Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ 10 Benefits

What is coenzyme Q10 or CoQ 10? What happens if there is coenzyme Q10 deficiency? When should you take coenzyme Q10 supplement? What are CoQ 10 side effects?

Coenzyme Q10, CoQ 10 or ubiquinone is also sometimes referred to as vitamin Q10 because it is a vitamin-like substance. CoQ 10 is a natural compound found in the mitochondria.

A mitochondrion is one of the sub cellular components found in large numbers in most cells and especially in the heart, liver and skeletal muscles. Mitochondria are energy producing center of cells. In the mitochondria, CoQ 10 is involved in the process of respiration and energy production. It helps convert foods such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy in the form of ATP or adenosine triphosphate.

The ATP being an energy carrying molecule provides the cells the required chemical energy to do all cellular functions such as the production of protein and activities such as thinking and muscle contraction.

You can get coenzyme Q10 from foods such as organ meat like the beef heart and fatty fish like mackerel, salmon and sardine. CoQ 10 is also found in foods such as peanuts, soybeans and spinach. Humans synthesize CoQ 10 in all tissues, especially in the liver. It is then stored in the mitochondria.

A healthy person can maintain the levels of CoQ 10 in the body by getting it from the diet. Coenzyme Q10 deficiency occurs as a person ages and it is depleted as a result of intense physical exercise, a chronic disease, intake of red yeast rice and some prescription medications.

When there is a deficiency of CoQ 10, some of the effects include fatigue, muscle aches and pains, gum disease, muscle damage. It also increases the risk of breast cancer and some other medical conditions.

Coenzyme Q10 is a fat soluble antioxidant and is able to dissolve in fats and oils. Antioxidants are substances that help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules produced in the process of oxidation during normal metabolism.

CoQ 10 is able to stimulate the immune system, neutralize free radicals, protect the body and fight against damaging compounds in the body that can cause cell death and damage to the DNA. What it means is this coenzyme Q 10 may help prevent many chronic diseases or stop the development of diseases.

So, let's now look at CoQ 10 benefits.

Preventing and Treating Cancer

Based on a trial, 6 breast cancer patients who took CoQ 10 supplement showed no mammographic evidence of the tumor at the end of the trial period. In another study when mice with melanoma or skin cancer were given CoQ 10 for 24 hours, the result showed that CoQ 10 was able to cause the cancer cells to destroy themselves.

Studies also found that most cancer patients have low level of CoQ 10 in their blood. Doctors think that there is a relationship between low CoQ 10 and the advanced stage of cancer.

Even though these findings on CoQ 10 benefits in treating and preventing cancer have not been approved by the FDA, taking CoQ 10 supplement may benefit your overall health because there are other additional benefits of CoQ 10. However, most doctors would advice against taking coenzyme Q10 supplement during radiation treatment as the antioxidant will make the treatment less effective in killing the cancer cells.

Maintenance of Heart Health

Another one of CoQ 10 benefits is in the maintenance of cardiovascular health. Preliminary studies found that people with hypertension have low level of CoQ 10 in their blood and taking CoQ 10 supplement may reduce blood pressure.

Some studies pointed that CoQ 10 benefits include relieving symptoms of congestive heart failure or CHF such as fatigue, shortness of breath and the inability to sleep.

Other CoQ 10 benefits include preventing and treating a range of diseases and conditions that affect the heart such as arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, cardiomyopathy or deterioration of the heart muscles and high cholesterol which is one of the major risk factors leading to heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Protection Against and Treating Gum Diseases

Dental plaque which is the deposit of bacteria is one of the major causes of gum diseases. Serious gum disease such as periodontitis can lead to bad breath, elongated teeth, loose teeth and tooth loss. Clinical studies show that low level of CoQ 10 in the gingiva or gums is another contributing factor that cause gum diseases.

The gums require CoQ 10 for energy to fight the bad bacteria. And taking coenzyme Q10 supplements may help heal and repair the gum tissues. You can also use toothpaste and mouthwash containing CoQ 10 to maintain your gum health.

Other CoQ 10 Benefits

1. Wrinkle creams and other skin care products include coenzyme Q10 because of its antioxidant effect and ability to delay skin aging. Applying CoQ 10 cream on the skin protects the skin from external damages such as the sun ray. The substance penetrates the skin instead of just providing a protective layer like sunscreens do.
   
   
   
2. Other CoQ 10 benefits include slowing down the progression of the symptoms of a genetic disorder called muscular dystrophy such as muscle weakness, lack of coordination and progressive crippling.
   
   
   
3. A placebo controlled study funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke on 80 patients at 10 centers suggest that coenzyme Q10 supplements may slow the rate of deterioration in Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system and among the symptoms includes tremor, rigid muscles and mental clarity.
   
   
   
4. Coenzyme Q10 may also help people with tinnitus or ringing in the ear because it was found that one of the causes of tinnitus is a low level of CoQ 10.
   
   
   
5. Studies also suggest that CoQ 10 benefits include the potential to increase sperm count and fertility, treat renal or kidney failure, speed up recovery from surgery and cancer treatments, reduce the frequency or occurrence of migraine headache and treat the symptoms of chronic fatigue.
   
   
   
6. People with Alzheimer's disease take CoQ 10 to assist in slowing down the progression of dementia or the loss of brain function which affects memory, language, thinking and judgment.
   
   
   
7. Diabetics may also benefit from taking CoQ 10 as it may help manage blood sugar, high cholesterol and high blood pressure associated with the disease.
   
   
   
8. If you are taking cholesterol lowering medication or statin, it will reduce your natural CoQ 10 level and also cause side effects such as muscle pain. One of CoQ 10 benefits is its ability to supplement the depletion and yet does not affect the effectiveness of the medication.
   
   
   
9. If your diet includes red yeast rice or red yeast rice supplement because of its cholesterol lowering effect, you should also take CoQ 10 supplement.
   
   
   
10. Many people also include CoQ 10 supplements to boost athletic performance and to support weight loss.

Side Effects of Coenzyme Q10

There have been numerous preliminary studies on coenzyme Q10. So far there is no known toxicity associated with taking CoQ 10 supplements. However, some people may experience stomach upset.

The important thing to remember when you take CoQ 10 is to follow the recommended dosage. Most often the dosage is between 30mg to 100mg a day taken with meal to enhance absorption.

If you are pregnant, lactating, have a medical problem or on prescription medication such as blood pressure, blood thinning and chemo medication, you should seek your doctor's advice before taking CoQ 10 supplement.

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