CoQ10 – Coenzyme Ubiquinone
…for heart
health
Benefits & Features
-
Supports the
cardiovascular system and heart health*1,2,3
-
Provides
antioxidant effects against lipid peroxidation*4,5
-
Maintains health
of teeth and gums*6
-
Functions in
energy production at the cellular level*7
-
Helps protect DNA
from oxidative damage*4,5,8
-
Supports normal
function of the immune system*9,10
-
Contributes to
healthy carbohydrate metabolism*11
-
Helps protect sperm
and supports optimum sperm function*12,13
Facts About CoQ10
Coenzyme
Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat soluble compound also known as ubiquinone, which
derives its name from the word “ubiquitous” because it is found in all
living cells.14
Many varieties of Coenzyme Q are found in nature and numbers are
used to distinguish between them. Coenzyme Q10 is a ubiquinone that is
found in humans and other mammals.15
Food sources of CoQ10 are primarily animal products, with an
average daily intake of 3-5 milligrams in the Western diet.16
The
human body can synthesize CoQ10, but only with the help of several
essential vitamins. Therefore
poor nutrition, and inadequate vitamin intake, can lead to impaired CoQ10
synthesis and low CoQ10 levels.*4 Other causes of low CoQ10 levels may be poor heart health or
poor gum health,17,18 drug
interactions,19 heavy exercise,20 and extreme tissue needs.*4
Additionally, CoQ10 levels in the body naturally decline with age,21
and are often low in people experiencing poor health.*22,23
Coenzyme
Q10 is available in both a dry, powdered form and in an oil-based
suspension. Most,44,45
though not all,5 studies
indicate that oil-based CoQ10 provides enhanced intestinal absorption and
bioavailability.*
BENEFITS
CoQ10
plays an essential role in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP),
which provides the body with energy.*7
Because all cellular activity requires an ample supply of ATP,
CoQ10 is especially important to those cells that are the most
metabolically active, such as those in the heart, muscle,
gastrointestinal tract, reproductive tissues, and the immune
system.*3,9,14
CoQ10
supports the cardiovascular system and promotes heart health.* Its
beneficial antioxidant effects inhibit lipid peroxidation of low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.*4,5
Oxidation of LDL cholesterol is a contributing factor for poor
heart health. CoQ10 also provides oxidative protection to the proteins and
DNA of the energy-producing mitochondria that are active in the heart and
other tissues.*8
Human
studies indicate that supplementing with 90 mg/day or more of CoQ10
produces a stronger heart muscle (a positive inotropic action),*24,6 and
100-120 mg/day protects the heart from the effects of decreased blood
supply.*25,26
Studies also suggest that 30 mg of CoQ10 per day helps maintain the
heart’s natural rhythm,*27 as well as to
help maintain healthy blood pressure.*2
CoQ10
contributes to healthy carbohydrate metabolism probably due to its role in
the electron transport chain.*7
This has also been shown to be an important factor in maintaining healthy
blood sugar levels.*28
Strenuous
physical activity lowers plasma levels of CoQ10,*20 therefore CoQ10 supplementation can help recover normal energy
production in overworked muscles.*29,30
Some measurements of exercise physiology in both athletes and
non-athletes can be improved by taking 60-100 mg/day of CoQ10 supplements,
according to some,31,32,33,34 though
not all, 35 studies.* However,
highly-trained endurance athletes do not appear to consistently benefit
from CoQ10 supplementation.*36,37,38
Human
sperm fluid (semen) is rich in CoQ10, which appears to provide crucial
antioxidant protection,12 and
plays a role in optimum sperm function.*13
Preliminary research suggests that CoQ10 supplementation can increase
sperm count and motility39 and
supports optimum male fertility.*40
People
with poor gum health have been found to have low levels of coenzyme Q.*18,41
Controlled research has determined that supplementation with 60-100 mg/day
of CoQ10 helps maintain healthy gums and provides protection against
damage to gums.*4,42,43
Nature’s
Life® pure CoQ10 is from OptiPure® brand, a high quality import
containing NO milk products, wheat, corn, soy or eggs.
CoQ10 supplements are available in water-based capsules and tablets
or oil-based softgel caps. Because
CoQ10 is a fat-soluble nutrient, absorption is best when taken with food
that contains fat, especially when ingesting the water-based forms.
Coenzyme
Q10 is usually well-tolerated and no serious adverse effects have been
reported in up to six years of continuous supplementation with 100
mg/day.*46 Individuals
using CoQ10 in large doses (100 mg/day or more) for heart health should
consult their health care practitioner before stopping or lowering the
dose.47
Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been
investigated.7
Some prescription drugs, specifically including some used to
lower cholesterol and blood pressure and to treat depression, may inhibit
the body’s synthesis of CoQ10.* In
most cases, adequate CoQ10 levels can be maintained by taking supplemental
CoQ10.*3
References
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