Birth Control Pill Lowers CoEnzyme Q10 and Vitamin E Levels
 The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology recently published a study conducted at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine that clearly indicates the use of Oral Contraceptives significantly decreases serum (blood) levels of CoEnzyme Q10 and alpha tocopherol, the most biologically active form of vitamin E.
The cross-sectional study was conducted on 55 pre-menopausal women (average age of 33) with regular menstrual cycles. The participants where divided into 3 groups. In one group non-fasting serum samples were taken during follicular phase (days 8 to 11) and luteal phases (days 18 to 22) of the same menstrual cycles. In the remaining two groups, divided between oral contraceptive users and non-oral contraceptive users, blood samples where taken randomly through out the womens' menstrual cycle. Tests conducted on the blood samples using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed 37% lower serum CoEnzyme Q10 levels and 24% lower serum vitamin E levels in oral contraceptive users.
These results clearly demonstrate that the use of oral contraceptives significantly lowered serum levels of coenzyme Q10 and alpha-tocopherol, when compared with non-oral contraceptive users. The study authors stated that "if our findings are confirmed by larger studies, women who receive oral contraceptives may be considered for coenzyme Q10 and/or alpha-tocpherol supplementation."1
1. Palan, P. R., A. T. Magneson, et al. (2006). "Effects of menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use on serum levels of lipid-soluble antioxidants." Am J Obstet Gynecol 194(5): e35-8.
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