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| Co-enzyme Q10 : sustainer of life and energy? from an article edited by Rohit Mehta Note: The information on this website is presented
for educational purposes and This document was provided by Rohit Mehta B.Sc. is Director of the Hale Clinic, Regent’s Park Crescent, London Also known as ubiquione because it’s ubiquitous, meaning it exists in every one of the body’s cells, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is essential, acting as a catalyst in the creation of energy that cells need for life. The body can’t survive without CoQ10, state Emile Bliznakov M.D. and Gerald Hunt, authors of The Miracle Nutrient Coenzyme Q10 (Bantam). Once body levels of this nutrient become more than 25% deficient, many diseases may begin. These can range from high blood pressure and heart disease to immune system deficiencies and cancer. Moreover, if CoQ10 levels in the body drop much below 75% deficiency, life can no longer be sustained. CoQ10 supports cellular energy production by helping create adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s primary source of energy. Cells, particularly muscle cells, produce ATP with fuel released from foods - glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, various enzymes oxygen and CoQI0. CoQ10 is also an important antioxidant, providing protection from oxidative damage occurring in fat-soluble media such as cell membranes, which are composed of fatty adds. As such, it also works with vitamin E to prevent damage to lipid membranes and plasma lipids. Like other antioxidants, CoQ10 also offers protection against accumulation and deposit of oxidized fats in blood vessels, which can lead to arteriosclerosis (Molecular Aspects of Medicine, 1994, vol. 15). In medicine, CoQ10 has shown therapeutic value in treatment of heart disease, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, periodontal disease, immune deficiency, diabetes and ‘AIDS’. The body makes CoQ10 from the amino acids tyrosine and methionine. Although CoQ10 is available in food, the therapeutic amounts needed far exceed what the body can make or absorb from food. CoQ10 sources include fish, fish oils, vegetable oils, organ meats and the germs of whole grains, which are also the best source of vitamin E, which synergistically enhances CoQ10’s effects. CoQ10 exists more abundantly in the cells of some organs than in others. Organs that require the largest supplies of energy to function, such as the heart and liver, have high concentrations of CoQ10. Body levels of CoQ10 are influenced by factors such as stress, cold, illness, hormone concentrations, drugs and physical activity. Periodontal Disease Periodontal disease which affects the tissues that support the teeth, including the gums, accounts for more lost teeth in adulthood than any other dental problem. This condition can cause facial disfigurement, pain, an inability to eat leading to malnutrition and the anti-social stigma of profound halitosis. Up to 9 out of 10 adults in the West will suffer some form of periodontal disease in their later lives and as a result 1 in 4 of them will lose all their teeth before the age of 60. A constant feature of periodontal disease is a deficiency of coenzyme Q10 in the gum tissue cells. This finding led many researchers to study what would happen if coenzyme Q10 were given to restore gum levels to normal. The results were quite enlightening in that most of those treated responded dramatically to the therapy combined with regular periodontal care. Drugs and CoQ10 Many drugs adversely affect the production of CoQ10, and supplementation with CoQ10 can reduce the adverse effects associated with these medications. Drugs commonly used to lower cholesterol such as Lovastatin also inhibit the manufacture of CoQ10. Common psychotropic drugs (drugs that modify mood or behavior), including antidepressants, have also been shown to inhibit CoQ10-dependent enzymes. And CoQ10 may help prevent some of the side effects of beta-blockers, drugs that help decrease blood pressure. Sports Nutrition Q10 may provide extra help for athletes, who experience higher oxidative stress. Tissue levels of CoQ10 are known to increase with endurance training (Journal of Applied Physiology, 1987, vol. 63). In one study, healthy men aged 20 and up were supplemented with 60 mg of CoQ10 over the course of eight weeks, resulting in improved exercise capacity (Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q10. 1981. vol 3) Coenzyme Q10 and Breast Cancer ln 1993, Dr Karl Folkers, a leading researcher on Coenzyme Q10, reported that people with cancer had lower levels of Coenzyme Q10 and that those with cancer of lung, colon and prostate lived longer when they took supplemental doses of this coenzyme. A study published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (1994:199) shows a benefit for women with breast cancer. Thirty-two women with breast cancer were supplemented with antioxidants, fatty acids, and 90mg of Coenzyme Q10. Six of the patients showed some partial tumor regression. Two of these women were given a daily dose 300- 390mg of Coenzyme Q10. In two months their tumors disappeared. Other cases also showed dramatic results. The Need For Supplementation Although there are metabolic pathways for the body to make coenzyme Q10, supplementation becomes necessary when synthesis becomes impaired. This may occur as a result of a nutritional deficiency in one or more of the components required by the body to make coenzyme Q10. There may be a genetic or acquired defect in the ability of the body to manufacture it. Alternatively, there may be an increased body need for coenzyme Q10 as a result of a particular medical state or tissue need. Apparently, one of the key factors is simply aging. Which CoQ10? When taking a dietary supplement of Q10 it is important to use a formulation that the body can readily absorb. Scientists at the State University Hospital in Copenhagen, who have considerable experience with Q10, use only Q10 which has been dissolved in soya oil and made up in a soft gelatin capsule. Studies have shown this formulation produces optimal and reliable bio-availability. One experiment showed that Q10 in soft gelatinecapsules increased the level in the blood 2.7 times. Granular or powder forms were much less effective, and Q10 in tablet form had no measurable effect on blood levels. reproduced with permission |