Selenium and Coenzyme Q10 Supplements Improve Heart Health in Elderly Individuals, Study Finds

Carlos Martinez Sagasta (Medium) 

Findings suggest a potential link between improved redox status and reduced cardiovascular mortality

According to a previous Swedish researchers's study, combining CoQ10 and selenium significantly decreased hospital stays and cut the risk of cardiovascular mortality by 49%. An echocardiography revealed that those taking the CoQ10 and selenium supplement had considerably higher heart function scores than those receiving the placebo.

Also, supplementation with selenium and coenzyme Q10 for 42 months protected telomeres in an elderly population with low selenium levels. Those with shorter telomeres at 42 months had a higher risk of cardiovascular death during the six-year follow-up. Less telomere shortening was associated with longer survival.

In a recent study published in the Free Radical Biology and Medicine, researchers have uncovered promising results regarding the use of selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplements in improving heart health among elderly individuals. 

The study sheds light on the potential benefits of these supplements in reducing the risk of cardiovascular mortality.

The research team focused on a key biomarker called serum sulfhydryl groups (R–SH), also known as free thiols, which serve as an indicator of the body's overall redox status. 

When oxidative stress occurs - an imbalance between harmful reactive species and protective antioxidants - serum R–SH levels tend to decrease, potentially contributing to cardiovascular problems.

The trial involved 434 community-dwelling elderly. One group received daily supplements of selenium yeast (200 μg) and coenzyme Q10 (200 mg), while the other group received a placebo. 

The levels of serum R–SH were measured and taken at the beginning of the study and again after 48 months of supplementation.

The findings of the study were striking. After the 48-month intervention period, the participants who received the combined selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplements demonstrated a significant increase in their serum R–SH levels compared to those who received the placebo. 

This increase indicates an improvement in the body's redox status and a reduction in systemic oxidative stress.

Furthermore, the researchers followed the participants for a median period of 10 years to observe their cardiovascular outcomes. 

They discovered a compelling association between baseline levels of serum R–SH and the risk of cardiovascular mortality. 

The implications of these findings are noteworthy, as they suggest that supplementing with selenium and coenzyme Q10 could be a viable approach to improve heart health and potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality in elderly individuals. 

However, it is important to note that the study involved elderly individuals with low levels of selenium, and further research is needed to confirm the generalizability of these results to other populations.

In conclusion, this groundbreaking study underscores the potential benefits of selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation in enhancing the redox status and reducing systemic oxidative stress. 

By increasing serum R–SH levels, these supplements may play a crucial role in protecting against cardiovascular mortality in older adults. 

As further research unfolds, these findings may open new avenues for preventive strategies and interventions targeting heart health in aging populations.

Reference: [Link to the original study: Selenium and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Elderly Community-Dwelling Individuals: Effects on Serum Sulfhydryl Concentrations, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2023, Volume 141, Issue 6, Pages 405–411]