Garlic, CoQ10 Combo Helps Firefighters' Hearts

CHICAGOA combination of Kyolic aged garlic extract and coenzyme Q10 significantly reduced several key risk factors that contribute to sudden cardiac death in firefighters, according to new findings presented at the American College of Cardiologys (ACC's) symposium.

The year-long double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, which was conducted at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, involved 65 firefighters with established cardiovascular disease (CVD). Each of the participants was evaluated prior to treatment and again after one year using Cardiac CT, a 3-D imaging technique that measures plaque buildup in the arteries. Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were also determined.

The firefighters were divided into two treatment groups: the first group was given four capsules/d of Kyolic CoQ10 (from Wakunaga of America). Each Kyolic CoQ10 capsule contained 300 mg of kyolic aged garlic extract and 30 mg of CoQ10. The remaining firefighters received four identical capsules containing a placebo.

After 12 months, the UCLA researchers, led by Matthew Budoff, M.D., found the Kyolic CoQ10 group had significant reductions in the progression of coronary artery calcification, as well as in the markers for inflammation and oxidative stress that contribute to cardiovascular disease. Specifically, Kyolic CoQ10 was associated with a four-fold decrease in the progression of arterial calcification and a seven-fold reduction in the inflammatory biomarker lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2). Both calcification and inflammation are hidden risk factors for heart attack and stroke. 

Earlier studies by Budoffs team showed Kyolic aged garlic extract, combined with other nutrients, improved oxidative biomarkers and vascular function, and a previous study from this year reported Kyolic aged garlic extract enhanced immune cell function and reduced the severity of colds and flu.