COENZYME Q-10
Excerpt from article written by Anne Vlass N.D
 If you keep up with the latest health news and research, you have probably been hearing more and more exciting updates about the benefits of an antioxidant with the abbreviated name CoQ-10. Recent scientific research has linked this nutrient with an incredible list of clinically proven benefits.
Coenzyme Q-10 is a naturally occurring substance in the body. It is a powerful antioxidant and is an essential coenzyme in the process of energy production. It speeds up reactions in the body and is present in every cell in the body, so you can imagine how useful this nutrient is in treating many common health problems.
Remember the way we used to buzz around when we were children? We can thank CoQ-10 for that. While the body manufactures CoQ-10 throughout our life, our capacity to produce it declines after the age of 30, and seems to be at its peak in our teens. This is why supplementation can be useful. There are many clinically proven benefits of CoQ-10, but here are just a few!
Antioxidant
Apart from energy production, CoQ-10 is an important antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that have the potential to damage essential cell components, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA is a molecule inside cells that carries genetic information and passes it from one generation to the next. The result of this damage may play a role in the development of cancer1.
Diabetes
Studies have demonstrated that CoQ-10 enhances insulin synthesis and secretion as well as helping to regulate blood glucose levels.
Weight loss
CoQ-10 stimulates metabolism of the body by improving ATP (energy) production. Studies have shown that those on a low calorie diet had more than double the rate of weight loss after 8–9 weeks if they were also given 100 mg/day CoQ-10.
Increases sports performance and recovery
CoQ-10 is essential for cellular respiration, electron transfer, ATP production and the control of oxidation reactions, all needed to produce energy in the body2.
Immune Stimulant
Tissues and cells required by the immune system are highly energy dependent and therefore require an adequate supply of CoQ-10 for optimal function. Patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer were treated for long periods with CoQ-10 (60 mg/day). Significant increases in the level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) corrected immune deficiency after 27–98 days of CoQ-10 treatment.
Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension
There has been extensive research in CoQ-10 and its ability to support heart tissue by stabilising membranes and surrounding cells, improving conditions such as angina. CoQ-10 levels are significantly reduced in patients with cardiac myopathy and chronic hypertension, with supplementation significantly improving both conditions. CoQ-10 also reduces blood viscosity in patients with ischaemic heart disease3.
Reduces Cholesterol
Reduces low density lipo protein (LDL) peroxidation during oxidative stress. Peroxidation can produce damaging free radicals, which can cause atherosclerosis.
Parkinson’s Disease
CoQ-10 slows the progression of Parkinson’s; possibly through protecting neurons through its powerful antioxidant defenses4.
Periodontal Disease
CoQ-10 deficiency has been reported in gingival tissue in patients with periodontal disease. Oral treatment with CoQ-10 (50 mg/day) has been seen to reverse the deficiency in gingival tissue with a healing of lesions in three weeks, compared to the usual six months in controls.
Gastric Ulcers
The process of healing and tissue repair and the production of the protective gastric mucus are highly energy-dependent and therefore require the presence of adequate amounts of CoQ-10, which has been shown to aid gastric ulcer healing.
Migraine
CoQ-10 has been clinically proven to significantly reduce both the frequency of attacks and the number of days with migraine after three months of treatment5.
Caution: Do not take while on Warfarin therapy.
Ann Vlass N.D is a qualified Naturopath. Specialising in Fertility and Weight Management, she completed her Advanced Certificate in Natural Fertility Management and Better Babies Preconception Health Care with Francesca Naish. Ann also has a Science degree from The University of Melbourne (majoring in pharmacology and biochemistry) and is currently completing her Honours Thesis at the Royal Melbourne Hospital with the Department of Medicine focussing on colorectal cancer and fibre.
References:
1. National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2005) – National Institutes of Health (USA), http://nccam.nih.gov. 2. Vanfraechem JHP and Folkers K. CoQ-10 and physical performance. Biomedical and Clinical aspects of Coenzyme Q-10, Vol 3. Elsevier Biomed Press. Amsterdam 1981: 235-41. 3. Littaru GP, Ho L, Folkers K. Deficiency of CoQ-10 in human heart disease Int J Vit Res 1970;40:380. 4. Ebadi M, et al. (2001), Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q-10) and mitochondria in oxidative stress of Parkinson’s disease. Biol Signals Recept. 10(3-4):224-53. 5. 5. Rozen, T.D. et al. Open lab trial of coenzyme Q-10 as a migraine preventive. Cephalalgia 22.2 (2002):137-141.
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