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.
disinfecting cleaning services Arlington Heights ..Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is responsible for numerous deaths in... Read More
Riboflavin is a common name for vitamin B-2 and was... Read More
Many years ago I became convinced of the need to... Read More
Undoubtedly calcium has become a hot topic of controversy. We... Read More
"They", the "experts" all say how important vitamins are -... Read More
Fat Loss Supplement ? what is it?What is a fat... Read More
No Money in PreventionI have been recommending a wide variety... Read More
There is a paradox of sorts when dealing with injections... Read More
Anti aging has become the latest craze.Wherever we look at,... Read More
Since ancient time bee pollen has been considered as an... Read More
Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid was first isolated from lemons... Read More
Since Dr Basant Puri, a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer... Read More
"Anybody who tells you that disease has only one cause,... Read More
April 14,2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal district... Read More
MSM is a wonderful supplement with a low toxicity rating... Read More
In July of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture... Read More
Throughout my childhood I was aware of the importance of... Read More
Suppose you can turn back the hands of time to... Read More
The skeletal muscle component known as creatine is not only... Read More
Vitamin E is a family of eight related molecules known... Read More
For years now we have heard that supplementing our diets... Read More
Extensive research studies show that taking vitamin and mineral supplements... Read More
We live in a health conscious generation where vitamins and... Read More
The Greek word "Glyco" means, "Sugar". Most people think of... Read More
Bovine Colostrum is the form of "milk" taken from dairy... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Mundelein ..One of the questions that I frequently get asked is... Read More
Most parents' think their children are eating a fairly healthy... Read More
Your Immune system Needs BalanceTaking an immune system supplement daily... Read More
Sometimes I used to look at my son Shawn and... Read More
Creatine ? The most researched performance enhancing nutritional supplementDoes creatine... Read More
Chromium picolinate supplement combines the essential trace mineral Chromium with... Read More
Suppose you can turn back the hands of time to... Read More
Once again the "wisdom" of the FDA and the supplement... Read More
Bovine Colostrum is the form of "milk" taken from dairy... Read More
Americans are buzzing about the FDA's recent decision to reverse... Read More
No Money in PreventionI have been recommending a wide variety... Read More
The Challenge of Free Radicals to Your BodyYour body is... Read More
Vitamins seem to be so good for everything. The newly... Read More
Vitamins is something people been using for a while and... Read More
Many millions of people are affected by pain and suffering... Read More
I recently heard of an older couple that eats salmon... Read More
Part 1:A "better nutritional program" means the introduction of foods... Read More
A dose of vitamin C may give a quick boost... Read More
Nitric Oxide, a gas that occurs naturally in the body,... Read More
There is a generation called the baby boomers that make... Read More
After nearly 4 years of research and development, Flavonoid Sciences... Read More
There are numerous herbal supplements on the market today that... Read More
Finding out a little about amino acid basics enables you... Read More
Fitness Supplement ? what is it?The term "fitness supplement" is... Read More
If you're smart, you should not only be focused on... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |