Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been getting some attention lately, off the back of a Boots marketing campaign. David Colquhoun has described Boots’ marketing of these pills as “as bad a bit of nutribollocks as I’ve ever seen”, while Ben Goldacre has also criticised the way in which CoQ10 is marketed as a solution to low energy levels. Interestingly, though, Holford was ahead of the curve here: in 1988 his book The Energy Equation proudly proclaimed on the cover that it was “INTRODUCING CO-ENZYME Q”.
Holford is still involved in marketing CoQ10: one can now buy CoQ10 (and Carnitine) Biocare pills with Holford’s face on the bottle (see Coracle’s blog for a critical assessment of Holford’s CoQ10 recommendations). Neutrahealth PLC (who own Biocare) have stated that “CoQ10 expected to perform well in 2008 with year to date sales growth of 35%”.
Patrick Holford’s CV [PDF] states that he “is a pioneer in new approaches to health and nutrition”. Here at HolfordWatch, we would have to agree. However, whether those approaches work or not is another question.
Did someone say CoQ10?
Dammit, I was there first before these jonny-come-latelies Goldacre and Colquhoun *shakes fist*
Kudos, Coracle -perhaps I won’t bother with CoQ10!!
I was a bit tempted since I have worked on both mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative stress over the years. Perhaps if I go and do some cells-in-a-dish experiments with CoQ10 I will be able to publish them in Patrick’s favourite Alt-organ the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine (aka “J Nutri-twaddle”)
BTW, if you never got the Marcoff Q10 / statinopathy review in Am J Cardiol, and are still interested, let me know.
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Thanks Coracle – interesting post, and I’ve added a link into the above.
Hmm…
Interesting talk…
OK!!!!
Today David Colquhoun explained me his point of view personally. I make nothing against him longer and I withdraw my words against David Colquhoun.
Dear Holfordwatch.
I ask you delete my comment. David has vindicated that he is worthy to be Professor. He showed that he is real Scotchman ;)
PS. This statement doesn’t concern of Ben Goldacre. He hasn’t proved anything still. However, I have no claim, because I am not interested in him at all. Delete my comment in whole.
Oh! More interesting! ;)
It seems Colquhon is my future client… ;)
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