneficial effects. The patients were randomized to 1 of 3 groups for 3 months – 1) PL group (n = 19): PL was applied to neuropathic ulcers of diabetic foot twice daily; 2) Antioxidant group (n=20): received daily supplementation with 60 mg of hydrosoluble CoQ10, 100 mg of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and 200 mg of vitamin E; 3) PL+Antioxidant (n=20): received both PL and antioxidants.

At intervention end, decrease in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was found in the PL group, improvement in echocardiographic parameters was found in the antioxidant group, and decrease in LDH activity and improvement in heart left ventricular function was observed in the PL+antioxidant group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, “Thus the data show that support ive therapy with PL along with the antioxidants hydrosoluble CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin E is an effective way of controlling the complications of type 2 diabetes.”