LETTER TO THE EDITOR – APRIL 1999

Enjoyed your article on CoQ10/ubiquinone supplementation. One part of the article talks about how topical CoQ10 application (with soya oil) can decrease the size of periodontal pockets. It cites 8 or so studies. Would you happen to know which of those studies specifically talks about the benefits of topical CoQ10 application on gum tissues?

Tara S., USA

Editor: I am glad you found my article on coenzyme Q10 to be of interest. Topical application of CoQ10 to periodontal pockets is described in some detail in reference 2 (Littarru et al.), but the main paper on the subject is reference 34 (Hanioka et al.). The use of CoQ10 topically is relatively new. Most of the research (since 1971) has been done on oral supplementation. Several studies have shown that as little as 30 mg CoQ10 taken twice daily after meals will effectively cure adult periodontitis in most cases.