Coenzyme
Q10:
Miracle Nutrient of
the New Millennium
Arthur
M. Echano, MD, ND, MACNEM
What is Coenzyme Q10?
CoQ10 (Ubidecaronene, Ubiquinone,
Ubiquinone-50) is a vitamin-like substance (quinones) that is found
in every cell of the human body. It is necessary in energy production
in the 70-100 trillion body cells. It helps the enzyme system in
the powerhouse of the cell (mitochondria) to release non-toxic,
efficient energy.
Thinking of these cells as tiny engines, CoQ10 provides the spark
that initiates the energy generating process within cellular mitochondria.
CoQ10 and only CoQ10 can serve as this vital spark in the human
bio-energy system. Without CoQ10 then, no energy can be produced
by the mitochondria. Hence, life won't exist.
1. Have research studies been done
with CoQ10?
For a brief history, CoQ10 was discovered
in the U.S. by Dr. Frederick Crane and his coworkers at the University
of Wisconsin in 1957. A year later, its chemical structure was reported
by Dr. Karl Folkers and his group at Merck Laboratories. Since then,
Dr. Folkers has continued this pioneering research on CoQ10. In
1961, Dr. Peter D. Mitchell of the University of Edinburgh released
his hypothesis on how CoQ10 works. For his significant contribution,
he was awarded the 1978 Nobel Prize for chemistry.
Although discovered in the U.S., the Japanese were the ones who
showed considerable interest in subsequent CoQ10 research. From
1963, Japanese scientists and medical doctors have done numerous
scientific studies on this remarkable healing nutrient. No wonder
then that Japan is the best source of A-1 grade CoQ10.
2. What are the health benefits of
CoQ10?
This is a brief summary of the possible
uses of CoQ10 based on scientific studies:
• Aging & Life Extension:
Retards the aging process, functions as an antioxidant and has life
extension potential.
• Cardiovascular System
a) Stabilizes heart beat in arrhythmic
patients, prevents atherosclerosis, improves prevents the oxidation
of LDL cholesterol.
b) Normalizes blood pressure in
hypertensives, vastly improves the condition ofpersons with cardiomyopathy
& assists the heart to function normally in the presence of
blood clots.
c) Improves the heart's ability
to survive & produce energy in hypoxic (low oxygen) situations:
high altitudes, clogged arteries, blood clots, high fat blood level,
angina.
d) Reduces the viscosity of blood
in persons with ischaemic heart disease.
e) CoQ10 deficiency is observed
in cardiovascular patients.
f) 91% of heart attack victims improve
within 30 days from initial attack with CoQ10!
Cells: CoQ10 is found in almost
every cell of the body.
Digestive System
a) Alleviates peptic ulcer, protects the lining of the stomach &
facilitates the
Elimination of Candida albicans.
b) Concentrates in the pancreas.
Excretory System: CoQ10 concentrates
in the kidneys.
Immune System
a) Increases the life expectancy of patients with cancer of the
breast, lung, larynx, pancreas & prostate.
b) Doubles the body's immune function & protective levels of
antibodies.
c) Increases the body's resistance to viruses, alleviates allergies
& asthma.
d) HIV positive persons with low CoQ10 levels progress more rapidly
to full blown AIDS than those with optimal CoQ10 levels.
Metabolism
a) Improves athletic performance by increasing the body's production
of energy via Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), involves in the conversion
of carbohydrates into energy both in sedentary & athletic persons.
b) Part of the electron transport system, increases stamina &
alleviates the impaired aerobic function that is associated with
fatigue.
c) Increases oxygen supply to the mitochondria & prevents the
accumulation of excess ketones (ketosis).
d) Prevents the LDL peroxidation by free radicals & alleviates
obesity by reducing weight where a deficiency of CoQ10 exists. Obese
persons are often deficient in CoQ10.
e) Alleviates diabetes mellitus. Many of the complications of diabetes
are exacerbated in CoQ10 deficiency.
f) Concentrates in the liver.
Musculoskeletal System
a) Dramatically halts the progression of periodontal disease (e.g.
gingivitis) and can totally heal the damage already done including
the regrowth of previously atrophied tissue.
b) Counteracts the immune system tissue degradation that occurs
in gingivitis.
c) Concentrates in & is involved in the movement of muscles.
Supplementary CoQ10 reduces the extent of damage caused to the muscles
by intensive exercise & athletic performance.
d) Alleviates muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy patients are
usually deficient in CoQ10.
Nervous System
a) Helps to prevent nerve damage that leads to Parkinson's &
Alzheimer's.
b) Alleviates multiple sclerosis & schizophrenia.
CoQ10 Enhances the Function of these
Substances
a) Hormones: CoQ10 facilitates insulin
production by the pancreas.
b) Immune System Chemicals: CoQ10 significantly increases the body's
production of IgG antibodies.
c) Kreb Cycle Chemicals: CoQ10 facilitates mitochondrial ATP production.
d) Drugs: Improves the effectiveness of beta blockers, reduces the
toxic side effects of Doxorubicin & increases the potency of
Doxorubicin in its ability to kill cancer cells by 200%.
e) Vitamins: Helps to regenerate Vitamin E.
3. If CoQ10 is vital to life, how
come it is not a household name yet?
When Dr. Folkers gave his acceptance
speech in 1987 after receiving the prestigious Priestley Medal of
the American Chemical Society for his research on CoQ10 & other
nutrients, he made a comment that although CoQ10 works and is safe,
the reason behind its obscurity is promotional or marketing in nature.
In short, being considered as a food supplement & therefore
non-patentable, not many pharmaceutical companies were interested
in the commercial distribution of this wonderful nutrient.
4. Are medical doctors aware that
such a supplement (CoQ10) with enormous potential health benefits
exist?
Sad to say, even medical doctors
are not familiar with CoQ10? According to Dr. Peter Langsjoen, M.D.,
The answer to this question is found in the fields of politics &
marketing and not in the fields of science or medicine. The controversy
surrounding CoQ10 likewise is political & economic, as the previous
30 years of research on CoQ10 have been remarkably consistent and
free of major controversy.
Although it is not the first time
that a fundamental and clinically important discovery has come about
without the backing of a pharmaceutical company, it is the first
such discovery to so radically alter how physicians must view disease.
While the pharmaceutical industry does a good job at physician education
on their new products, the distributors of CoQ10 are not as effective
at this.
5. Are all CoQ10 the same?
Unfortunately not. With the vast
scientific experience of the Japanese in CoQ10, a good source of
pharmaceutical grade CoQ10 is from Japan. Worldwide, there are only
few companies that can manufacture A-1 grade CoQ10. The purity of
the raw material is an important consideration as far as quality
is concerned.
Properly sourced CoQ10 (Japan) and
an efficient delivery system like phosphates (which increases its
absorbability many times over oil-based CoQ10) are the keys to a
superior quality finished product. According to a newsletter released
by Vitamin Research Products, Inc. of USA, If a product (CoQ10)
is being sold at a price that seems to be too good to be true, it
probably is.
6. What is special about CoQ10 from
Japan?
There are basically two types of
CoQ10 according to source. The more common inexpensive form is the
synthetic type. The other type is the more expensive natural CoQ10,
derived from fermented algae. While the chemical configuration of
both the synthetic and the natural forms of CoQ10 are similar, the
effects are not. Why so?
Algae-derived natural CoQ10 has
more hydrogen proton power (from the sun) than normal hydrogen proton
making it capable to carry more electrons. These extra electrons
are available to be donated to unstable oxygen molecules known as
oxidants or free radicals. With potential free radical damage neutralized
by these electrons, cellular integrity is preserved. There is then
a slowing down of the aging process.
The best way to test the effectiveness
of CoQ10 is through performance. After all, it is efficient cellular
energy production resulting in less free radicals or oxidants produced
that will prevent potential cellular oxidative stress and free radical
damage. And this non-toxic, efficient energy production may become
evident during ergometry testing. A person's performance in ergometric
testing when subjected to a programmed exercise or physical stress
can give us a clue as to mitochondrial function or dysfunction.
Which of course is related to CoQ10 sufficiency or deficiency.
7. Who should take CoQ10 and what
is the right dose?
Considering the dual role of CoQ10
as an energy carrier and an
antioxidant, and with the numerous environmentally-derived oxidants
(free radicals) that deplete our antioxidant reserves, every adult
and those with specific health problems mentioned above should think
of CoQ10 supplementation.
Being fat-soluble, it is poorly
absorbed in the gut, so it should be taken AFTER meals! For preventive
measures, the usual dose is 10-30milligrams (mg) per day. To correct
CoQ10 deficiency, experts suggest from 60-200milligrams (mg) daily.
As absorption rate differs from one person to another, finding the
right dose is a challenge. The normal blood (serum) CoQ10 range
is 0.32-0.88 micrograms (mcg) per milliliter.
8. Is CoQ10 safe?
Purified CoQ10 is a very safe dietary
supplement. The only reported side effects after a megadose of CoQ10
are gut-related like nausea. It takes several weeks of regular daily
intake before health benefits may be observed. Drug interactions
are minimal if any.
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