Coenzyme Q10!

Have you heard of this wonderful antioxidant that our bodies produce? We produce less as we age and so need to understand what role this plays in our health.

 Tori Hudson, ND, a nationally acclaimed teacher and clinician, explains “Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of those nutrients that just keeps surprising you- with it’s diversity, it’s benefits, safety, and research. It is widely found in nature where it is synthesized in humans, animals, plants and microbes.  An essential component of the mitochondria(the energy producing unit of each cell of our body), CoQ10 is involved in the manufacture of ATP, which is similar to the energy a spark plug provides in a car engine. The cells of our body need that initial spark provided by CoQ10, in order to function.” 

It improves energy production in every cell of our bodies and is one of our most effective antioxidants.  Without sufficient ATP production in our cells, we are prone to illness, increasing fatigue and more rapid aging.

*As our bodies age, we produce less CoQ10 and we become more susceptible to chronic illness.

What conditions can be helped with CoQ10?

• Cardiac conditions:  the breadth and depth of the role of CoQ10 on cardiac disorders is impressive – improving several markers of cardiac output (directly related to cardiac function and wellness).  Cardiomyopathy (degeneration of the heart muscle) responds well to CoQ10 as does congestive heart failure (CHF).  In fact, in the largest study, of 2,664 patients with CHF, 78 percent of the patients receiving a daily dose of 50 mg to 150 mg per day, had 63 percent or more improvements in their clinical signs and symptoms after 3 months.  It also can help lower blood pressure and reduce the incidence of angina.

• Diabetes:  CoQ10 can increase insulin production, improve glucose utilization and reduce fasting blood sugar levels

• Immune system dysfunction:  Dr. Hudson explains “Chronic infections, chronic diseases reflecting impaired immunity such as heart disease, thyroiditis, cancers and allergies reflect tissues and cells with altered immune function which are highly energy-dependent.”  CoQ10 increases energy production which directly improves the immune function

• Cancer:  free radical formation is implicated in the development of cancer.  As a leading antioxidant, CoQ10 directly reduces free radical formation.  Also, CoQ10 can be very helpful in recovering from some chemo drug treatments
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• Gum disease:  CoQ10 improves periodontal health

• Brain health:  research is increasingly demonstrating the critical role of CoQ10 in healthy brain functioning, particularly as we age

What can alter CoQ10 production besides aging?  

The statin class of cholesterol lowering drugs all reduce production of CoQ10.  Supplementing with CoQ10 could be very helpful;  ask your health care provider or look it up! And here . . . 

Do you need CoQ10?  

Learn more here. . .

And here . . .  Alleviating congestive heart failure with CoQ10