CoQ-10

This essential co-enzyme offers numerous benefits via cellular protection cellular protection and rejuvenation.

Co enzyme Q-10, known as CoQ-10 for short, has become an increasingly popular dietary supplement, as more people realize that it is a naturally occurring nutrient that is essential not olny for health but for life.

In an article entitled "Miracles of Co enzyme Q-10", which appeared in the January/February 1997 issue of Health Freedom News, authors Debasis Bagchi, Ph.D., FACN; S.K. Dash, Ph.D., and Dipak K. Das, write, "Co enzyme Q-10...is a naturally occurring substance that is an essential component of the mito-chondrial respiratory chain where aerobic energy is produced. It is an important regulator of the cardiovascular system. CoQ-10 acts as the catalyst that allows the body to produce energy at the cellular level. This energy enhances the immune system, the bodys primary line of defense against disease. Without adequate enhancement, the immune system can no longer prevent illness."

Health researchers describe this coenzyme as being a nutrient that helps revitalize and maintain homeostasis, particularly in the heart and blood vessels. It also has been demonstrated to optimize trans-plasma membrane electron transport systems; such systems help bring about healthy regeneration of tissue, as well as cell growth.

Professor F.L. Crane and his group was the first to isolate Coenzyme Q-10 in pure form at the University of Wisconsin, in 1957. This was followed by a re-isolation of CoQ-10 from beef muscle, by Dr. Karl Folkers, Ph.D., a medicinal chemist. He also not only characterized and interpreted the structure of CoQ-10, but synathesized the pure compound and went on to show that it is an essential vitamin supplement for maintenance of cardiovascular and immunological health, write Dash, Bagchi and Das. In the early 1960s Dr. Folker hypothesized that CoQ-10 was essential to the bodys production of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Dr. Folker established his hypothesis that CoQ-10 is absolutely essential for human life.

CoQ-10 can be found as a naturally occurring substance in bovine muscle and heart, and in eggs. It also occurs in lesser quantities in beans, grains, spinach and certain oils. The obvious deterrent to trying to obtain adequate amounts of CoQ-10 from beef products and eggs is their high cholesterol contents. Therefore, those people who want to refrain from eating beef and egg products and who do not eat enough beans, grains and spinach, may opt to choose a supplemental form of CoQ-10.

Dr. Folkers and his colleagues performed a study on the effects of CoQ-10 treatment for diabetes, cancer and heart and blood vessel disease on eight aging patients. The study showed that seven patients had an increase in antibody levels. In addition, write Dash, Bagchi and Das, Scientists have shown that people afflicted with cancer and heart disease have an alarmingly low supply of CoQ-10. The trio believes therefore that supplementation of CoQ-10 is "very important".

CoQ-10 can be found as a naturally occurring substance in bovine muscle and heart, and in eggs. It also occurs in lesser quantities in beans, grains, spinach and certain oils. The obvious deterrent to trying to obtain adequate amounts of CoQ-10 from beef products and eggs is their high cholesterol contents. Therefore, those people who want to refrain from eating beef and egg products and who do not eat enough beans, grains and spinach, may opt to choose a supplemental form of CoQ-10.

According to Dash, Bagchi and Das, this coenzyme has strong antioxidant and membrane stabilizing properties. As an antioxidant-acting nutrient, CoQ-10 works to scavenge free radicals when ozygen free radicals are generated. "Additionally', they write, "exogenous Q-10 has been shown to be inhibitory to the cellular phospholipases responsible for degrading cell membranes. Exogenous administration of CoQ-10 has been shown to be a potent blocker of lipid peroxidation."

In Nutrition News, Vol. X, No. 8, publisher and editor Siri Khalsa, citing information from "The Miracle Nutrient: Coenzyme Q-10", written by Emile G. Bliznakov, M.D. and Gerald L. Hunt, writes, "CoQ-10 is a vital catalyst to the creation of energy on a cellular level. Within each cell are tiny energy generators (mitochondria) which produce 95% of our total energy needs. CoQ-10 is held within the membranes of these organelles where it synthesizes a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the basic energy molecule of the cell."

She goes on to point out that studies have demonstrated that a 75% deficiency of CoQ-10 in the body renders organs and systems unable to meet their energy requirements, and that major ill health and disease states can or will result.

Khalsa writes that known results stemming from oral CoQ-10 usage are an increase of energy, heart function improvement, prevention and cure of gum disease, immune-system boosting, and possible extension of life.

She adds that after age 35 or so, humans' ability to synthesize this coenzyme starts to decline. "Because of CoQ-10's role in energy production and oxygen utilization within every cell in the body some people experience a major increase in energy and reduced sleep needs when they use CoQ-10 supplements."

Literature from OptiPure, a division of Chemco Industries, a dietary supplement raw material manufacturer, notes that," Vital to producing cellular energy, acting as a unique membrane surface antioxidant, and protecting lipoproteins from attack by free radicals, CoQ-10 is one of the most important nutritional discoveries in the last half of the 20th Century." The literature also emphasizes that CoQ-10 is made more bioavailable when it is in a completely solubilized state, "such as when carried in a diluent such as vitamin E and /or other lipid-soluble media."

There seems to be good scientific work demonstrating the benefits of CoQ-10; however, before arbitrary supplementation, it may be wise to consult with your healthcare provider first.

References:
Health Freedom News, January/February 1997 | Nutrition News, Vol. X, No. 8 | Literature from OptiPure, div. of Chemco Industries