CoQ10 has a powerful affect on our lives. It is an antioxidant that is endogenous in our system, thus protecting us from otherwise harmful carcinogens in our system. However, production wanes as we age. And if we don't learn how to best maintain optimum CoQ10 levels, this natural diminishing can lead to several potential health problems, including health and safety issues with our cardiovascular system.
The key is to take responsibility for your health and learn more about what CoQ10 supplementation may be able to do for you. Read on and then discuss CoQ10 with your doctor. You may be surprised at what you discover.
What Is CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q10 is also known as ubiquinone and is a vitamin-like substance, which helps us convert the food we eat (fat, carbohydrates and proteins) into a usable source of energy called Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). CoQ10 aids in this conversion, and in fact is crucial for the conversion to take place. It is present in the mitochondria of every cell of our body, though the amount we have to use gradually lessens, as we grow older. 1
The conversion of ATP creates something called free radicals, which will be discussed later in this article. It is the role of CoQ10 in the conversion of this energy that is so essential to our well-being.
CoQ10 production in our bodies actually peaks at the age of 20, slowly declining with each advancing year. As a result, we have to supplement our natural supply with food or vitamins to keep our optimum levels and help thwart the effects of aging, particularly those related to cardiovascular health.2
What Is A Free Radical?
A free radical is a molecule that has lost an electron and is therefore "unpaired." The "unpaired" molecule "steals" the missing electron from any nearby molecule leading to the creation of more free radicals and initiating a subsequent chain reaction. Two free radicals can terminate their own chain reaction by combining.
Free radicals are an essential component of the oxidation process that is responsible for the production of energy within the body. Most of the free radicals generated during energy production are short-lived and do no harm - their short life is expended in the process of oxidation.3 But if we have too many free radicals in our system, they can become potentially carcinogenic. This is where CoQ10 comes into play. The antioxidant essentially eliminates free radicals, thereby reducing the risk of carcinogenic hazards to our body.
What Can CoQ10 Do For Me?
For couples trying to conceive, CoQ10 may impact the female reproductive system by helping prevent miscarriages, as well as alleviate male infertility by providing extra energy to sperm.4,5
Supplementation with CoQ10 can also dramatically improve skin conditions. Our skin is affected by both oral and topical applications of CoQ10. High supplemental doses are an effective therapy for Psoriasis, as CoQ10 improves the immune function of the skin.6 And, Coenzyme Q10 (applied topically) helps prevent and treat wrinkles.7
CoQ10 is also important to our oral health. It has been shown to help fight gingivitis and is extremely beneficial for the treatment of Periodontal Disease.8,9
In addition, our CoQ10 levels can directly affect our immune system. Studies have shown that persons infected with HIV who are also deficient in Coenzyme Q10 progress more rapidly to full-blown Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) than do persons with optimal CoQ10 levels.10
CoQ10 has also been found to have profound anti-aging properties, especially as it relates to our brain. As we get older, we must question how our brain functionality will fare. Coenzyme Q10 helps slow the brain aging process and aids in preventing neuron damage that leads to Alzheimer's Disease. Further, deficiencies in Coenzyme Q10-dependent enzymes have been implicated in the development of neuronal death that results in Alzheimer's. And reversal of mental function deterioration has been documented in several studies which utilized supplemental Coenzyme Q10, including cases involving patients with genetically-confirmed Alzheimer's Disease.11,12
Additional benefits of CoQ10 supplementation include: reducing high blood pressure, controlling abnormal heart rhythms, preventing atherosclerosis in the arteries (by preventing the oxidation of LDL Cholesterol), and alleviating Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).13,14 It has also been known to improve the condition of 91% of heart attack patients within 30 days of initial Coenzyme Q10 supplementation, and is highly beneficial for persons about to undergo heart surgery.15,16
How Much Do We Take?
The total human body content of CoQ10 has been estimated to be 500-1,500 mg. At the age of 21 the average circulating CoQ10 has dropped to 1400 mg. Much of the body's CoQ10 is produced within the liver, however dietary supplementation is an absolute must past the age of 35. The usual therapeutic dosage for otherwise healthy people is 50-150 mg. of Coenzyme Q10 per day, or more precisely, 2 mg. of CoQ10 per kg. of body weight.17
Notes
1 Kent, S., "The multiple health benefits of coenzyme Q10," Life Extension, 2(2), 1996.
2 Sinatra S., The Coenzyme Q10 Phenomenon, New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1998, pp. 127-129.
3 Ames, B., et al., " Oxidants, antioxidants, and the degenerative diseases of aging," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 90:7915-7922, 1993.
4 Noia, G., et al., "Coenzyme Q10 in pregnancy," Fetal Diagn Ther, 11(4):264-270, 1996.
5 "The effect of coenzyme Q10 on sperm motility," Mol Aspects Med, 18(Supplement):S213-S219, 1997.
6 "'Inside' information about CoQ10," Life Extension, 3(3):25-26, 1997.
7 Hoppe, U., "Coenzyme Q10: a cutaneous antioxidant and energizer," First Conference of the International Coenzyme Q10 Association.
8 Firshein, R., The Nutraceutical Revolution: 20 Cutting-Edge Nutrients to Help You Design Your Own Perfect Whole-Life Program, Riverhead Books via Penguin Putnam Inc., New York, USA, 1998:71.
9 Hanioka, T., et al., "Effect of topical applications of coenzyme Q10 on adult periodontitis," Mol Aspects Med, 15(Suppl.):S241-S248, 1994.
10 Folkers, K., et al., "Biochemical deficiencies of Coenzyme Q10 in HIV-infection and exploratory treatment," Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 153(2):888-896, 1988.
11 "Coenzyme Q10: It's in your thoughts," Life Extension, 5(1):17-18, 1999.
12 "How CoQ10 protects brain cells," Life Extension, 7(10), 2001.
13 Hanaki, Y., et al., "Coenzyme Q10 and coronary artery disease," Clin Investig, 71:S112-S115, 1993.
14 Baggio, E., et al., "Italian multicenter study on the safety and efficacy of coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive therapy in heart failure," CoQ10 Drug Surveillance Investigators, Mol Aspects Med, 15(Supplement):S287-S294, 1994. 15 Mortensen, S. A., et al., "Long term coenzyme Q10 therapy: a major advance in the management of resistant myocardial failure," Drugs Exp Clin Res, 11(8):581-593, 1985.
16 Bitomsky, M., "Making old hearts young again," Life Extension, 5(1):12-15, 1999.
Please Note: As always, it's essential that you check with your healthcare professional before making any changes in your daily health regimen.
About the Author
Dr. Robyn L. Finseth is a practicing Chiropractic Physician in the state of Oregon. She has a Master's degree in Counseling/Psychology and uses both of these degrees in her natural healthcare practice. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, of which her credits include being published in an internationally recognized chiropractic textbook.
My curse is my gift. My nightmares, deep sensitivity, and emotional instability gives the best (and most uncomfortable) inspirations I could ever have. For me, art is passion - and visions are the mirror, which show my feelings and connect me with the rest of the world. Read More...
Subscribe to this comment's feed
