Health Benefits of CoQ10 - A Powerful, Important Heart Compound

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 Joint Pain Arthritis Treatment. He also contributes to Fitness Events, a site dedicated to exercise and physical fitness.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Discover Natural Supplements That Really Give Relief From Arthritic Pain

If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you've heard... Read More

Calcium Supplement - The Importance of Taking One

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body... Read More

Vitamin for Boosting your Immune System

Turmeric, in all honesty is not a vitamin, but it... Read More

Protect and Improve Your Health With Antioxidants

Every minute of every day the cells of our... Read More

The Perfect Supplement

I wanted to write this article because of my sincere... Read More

Glucosamine Chondroitin & Arthritis - A Health Supplement

Many millions of people are affected by pain and suffering... Read More

Acid Amino Arginine ? An Acid With Many Benefits

When you buy acid amino arginine you can look forward... Read More

Too Many Books, Supplements, and Programs

If I read 1 good valid murder mystery book, would... Read More

Congestive Heart Failure And CoQ10

Since the 1960â??s there have been numerous controlled clinical trials... Read More

Vitamin Supplement Ratings ? Proof Of Popularity

Vitamin supplement ratings quite clearly show just how popular nutritional... Read More

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - L-Tyrosine

L-tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that plays a role... Read More

Advanced Creatine Cycling Schedule

Many people find that after a few weeks, the gains... Read More

The Science Behind Phytonutrient Rich Soy Based Products

A healthier diet is very much in the news these... Read More

Why Is Vitamin B6 So Important?

Vitamin B6 is the hardest working nutrient in the human... Read More

Research on Hyaluronic Acid Knee Injections

Hyaluronic acid, a key component of human tissue, aiding the... Read More

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - L-Carnitine

L-carnitine is synthesized in the body from the amino acids... Read More

Amino Acid Usage ? How You Can Benefit

Over the years, amino acid usage has become more and... Read More

Beta-Glucan Information

Beta-Glucan is an extremely potent, immune activating substance taken from... Read More

Getting the Most Out of Your Supplements and Yourself

Are you not feeling any results from your nutritional supplements?Here... Read More

Take Back Your Life 3

In parts one and two of this series, titled "Take... Read More

New Health Miracle -- Pharmaceutical Grade Fish Oil

"High-dose pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is as close to a medical... Read More

Vitamin A ? The Glow-in-the-dark Vitamin

The ancient Egyptians had a cure for "night blindness". They... Read More

How To Make HGH And Anti Aging Work For You

Anti aging has become the latest craze.Wherever we look at,... Read More

Dietary and Nutritional Supplements: Know More About Supplements

At times, due to your busy and fast life, we... Read More

Improve Your Mental Cognitive Abilities

The Connection Between Brain Inflammation, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's DiseaseThe evidence... Read More

Fiber Supplements to Beat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Fiber supplements can be tremendously beneficial for IBS sufferers. Although... Read More

Vitamins for Your Healthier LIfe

VITAMINS:Vitamins are major for Healthy life. Vitamin D may reduce... Read More

Herbal Supplement

Herbal Supplement ? what is it?So what is an herbal... Read More

The Importance of Taking a Multivitamin Supplement

It's absolutely crucial that your body gets the nutrients it... Read More

Using Antioxidants in Your Weight Loss Program

If you're smart, you should not only be focused on... Read More

What Can Muscle Milk Do For Me?

As the name suggests, muscle milk is a supplement that... Read More

Mangosteen

Rarely has a fruit that has been so unknown to... Read More

What Vitamin Supplement is Best for Gastric Bypass Patients

The multi-vitamin market is rich with choice. It's also very... Read More