Coenzyme Q10 (also known as ubiquinone, but most widely referred to as CoQ10) is a substance that can be found in every cell of the body, where it is used to produce the large amounts of energy needed for healthy cell growth, repair after damage, and maintenance.
CoQ10 also functions as a powerful antioxidant, which protects the cells and the entire body from damage caused by harmful molecules.
Not only does it help keep the cells of the body healthy and in good condition, CoQ10 helps to keep the entire body functioning by helping to supply necessary energy to hard working organs. CoQ10 functions as a sort of catalyst, jump starting energy production within cells. The body then uses the generated energy for a host of vital processes, including smooth and striated muscle contraction and digestion.
Scientists have also discovered that CoQ10 is found in especially high concentrations in organs that require a lot of energy, such as the heart. Without CoQ10, energy production and therefore organ function would screech to a halt.
Researchers first discovered and named Coenzyme Q10 in 1957 while they were examining how the cell produces energy. Almost fifty years later, scientists are still finding new and better uses for the important substance, and have begun to discover evidence that treating patients with CoQ10 supplements may actually assist in the prevention and treatment of such devastating illnesses as heart disease and cancer.
CoQ10 can help prevent heart disease by first using its antioxidant power to prevent cholesterol from being attacked by free radicals in the body, freeing up precious reserves of vitamin E for other uses by the body. In this way, the coenzyme has also been found to work in conjunction with vitamin E to prevent the damage to arteries caused by cholesterol that leads to heart disease.
Also, because of its original purpose of generating energy for the heart, some researchers are beginning to believe that CoQ10 can be used as a drug to boost failing organs, especially the heart.
As important as CoQ10 is to the proper function of virtually every part of the body - skin, muscles, organs, etc. - you might be surprised to find out that some of the most popular prescription drugs for the reduction of cholesterol in the body are actually responsible for depleting the body's reserves of CoQ10 on an alarming level.
Statin drugs, such as Lipitor, Zetia and Crestor, widely prescribed to assist patients with high cholesterol bring their levels back to a normal range, have been found in several studies to decrease the level of naturally produced CoQ10 and even deplete the amount held in reserve by the cells in case of emergencies.
Thankfully, a CoQ10 deficiency caused by statin drugs is completely preventable and ultimately reversible by supplementing the patient with CoQ10 from outside sources. Clinical trials have shown that supplementation of CoQ10 also seems to have no adverse impact on the cholesterol lowering or anti-inflammatory properties of the statin drugs.
So, if it is a naturally occurring compound in the body, you may be wondering how a person would go about supplementing it in their system. Aside from taking commercially prepared supplements, CoQ10 is naturally present in small amounts in a wide variety of foods that many people enjoy every day, such as beef, peanuts, mackerel and sardines. It is also found in high concentrations in organ meats such as heart, liver, and kidney, but many people prefer to take a pill or gelcap supplement rather than eat these items.
Just like with any other type of medication or supplement, different people respond differently to treatment and supplementation and the body's response to additional CoQ10 in the system can take time. Don't be surprised if you don't see results right away, as it may take more than eight weeks to see some benefit from therapy. Most people take about 150 to 300 mg per day for supplementation of organ function, but only about 10-30 mg per day is required for anti-aging benefits.
Another option is a comprehensive supplement that helps the body naturally produce more CoQ10. This is perhaps the best way to ensure that your body has the CoQ10 it needs to function properly, as many individual Coenzyme Q10 supplements are subpar.
Learn more about the benefits of CoQ10 and other important nutrients and discover how you can improve your health today.
David Bloom is an avid health enthusiast and editor of several health sites, including healthy heart guide and healthy heart guide. He also contributes to healthy heart guide, a site dedicated to exercise and physical fitness.
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..Antioxidants . . . The Nutrients Boost The Immune System... Read More
Glyconutrients- the latest development in the health industry. What are... Read More
April 14,2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal district... Read More
Once again the "wisdom" of the FDA and the supplement... Read More
I recently heard of an older couple that eats salmon... Read More
When looking for health care supplements Texas residents can enjoy... Read More
ImmunPlex? is an undenatured whey protein isolate that contains many... Read More
There is a huge market when it comes to vitamins.... Read More
HGH is produced naturally, in everyone, by the pituitary gland.... Read More
Researchers working at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center state that... Read More
Vitamin B3 is one of the vitamins that make up... Read More
1. Do not refrigerate vegetables and fruits (raw and uncut)... Read More
One of the most apparent influences modern times has brought... Read More
Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid was first isolated from lemons... Read More
Nitric oxide is a free form gas produced by the... Read More
Ideally, humans would eat wholly nutritious diets rich in protein,... Read More
Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is responsible for numerous deaths in... Read More
Recently a television health expert was discussing the topic, "How... Read More
Your Immune system Needs BalanceTaking an immune system supplement daily... Read More
This article provides three easy tips for selecting a quality... Read More
Every minute of every day the cells of our... Read More
BROCCOLI Good Healthy Food, for Natural Healing, Good Health and... Read More
Taurine is the second most abundant amino acid in the... Read More
It seems today that for every mood swing, inconvenient behavior,... Read More
During the past few years, I've become more interested in... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..Actually, my headache is not the result of just thinking... Read More
Throughout my childhood I was aware of the importance of... Read More
What if there was a solution to protecting and restoring... Read More
There are so many different whey protein powder products on... Read More
A 2002 study reported, funded by the Swiss National Science... Read More
Coral Calcium is an excellent source of readily accessible and... Read More
It's unfortunate but many people have digestive systems that find... Read More
Currently, there are no known side effects for most hyaluronic... Read More
Recently the news carried the story that a researcher had... Read More
Anti aging has become the latest craze.Wherever we look at,... Read More
People accept arthritic disease as a 'natural part of the... Read More
1. Do not refrigerate vegetables and fruits (raw and uncut)... Read More
Will common sense ever prevail? We've all seen stories on... Read More
Many people find that after a few weeks, the gains... Read More
The next step on your road to real health is... Read More
What Is Thiamin?Known as Vitamin B1, thiamin was the very... Read More
Chromium picolinate supplement combines the essential trace mineral Chromium with... Read More
Vitamins is something people been using for a while and... Read More
When I began to study nutrition, I too believed that... Read More
BCAA stands for branched chain amino acids and is increasingly... Read More
Bodybuilding supplements generally fall under the classification of dietary supplements,... Read More
Perhaps you first read riboflavin at the back of a... Read More
Riboflavin is a common name for vitamin B-2 and was... Read More
Turmeric, in all honesty is not a vitamin, but it... Read More
Taurox is an excellent way to find true and healthy... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |