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.

---

Vitamins and Minerals Help Ensure A Good Healthy Heart

Taking good care of your body means that you are... Read More

Should You Be Taking Liquid Vitamins?

How many pills do you have to take every morning?... Read More

Grreen Power

It's green, it's valuable, and it can vastly improve your... Read More

Vitamin Supplement Ratings ? Proof Of Popularity

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

What If You Could Turn Back The Clock To When You Were healthy?

What if there was a solution to protecting and restoring... Read More

Fiber Supplements to Beat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

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

How Taking an HGH Supplement Changed My Life

I finally bought the stuff. I couldn't resist anymore. After... Read More

Beneficial Effects of Vitamins and Minerals To Your Blood

Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the health... Read More

Vitamin Supplements in a Liquid World

Every day, it seems like we are living in an... Read More

What Can Muscle Milk Do For Me?

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

Body Building Supplementation

Body Building Supplement ? what is it?The term "body building... Read More

Benefits of Bee Pollen Supplementation

Since ancient time bee pollen has been considered as an... Read More

Glyconutrients - The Next Major Health Breakthrough

Did you know?· 20% of Australian children reported symptoms of... Read More

How Colostrum Differs From Herbal Remedies

At some time or another, most people have taken some... Read More

That Brilliant Vitamin: Vitamin B

Perhaps you first read riboflavin at the back of a... Read More

Do You Need Glyconutrients?

With all of the exciting things people are seeing in... Read More

Phytoestrogen - The Role of Phytoestrogens in Breast Development & Health

What exactly are phytoestrogens, and how can we use them... 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

Ephedra Ban Lifted

April 14,2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal district... Read More

The Fountain Of Youth

Aging, a steady declineThe History of the world is filled... Read More

Omega-3 And Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is responsible for numerous deaths in... Read More

Protect Your Body and Slow Down Aging With Antioxidants

The Challenge of Free Radicals to Your BodyYour body is... Read More

Glyconutrients: A Breakthrough Discovery

The science of Glycobiology, touted by the Massachusetts Institute of... Read More

Can You Drink Your Way To Good Health?

Many years ago I became convinced of the need to... Read More

Nutritional Nutrients

Nutrients form the basis for your body, emotional and spiritual... Read More

Nutrition Supplementation

Nutrition Supplement ? nutrition.Nutrition supplement is a term familiar to... Read More

Vitamins and Minerals for Healthy Hair

A lot of people actually pay a good deal of... Read More

GABA: An Inexpensive, Natural, and Effective Way to Increase HGH

Suppose you can turn back the hands of time to... Read More

If You Want to Enjoy Optimum Good Health A Multivitamin Can Help

It's never too late to change your habits, and if... Read More

Amino Acid Usage ? How You Can Benefit

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

Weight Lifting Supplement

Weight Lifting Supplement ? what is it?The term "weight lifting... Read More

Vitamin Smoothies to Beat the Summer Heat

Vitamin smoothies are a great way to enjoy a cold... Read More

How to Neutralize the Terrorists Within Your Body

Did you know that there are free radical biochemical "terrorists"... Read More