Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is a vitamin-like substance that resembles vitamin E, but which may be an even more powerful antioxidant.  It is also called ubiquinone.  There are ten common coenzyme Qs, but coenzyme Q₁₀ is the this only one found in human tissue.  Coenzyme Q₁₀ declines with age and should be supplemented in the diet.  It plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of the immune system and in the aging process.  The New England Institute reports that coenzyme Q alone is effective in reducing mortality in experimental animals afflicted with tumors and leukemia.  Clinical tests are being used along with chemotherapy to reduce the side effects of the drugs.

In Japan, it is used in the treatment of heart disease and high blood pressure, and is also used to enhance the immune system.  Research has revealed that use of coenzyme Q₁₀ benefits allergies, asthma, and respiratory disease, and it is used to treat the brain for anomalies of mental function such as those associated with schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.  It is also beneficial in aging, obesity, candidiasis, multiple sclerosis, periodontal disease, and diabetes.  AIDS is a primary target for research on coenzyme Q₁₀ because of its immense benefits to the immune system.  Early research in Japan has shown coenzyme Q₁₀ to protect the stomach lining and duodenum.  It may help heal duodenal ulcers.  Coenzyme Q₁₀ has the ability to counter histamine and is valuable to allergy and asthma sufferers.  The use of coenzyme Q₁₀ is a major step forward in the prevention and control of cancer.

Statin drugs like Lipitor®, Zocor®, Crestor®, Pravachol®, and Vytorin® can block an enzyme involved in making cholesterol and CoQ10.  Researches found that microscopic muscle damage can occur within a week of taking these drugs.  It was found that CoQ10 can protect against side effects of muscle pain, fatigue, nerve pain and difficulty breathing.  The drug company Merck was granted two patents for combining the statin drug Zocor® with CoQ10.