CoQ10 Info the Full Guide

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has a reputation for being an antioxidant extraordinaire, purported to boost energy levels, stop migranes dead in their tracks, improve skin texture, help regulate blood sugar, and treat infertility. Here we have compiled a good source of CoQ10 info and reviewed some of the claims people who use the supplement have made. CoQ10 is so essential, it’s also known as ubiquinone or ubiquinol, which shares the same root word as ubiquitous, because it is a crucial compound of practically every cell in our bodies. Our bodies even produce CoQ10 naturally and we keep a steady supply on hand. It’s found in particularly high concentrations in the heart, liver, kidney and pancreas. The body typically makes a sufficient supply of CoQ10, but levels have been shown to decline with age and with heart disease, especially after age sixty. Read ahead for our handy review titled CoQ10 info: the full guide.

The CoQ10 compound we make naturally in our bodies is stored in the mitochondria of our cells. The mitochondria are in charge of producing energy. They also protect cells from oxidative damage and disease causing bacteria or viruses.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with metabolic alterations in various disease states, including major trauma such as a serious burn injury. CoQ10 is an essential cofactor for mitochondrial electron transport, and its reduced form acts as a lipophilic antioxidant.  In some burn victims there has been noted mitochondrial dysfunction including enlargement, loss of structure and oxidative stress and disruption of mitochondrial integrity. All of these problems were shown significant improvement by CoQ10 treatment and the data showed CoQ10 as a powerful new strategy to prevent mitochondrial damage and metabolic dysfunction in these burn patients.

Our cells use CoQ10 to help turn the energy we consume from carbohydrates into triphosphate (ATP), the form of energy our cells can actually use to carry out many critical functions in the body. ATP is essential for healthy metabolism, bones, and neurological and muscle functioning. CoQ10 also functions as an antioxidant with vitamin E and C and selenium to help prevent free radical damage to our cells.

CoQ10 is available as a dietary supplement in several forms, including hard shell and soft gel capsules, an oral spray, and tablets. And while there is some evidence that CoQ10 supplements may help a number of diseases more studies need to be done to reach more definitive conclusions about who might benefit from taking a CoQ10 supplement.

Many people use COQ10 for treating heart and blood vessel conditions such as congestive heart failure (CHF), chest pain (angina), high blood pressure, and heart problems linked to certain cancer drugs. It is also used for diabetes, gum disease (by applying directly to mouth), breast cancer, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, increasing exercise tolerance, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and lyme disease. Some people think CoQ10 will treat hair loss related to taking warfarin, a medication used to slow blood clotting.

CoQ10 is a fat soluble, vitamin like compound that seems to have many health benefits. It is involved in the production of cellular energy and serves as an antioxidant. These properties make it helpful in the preservation of cells and the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases. CoQ10 has been shown to help improve heart health and blood sugar regulation, assist in the prevention and treatment of cancer and reduce the frequency of migraines. It could also reduce the oxidative damage that  leads to muscle fatigue, skin damage and brain and lung diseases. CoQ10 can be found as a supplement that seems to be well tolerated. Additionally, it’s found in some foods like animal organs, vegetables and legumes. Since CoQ10 production decreases with age, adults could benefit from more of it. Whether you consume more foods with a high CoQ10 content or take supplements, CoQ10 could benefit your health.