Coenzyme Q10- Ultimate Heart Health
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ-10, is an enzyme. CoQ-10 performs different tasks throughout the body, but, one of its main functions is energy production in the cells. CoQ10 is usually based in the Mitochondria of the cell, which is where energy productions takes place.
The human body needs energy in order to function and perform tasks. All of our organs and tissues including, the brain, liver, skeletal muscle and gum tissue, are big energy consumers. These organs and tissues require large amounts of CoQ10 for optimal health. The organ that consumes the most energy is the Heart. Cardiologist, congestive heart failure (CHF) researcher and international CoQ10 expert, Peter H. Langsjoen, MD, FACC says that "The heart muscle uses more energy than any other organ in our bodies".
Heart Health and CoQ10:
Research has been emerging about the connection between heart problems and CoQ10. Studies show that people with heart disease are extremely deficient in CoQ10.
An Italian study published in the online edition of the European Heart Journal has found that daily oral supplementation with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can improve the cardiovascular health of people with heart failure.
Researcher Romualdo Belardinelli and colleagues from the Lanicisi Heart Institute in Italy conducted a study of 23 patients with stable chronic heart failure (CHF), including 20 men with an average age of 59. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study randomly assigned the participants to four groups.
The first group was treated with oral supplements of CoQ10 (100 mg, three times per day); the second group took CoQ10 supplements and engaged in supervised exercise training five times a week; the third group took placebo; and the fourth group took placebo plus exercised five times a week.
The researchers found that the group taking CoQ10 supplements experienced a significant 9 percent improvement in the heart's functional capacity, compared to the group taking placebo. The group taking CoQ10 plus exercising experienced similar results over the group taking placebo and exercising.
Blood flow to the heart also increased by 38 percent in the groups taking CoQ10 supplements, and plasma levels of CoQ10 in those groups was tripled. That benefits CHF patients because it helps increase the bioavailability of CoQ10.
Another disease CoQ10 has shown to help is kidney disease and kidney failure. A 2003 study published in the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine showed dramatic improvement in renal failure patients who took CoQ10 compared to those who took the placebo. Some who were on dialysis were even eventually able to manage without.
Though most researchers focus on the effects of CoQ10 on heart health and kidney health , research is under way to examine the supplements' possible benefits for people with diabetes, breast cancer, lung and prostate cancers, and male infertility.
Coq10 has also been shown to relieve migraines naturally. Daily supplementation with CoQ-10 has been shown to wipe out migraines in many people. Unfortunately, many people just aren't aware of CoQ10. They continue dosing themselves with painkillers, unknowingly destroying their liver function and causing severe gastrointestinal stress for decades on end.
For Migraines, the real answer is improved nutrition and a healthy nutritional strategy that should always include a daily dose of CoQ10.
How it Works in Energy Production:
Cells use enzymes to break down chemical bonds in molecules to produce energy. Importantly, enzymes just can't perform without their supporting cast of coenzymes. Many vitamins and CoQ-10 are coenzymes and without them energy production is impaired. According to Dr. Langsjoen, "CoQ10 is a coenzyme for three large enzyme systems that are essential for 90% of cellular energy production."
Like cholesterol, your body makes its own CoQ10 which is a biochemical illustration of just how important this compound is to health. It is also found in food. Meat, fish and poultry are good dietary sources of CoQ10.
CoQ-10- What an Antioxidant
CoQ-10 is also a very powerful antioxidant. It neutralizes oxidative stress and free radicals (damaging molecules) in cell membranes. Free radicals are damaging molecules that can be formed by simple tasks like breathing and eating.
CoQ10 also acts to regenerate or recycle alpha tocopherol (a form of vitamin E) for antioxidant activity. It also protects the lipoprotein LDL cholesterol from lipid peroxidation, a particularly cell damaging reactive oxygen species.
What Causes CoQ-10 Deficiency?
There are few different causes for CoQ-10 deficiency. Aging is one of the contributing factors. Research shows as people age, CoQ10 production naturally reduces. For this reason Dr. Langsjoen recommends that people who are middle aged, should begin supplementing CoQ10, as a protective measure against disease.
Another cause of CoQ-10 deficiency is taking statin drugs. Dr. Langsjoen says that "All statin drugs (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) block the biosynthesis of both cholesterol and CoQ10, which explains their common side effects including fatigue, muscle pain, and a worsening of heart failure." Furthermore, Dr. Langsjoen adds that "the current epidemic of congestive heart failure in the US can be termed statin cardiomyopathy".
Decreased plasma levels of CoQ-10 have also been observed with hypertension, diabetes, some cancers, gingivitis (periodontal disease), cataract formation, muscular dystrophy, HIV aids and kidney disorders.
Leah M. is the author of "The Kosher Gut Plan- Reboot Your Digestive System Naturally". The book describes in detail alternative treatments, healing foods and recipes for IBS, Colitis, and Crohns. Her book is available for sale on Amazon.