CoQ10: Health Supplement for Anti-Aging

Researchers of one study found that “CoQ10 is an anti-aging substance under normal physiological conditions.” This was under testing in mice using doses that would be the human equivalent of 500 mg to 1700 mg per day. Although their research suggested that 1700 mg per day may induce cognitive impairment, these researchers admitted that, “it would be fair to comment that the upper safe limit of 1200 mg per day recommended by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) is lower than the estimated 1700 mg per day that would lead to cognitive impairment in humans.” In other words, use in moderation like everything else.

Ubiquinone, another name for coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) comes from the word “ubiquitous,” meaning “everywhere” – a fitting name since it is found in and essential to every cell of the human body. Unfortunately, levels of CoQ10 produced by the body decrease with age by as much as 70%, and with the development of certain diseases such as Parkinson’s , asthma, and heart disease. Scientists have been studying CoQ10 for many years, and it is now one of the most popular health supplements in the world due to the discovery of it’s amazing health benefits. Another study found CoQ10 to be a promising treatment for Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Super Antioxidant for Energy Nutrition

The Japanese began studying CoQ10 in the 1960s to treat heart disease. Since then, it has been widely used in Japan, Israel and Europe, and is becoming very popular in the United States. The best evidence for the benefits of supplemental CoQ10 are its ability to reduce symptoms of congestive heart failure. CoQ10 is also useful in managing high blood pressure, easy angina, and warding off coronary artery disease, and it speeds recovery time after coronary artery bypass surgery. Trials have shown that taking CoQ10 after having a stroke helps alleviate symptoms and prevents the recurrence of future strokes. Other studies suggest that CoQ10 is useful taken prior to elective heart surgery.

Fight Disease

Most heart patients are deficient in CoQ10, and supplementing with CoQ10 has dramatically improved heart function and improved heart disease symptoms according to certain studies. Research suggests that CoQ10 me be beneficial for almost any heart condition, such as angina, arrhythmia, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and cardiotoxicity associated with some cancer chemotherapy drugs.

One important study suggests that CoQ10, taken in combination with Acetyl-n-carnitine and omega-3 fatty acids may be useful in the treatment of macular degeneration. Another study found that CoQ10 prevents migraine headaches. CoQ10 is sometimes recommended to treat male infertility because it increases sperm count and sperm movement. Many naturopathic doctors recommend taking CoQ10 for treating breast cancer, and preliminary studies show that this enzyme has a beneficial effect against prostate tumors.

Other studies show that CoQ10 is effective in tempering symptoms of fibromyalgia and gum disease. Research suggests that CoQ10 is also useful in treating Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, bronchitis, and emphysema. This is truly one of the super supplements.

Still more research suggests that CoQ10 helps strengthen immune system and improve exercise endurance. CoQ10 appears to also protect against the side effects of certain prescription medications including certain psychiatric drugs, blood pressure lowering medications, and Statin cholesterol-lowering drugs. These medications deplete the body’s store of CoQ10, which is one reason they should be avoided.

Experts believe that CoQ10 works by improving the production of energy in cells, especially cells that require significant amounts of energy, such those located in the heart and brain. About 95% of the energy in your cells is produced from structures called mitochondria. CoQ10 facilitates the transformation of fats and sugars into energy. It is this ability to increase energy at the cellular level that lies at the heart of CoQ10’s amazing healing and health inducing powers. CoQ10 is also a powerful antioxidant, meaning that it can reduce the effects of free radical molecules that damage cells in the body. CoQ10 has also shown to energize brain cells and increase mental alertness, and may even reverse brain degeneration. This would make it a front line therapy in the fight against brain diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Many studies have shown that CoQ10, when taken in conjunction with standard prescription medications such as drugs for high blood pressure, may allow a reduction in the dosage of prescription medications and even their elimination. This is very exciting news. It is becoming clear that many conditions now treated with prescription medications can be better treated with natural health supplements, and CoQ10 is one of the best. Alternative health specialists have been saying this for decades, and the evidence is beginning to prove us correct.

A good supplemental dose of CoQ10 lies in the range of 100-200 mg per day for general maintenance. If you are treating serious illness, or you want to slow your aging process, in conjunction with an anti-aging regime your dosage may be considerably higher. 500 mg to 1000 mg per day is a target range for treating various diseases and for anti aging. There have been some reports that doses higher than 200 mg per day may induce side effects such as nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dizziness in some people. However, there is no reason for a healthy adult to take more than 200 mg a day for general health. If you want to treat a disease or are interested in anti-aging, There are things you can do to reduce the side effects. For example, it is often reported that side effects are reduced when supplements are taken with food. Also, start with a smaller dose, and gradually increase the amount so your body has a chance to adapt to the supplement.

In order for CoQ10 to be used by the body, It must first be broken down in the body to its active metabolite called ubiquinol. Therefore, the best way to take CoQ10 is in the ubiquinol form. This is very important, as it allows for much higher blood levels of CoQ10 while taking smaller amounts. Studies show that the ubiquinol form of CoQ10 can increase blood levels up to eight times more than the standard form. By taking CoQ10 in the ubiquinol form, side effects can be greatly reduced. This is great news for those who were unable to tolerate CoQ10 due to its side effects.

CoQ10 may be one of the top 10 super supplements in the world.