Coenzyme Q 10

Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, ubidecarenone, coenzyme Q, and abbreviated at times to CoQ10.This fat-soluble substance, which resembles a vitamin, is present in all respiring eukaryotic cells, primarily in the mitochondria. It is a component of the electron transport chain and participates in aerobic cellular respiration, which generates energy in the form of ATP. Ninety-five percent of the human body's energy is generated this way. Therefore, those organs with the highest energy requirements, such as the heart, liver and kidney, have the highest CoQ10 concentrations.

Levels of CoQ10 in your body decrease as you age. CoQ10 levels have also been found to be lower in people with certain conditions, such as Heart Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, High Blood Pressure, Periodontal Disease, Diabetics, Parkinsons Disease, certain muscular diseases and AIDS.*

Some other causes of CoQ10 deficiency include:

• Nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B6 deficiency
• Genetic defects in CoQ10 synthesis or utilization
• Increased demands by tissues as a consequence of disease
• Mitochondrial diseases Oxidative stress due to aging
• Side effects of statin treatments

CoQ10 is found in meat, fish and whole grains. The amount of CoQ10 found in these dietary sources, however, isn't enough to significantly increase CoQ10 levels in your body.

Research on CoQ10 use for specific conditions and activities shows:

• Heart conditions. CoQ10 has been shown to improve symptoms of congestive heart failure. Although findings are mixed, CoQ10 might help reduce blood pressure. Some research also suggests that when combined with other nutrients, CoQ10 might aid recovery in people who've had bypass and heart valve surgeries.
• Parkinson's disease. Early research suggests that high doses of CoQ10 might be beneficial for people in the early stages of this progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement.
• Statin-induced myopathy. Some research suggests that CoQ10 might help ease muscle weakness sometimes associated with taking statins. Migraines. Some research suggests that CoQ10 might decrease the frequency of these headaches.
• Physical performance. Because CoQ10 is involved in energy production, it's believed that this supplement might improve your physical performance. Research in this area has produced mixed results, however.

Source:www.mayoclinic.org

There is no established ideal dose of CoQ10. Studies have used doses of CoQ10 ranging from 50 milligrams to 1,200 milligrams in adults, sometimes split into several doses over the course of a day. A typical daily dose is 100 milligrams to 200 milligrams. Follow the instructions on the bottle or get advice from your doctor or a dietitian. Keep in mind that different supplement brands might have different ingredients and strengths.

Standard dose of CoQ10 ranges from 100 mg to 200 mg per day. Doses up to 500 mg seem well tolerated, and several studies have used even higher doses without any serious side effects.

Because CoQ10 is a fat-soluble compound, its absorption is slow and limited. However, taking CoQ10 supplements with food can help your body absorb it up to three times faster than taking it without food.

Additionally, some products offer a solubilized form of CoQ10, or a combination of CoQ10 and oils, to improve its absorption.

Your body does not store CoQ10. Therefore, its continued use is recommended to see its benefits.

Supplementing with CoQ10 appears to be well tolerated by humans and have low toxicity. In fact, participants in some studies showed no major side effects taking daily doses of 1,200 mg for 16 months.

 

Source:www.healthline.com