CoEnzyme Q10

STRENGTH: 100 mg
FORM: 60 Softgels

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10) or ubiquinone is essentially a vitamin-like substance. Although there is some confusion regarding this nomenclature, this essential nutritional constituent is involved in the electron transport system at the cellular level in the respiratory chain to help produce energy in the body. Coenzyme Q10 works its magic in the mitochondria in the cells of muscle tissue, and of course this includes the heart. Coenzyme Q10 is well known for, and has been shown to be, an antioxidant of the highest caliber. And as you may well expect Coenzyme Q10 performs multiple roles in the body, including having a regulatory role on succinyl and NADH dehydrogenases (energy). It is also needed for the synthesis of prostaglandins (of which there are good and not so good) and protects cells from lipid peroxidation in the aging process. Coenzyme Q10 is a very lipophilic (loves fat) compound and is practically insoluble in water due to its structure.

The most important application for Coenzyme Q10 and what it is used for the most these days is in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease and related disorders that involve the heart. The most recent studies suggest that Coenzyme Q10 can reduce the frequency of angina episodes while strengthening the heart muscle; it can also increase the quality of life and survivability in those with congestive heart failure. Those that are in a compromised state, are in the most need of a bioavailable form of Coenzyme Q10 for it to be effective. When the body is in a state of decay or is traumatized in any way, nutrient absorption and utilization is compromised so the body has trouble fighting back. This nutrient’s uses are so well documented and accepted, that doctors are now using Coenzyme Q10 to treat many different types of pathologies ranging from AIDS to Parkinson’s disease. Coenzyme Q10 is even being used to treat breast cancer and support the health of those who are receiving chemotherapy. Coenzyme Q10 has also been shown to be of potential benefit to diabetics because of its ability to enhance insulin production. Coenzyme Q10 has also been used with favorable results to treat symptoms of muscular dystrophy and those with gum disease, both of which can be linked to Coenzyme Q10 deficiencies. It is important to note that Coenzyme Q10 can also protect against the side effects of certain drugs and anti-psychotics such as biguanides, clonidine, gemfibrozil, methyldopa, haloperidol and other tetracyclic antidepressants.

Coenzyme Q10 is found naturally in foods, but is to some degree synthesized in the body. In the body the biosynthesis of Coenzyme Q10 from the amino acid tyrosine is a multistage process requiring at least eight vitamins and several trace elements. This is one main reason why most people don’t get enough in their diet, because it is so complicated to make…and most people’s diets aren’t that great to begin with. Another reason is that most of the supplemental Coenzyme Q10 products being sold on the market today are sold in their ‘dry’ form and are not as bioavailable as you would want it to be. So to solve this issue it is best to, when consuming Coenzyme Q10 orally, take it with a meal that contains fat or in supplemental soft gel format mixed in oil. Research has shown that this form of delivery system is far superior to the dry two piece hard gel. When taken mixed in the oil format it is absorbed into the lymphatic system (where most fats are taken in) and distributed to cells throughout the body.

For it to be most effective, Coenzyme Q10 supplements should be taken with vitamin E, which helps preserve it and is also used to process it as an antioxidant. Vitamin E of course has a long standing reputation as a powerful antioxidant in its own right. It has been added to this formula due to its functional capacity in making this product more effective. Our CoQ 10 is offered in an oil base with vitamin E added to enhance its assimilation into the bloodstream.

To date, the medical literature has not reported any adverse effects specifically related to the use of this dietary supplement in adults, children or fetal development during pregnancy or to infants who are breast-fed. Overall there are no known toxicities associated with this dietary supplement.†

Also available in capsules

REFERENCES:

1. Folkers K., Brown R., Judy W.V., and Morita M. (1993) Survival of cancer patients on therapy with coenzyme Q10. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., Ms. No. G-8658.
2. Langsjoen P. H., Langsjoen P. H., Folkers K., Richardson P. Treatment of patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection with coenzyme Q10. In: Folkers K., Littarru G.P., and Yamagami, T., (eds) Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of
   Coenzyme Q, (1991) vol. 6, pp 409-415.
3. Iwamoto Y., Watanabe T., Okamoto H., Ohata N., Folkers K. Clinical effect of coenzyme Q10 on periodontal disease. In: Folkers, K., Yamamura, Y., (eds) Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q10, (1981) vol. 3, Elsevier,
   Amsterdam, pp 109-119.