coenzyme-q10-research

What is Coenzyme Q10(CoQ10)?
Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that is important for the production of energy in every cell of the body. It is made by the body and stored in the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. However, we also get it from a variety of foods such as liver, beef and other organ meats as well as certain kinds of fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel. In addition, we also can get it from peanuts, spinach and certain grains. Coq10 is found in all the body’s cells but is most highly concentrated in the cells of the heart muscle because they use the greatest amount of energy. Most of us have plenty of coenzyme Q10 in our bodies until around 30 years of age. At that point, our bodies lose the ability to make it at the same levels so the natural supply begins to decrease. Other reasons the levels drop include viral illnesses and shock which can rob us of coenzyme Q10. In addition, poor diets can contribute to a coenzyme Q10 deficiency which can lead to a series of health
problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, gum disease and obesity. A coenzyme Q10 deficiency is especially common in people with different kinds of heart disease. In fact, there are lower levels of the enzyme found in the cells of the heart muscles of patients with severe heart conditions.

How Does Coenzyme Q10 Benefit Our Health?

One benefit is that coenzyme Q10 improves heart function by enhancing energy production, improving the heart’s ability to contract and providing powerful antioxidant protection. It also helps prevent the buildup of oxidized LDL cholesterol, which is the bad cholesterol that contributes to blocked arteries when it is exposed to certain kinds of oxygen molecules. Coenzyme Q10 provides antioxidant protection which helps prevent the oxidizing process take place and as a result helps keep the LDL cholesterol from blocking the arteries. It can help almost any disease related to the heart including angina and arrhythmia. It can also help lower blood pressure and blood circulation. Another benefit is that is helps speed up the recovery process after heart surgery.

Another benefit is that coenzyme Q10 can also improve blood sugar levels as well as heart function and help maintain blood pressure levels in people with diabetes.

Other conditions it helps prevent or treat include gingivitis and periodontal disease, Parkinson’s Disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraines. It is also believed to help increase the immune system, male fertility and physical performance.

How Does Coenzyme Q10 Work?
Free radicals are produced through normal cell processes including the immune system to help fight bacteria and viruses. However, free radicals can also be produced from cigarette smoke, ultraviolet light, pollution, radiation and other environmental causes. Without antioxidants, free radicals can get out of control quickly and begin causing damage to the body’s cells. Free radicals speed up the aging process as well as play a part in heart disease, cancer and other health conditions.

Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant and a very strong one at that. Antioxidants seek and destroy free radicals found in the body. In doing so, antioxidants like coenzyme Q10 are able to reduce the damage caused by the free radicals and prevent further damage. Vitamin E and dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) are two other antioxidants that can work in conjunction with coq10.

What Side Effects Does Coenzyme Q10 Have?
When taken properly, coenzyme Q10 does not have any side effects. If a person is taking certain drugs, coenzyme Q10 may have a reaction to it. However, this is no cause for alarm because the body produces coenzyme Q10 and it is found naturally in almost every cell of the body. This said, there are certain types of drugs that interfere with the effectiveness of the coenzyme.

One example is some beta-blockers. The drugs do not alter the effectives of the coenzyme per se. The coenzyme works with other enzymes in the body to perform certain tasks, which the beta-blockers actually discourage. For example, the beta-blocker’s job is to slow down the heart rate; whereas, the coenzyme is there to help increase the strength of the heart. In addition, there are a number of beta-blocker medications that can reduce the amount of coenzyme Q10 in the body including propranolol, labetolol, atenolol, and metoprolol. On the positive side, the coenzyme can minimize the side effects of the beta-blocker medication, betaxolol, which is used for glaucoma, without altering the drug’s effectiveness.

There are a variety of other medications that can reduce the amount of coenzyme Q10 that is in the body. These include antidepressant medications as well as medications that control cholesterol.

On the flip side, the coenzyme can not only help prevent and treat certain conditions, but it can also help in lowering the amount of medication a person needs to take for the medical condition. For example, coenzyme Q10 can help reduce blood pressure. If a person is taking a blood pressure medication along with the coenzyme, it may work in conjunction with the medication in lowering the blood pressure resulting in needing smaller doses of the blood pressure medication. However, this is not something one should do without consulting the doctor first.

Though in most cases coenzyme Q10 does not have any side effects, there is one known exception. It has been noted that coenzyme Q10 may interfere with blood thinners such as coumadin (warfarin) and plavix (clopidigrel). It is important to consult your doctor before taking the coenzyme while taking a blood thinner. There is a possibility that the effectiveness of the medication can be diminished if combined with the coenzyme.

How Should Coenzyme Q10 Be Taken?
Coenzyme Q10 is fat soluble which means that the body will absorb more of the active ingredient if it is in a gel cap instead of a tablet. If you choose to take the tablet do so with a fat containing food such as peanut butter.