CoQ10 For All Of Us

For as long as I can remember, I’ve seen information here and there about CoQ10. I can’t pass the vitamin section at the local drug store without seeing shelves full of CoQ10 bottles. I’ve done a lot of research on CoQ10 because curiosity got the better of me.

I have read article after article about CoQ10 and, being honest with you, I got lost in the nuts and bolts; the bio-chemistry and the complexity of the science left me in a daze. Just in case there are others out there, like me, who suffer from information overload, I’ve summarized what I think you should know about CoQ10: 1. You need to take CoQ10 supplements if you are over 40. 2. You need to take CoQ10 if you want your heart to stay healthy. 3. If you have high cholesterol you should consider taking a CoQ10 supplement. And 4. You should take CoQ10 supplements if you are taking statin drugs that lower your cholesterol. Let me explain why…

What is CoQ10? Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, is a powerful antioxidant. CoQ10 is found in all food but its efficacy diminishes when cooked. CoQ10 is primarily found in rice bran (wild rice is ideal), wheat germ and soy beans. The amount of CoQ10 that our bodies metabolize declines with age – most people don’t get enough CoQ10.

Let’s take a closer look into CoQ10: Coenzymes combine in the body with other enzymes to form active enzyme systems. These enzyme systems are involved in the breakdown of proteins which, in turn, feeds, fuels, repairs and maintains our healthy bodies.

CoQ10 can supply or remove oxygen from biologically active molecules. CoQ10 is an integral part in the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the basic energy molecules of the cell. in other words, all of our energy comes from ATP.

Our bodies could not survive without CoQ10 because it is a necessary part of ATP synthesis. Research tells us that health problems begin to flourish once CoQ10 levels drop below 25% deficiency. Health problems include: Heart disease, inefficient immune systems, lack of energy and weight gain. Lack of CoQ10 may also be a contributing factor to the aging process.

How does CoQ10 help prevent heart disease? CoQ10 is best known for its use as an adjuvant therapy in cases of heart disease, both in preventative and palliative scenarios.

The reason why CoQ10 is so beneficial to the heart is because CoQ10 possesses the ability to protect the heart during periods of oxygen deprivation.

In Europe, physicians typically prescribe CoQ10 and heart medication hand-in-hand.

Does CoQ10 help lower cholesterol? Yes, if you have high LDL “bad” cholesterol, you should know that CoQ10 helps lower your cholesterol level.

You should be aware that cholesterol and CoQ10 are metabolized in the same way. Cholesterol-lowering medication, more specifically, statin drugs, reduce both you cholesterol AND your CoQ10 levels. (which is not good). One would hope that physicians always prescribe CoQ10 supplements whenever they prescribe statin drugs.

Why should I take CoQ10? Because CoQ10…

- Decreases your risk of heart disease and enhances the effectiveness of blood pressure medication

- Enhances your immune system

- Increases you energy level and helps to reduce fatigue

- Reduces the occurrence of migraine headaches

- Counteracts cholesterol drugs that reduce CoQ10 levels in the body

- Helps to address symptoms of muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis

- When combined with vitamin E, CoQ10 protects the liver against toxicity

- Protects your LDL cholesterol from oxidation and formation of plaque

- Reduces free radical cellular damage

- May be useful as an adjunct treatment in certain types of cancer

Who should CoQ10 supplements? Anyone who is looking to supplement their diet with a powerful antioxidant should consider taking a CoQ10 supplement. You should take CoQ10 if you…

- Are over 40 years old. CoQ10 levels decline with age

- Are concerned about your overall cardiovascular health

- Have been diagnosed with heart disease or stroke

- Are taking drugs that are used to reduce cholesterol

- Are experiencing low energy

- Have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease

How much CoQ10 should I take? CoQ10 is typically effective in the range of 100-300 mg per day. CoQ10 should always be taken with food as this will increase its absorption rate.

Are all CoQ10 supplements the same? No they’re not. What I find interesting about the different types of CoQ10 is that some forms of CoQ10 can be absorbed and broken down by our bodies more effectively than others. It’s important to take a highly absorbable form of CoQ10.

I take and I recommend Life Extension Foundation’s Super Ubiquinol CoQ10 supplement. Life Extension Foundation is a non-profit research company that is dedicated to providing scientific information on anti-aging therapies. They supply high quality nutritional supplements, minerals, herbs, hormones and vitamins. Their CoQ10 supplement uses a patented delivery system that enhances CoQ10 levels by 100% over other forms of CoQ10.

Sources

Aejmelaeus, R., T. Mesa-Ketela, et al. (1997). “Ubiquinol-10 and total peroxyl radical trapping capacity of LDL lipoproteins during aging

Berman, M., A. Erman, et al. (2004) “Coenzyme Q10 in patients with end-stage heart failure awaiting cardiac transplantation.

Bhagavan, H. N. and R. K. Chopra (2006). “Coenzyme Q10: absorption, tissue uptake, metabolism and pharmacokinetics.” Free Radic Res 40(5): 445-53.

Lieberman, A., K. Lyons, et al. (2005). “Statins, cholesterol, Co-enzyme Q10, and Parkinson’s disease.” Parkinsonism Relat Disord 11(2): 81-4.

Mancini, A., D. Milardi, et al. (2005), “Seminal antioxidants in humans: preoperative and postoperative evaluation of coenzyme Q10 in varicocele patients.” Horm Metab Res 37(7)