Coenzyme Q10 – A Fountain of Youth?

If you keep up with the latest news and research, you have probably been hearing more and more exciting updates about the benefits of an antioxidant with the abbreviated name CoQ10. Recent scientific research has linked this nutrient with an incredible list of benefits.

Coenzyme Q10 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? Some researchers saw, we can thank CoQ10 for that.

While the body manufactures CoQ10 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 indicated benefits of CoQ10, but here are a few!

Antioxidant

Apart from energy production, CoQ10 is an important antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that have the potental 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 cancer.

Diabetes

Studies have demonstrated that CoQ10 enhances insulin synthesis and secretion as well as helping to regulate blood glucose levels.

Weight loss

CoQ10 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 CoQ10.

Increases sports performance and recovery

CoQ10 is essential for cellular respiration, electron transfer, ATP production and the control of oxidation reactions, all needed to produce energy in the body.

Immune Stimulant

Tissues and cells required by the immune system are highly energy dependent and therefore require an adequate supply of CoQ10 for optimal function. Patient with cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer were treated for long periods with CoQ10 (60 mg/day). Significant increases in the level of immunoglobin G (IgG) corrected immune deficiency after 27-98 days of CoQ10 treatment.

Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension

There has been extensive research in CoQ10 and its ability to support heart tissue by stabilising membranes and surrounding cells, improving conditions such as angina.

CoQ10 levels are significantly reduced in patients with cardiac myopathy and chronic hypertension, with supplementation significantly improving both conditions. CoQ10 also improves blood viscosity in patients with ischaemic heart disease.

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

CoQ10 slows the progression of Parkinson’s; possibly through protecting neurons through its powerful antioxidant defenses.

Periodontal Disease

CoQ10 deficiency has been reported in gingival tissue in patients with periodontal disease. Oral treatment with CoQ10 (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 amount of CoQ10, which has been shown to aid gastric ulcer healing.

Migraine

CoQ10 has been clinically proven to significantly reduce both the frequency of attacks and the number of days with migraine after three month of treatment.