CoQ Benefits – A Matter of the Heart and Health

CoQ benefits are ones you wouldn’t want to miss when it comes to good health, including a healthy heart, effective liver detoxification and tip top muscle and nerve function.

Vitamin C

Zinc

Vitamin D

Anti-oxidant

Omega 3's

CoQ also known as Coenzyme Q10, CoQ10, Q10 and ubiquinone, is produced in all cells in the body. It’s a powerful anti-oxidant, an essential player in healthy mitochondrial energy production and part of successful liver detoxification.

                                 ........You want to get enough.

CoQ Benefits – From general health to heart health….

For these reasons, Co Q is key for general health including freedom from fatigue and weakness.  It’s a supplement of choice when it comes to improving heart health. It has been linked to improved symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

 …So why?

The heart has one of the greatest concentrations of Q10 in the body. It’s also one of the muscles that never stops working (you’re in trouble if it does - it’s called a heart attack). It requires constant energy to function.

As well, the cardiovascular system is vulnerable at several points to free radical attack including the heart muscles themselves, the arterial walls (endothelium), the nerve pathways and the various lipids including the famous dark horse LDL cholesterol.  

When free radicals are on the loose – all these systems become vulnerable to damage.

Antioxidants, including CoQ, can play a role preventing this damage by donating the missing electron that characterizes the free radical beast. Coenzyme Q10 works directly to extend the antioxidant function of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and others by donating the missing electrons.

As well as preventing oxidation and free radical damage in these key cardiovascular weak points, CoQ can strengthen and help renew the heart muscle.

CoQ Benefits - An energy booster

When it comes to strengthening the heart and boosting energy at the mitochondrial level, CoQ works as a turbo charger in cellular energy production.

CoQ is one of the only electron transfer substances in this energy producing process that simultaneously transports 2 electrons instead of 1 .  A cell’s energy potential increases substantially when Q10 is on the scene. 

No wonder studies have shown that heart patients who supplement Co Q report feelings of improved energy as well as stronger heart function, improved arrhythmia and lesser symptoms of congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy including less weakness and fatigue.

Co-enzyme Q 10’s central role in cellular energy production at the mitochondrial levels means supplementation is a useful in cases of mitochondrial dysfunction. This dysfunction can have body-wide effects including symptoms as wide ranging as profound fatigue and weakness,  heart failure, central nervous system malfunction and problems with the  inner ear,  colon, liver, pancreas, eyes,  kidneys and more.

Co Q10 supplementation can play a role in dealing with conditions in which sub-performing mitochondria are responsible.

CoQ Benefits – Free radical slayer

Another benefit of Coenzyme Q10 is as an antioxidant that can stabilize anti-oxidants like Vitamin E, C and others, once they have lost their electron. This electron rebooting role of Q10 can prevent free radical damage. 

By enhancing Vitamin E’s effects, Coenzyme Q10 is an important lipid protector, key for healthy cell membranes. Healthy cell membranes are needed for effective neurotransmitter activity and nerve function as well as protection of lipids throughout the body including LDL cholesterol.  Damaged fats can promote the development of arthrosclerosis, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and dementia and other conditions.

CoQ Benefits - Friend of Liver Detoxification

A surfeit of anti-oxidants is required for the liver to neutralize the toxic waste products produced by the body during detoxification. This initial stage is called Phase I detoxification and is the first step in preparing metabolic waste products for elimination.  The process generates loads of free radicals which, if not mopped up, could do extensive damage.  

Co-enzyme Q 10, in tandem with other anti-oxidants like Vitamins E, Vitamin C, lipoic acid and glutathione, accomplishes this free radical clean-up so that effective elimination of waste can take place.

Not surprisingly, second to the heart muscle, the liver has the body’s greatest concentration of Q10.

CoQ Benefits – Where you Get It – Diet and Supplements

The problem with Q10 is that our cells produce less as we age.

• Diet & Q10
  

The main dietary sources include meat, poultry and fish with organ meats like liver and heart along with trout being top sources. Nuts and seeds and their oils including canola and soybean oil are significant sources.

One problem in getting enough Q10 via diet is that cooking with heat can destroy Q10 in food with the caveat that boiled foods retain more Q10 than fried.

• Supplements & Q10
  

Supplements for this reason are a reliable source of Q10 and used routinely with heart patients.  In fact, supplementation is essential when taking statin drugs which significantly deplete Q10 levels.

Therapeutic doses of Q10 normally range from 100 to 300 mg per day. Doses of up to 1,300 mg daily have been shown to slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease.

Research confirms that Q10 supplementation is safe long term with little risk of toxicity. Be cautious if taking blood thinners, however, because some evidence suggests Q10 supplements may counter their effects.

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