Coenzyme Q10 - A Brief Description


 

Coenzyme Q10, (CoQ10) also known as ubiquinone has been receiving an increasing amount of attention over the past 5 years for its cardio-protective abilities.

CoQ10 is a fat-soluble molecule synthesized from cholesterol and located predominantly in mitochondria (the cell's powerhouse) where it plays a vital role in energy production.

Specifically CoQ10 is crucial for the proper transfer of electrons through the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Given that heart muscle requires a tremendous amount of energy to function properly, it is not unusual that significant levels of CoQ10 can be found in heart muscle.

Since CoQ10 levels have been found to be lower under certain circumstances, researchers have been investigating the effect that supplemental CoQ10 can have on heart function.

Not surprisingly, numerous clinical studies have demonstrated improvements in functional parameters of the heart in patients with congestive heart failure after supplementation with CoQ10. CoQ10 treatment prior to bypass procedures has also yielded more positive outcomes when compared with patients who did not receive supplementation.

CoQ10 levels have also been shown to be reduced in patients taking statin drugs, as cholesterol is required for the synthesis of CoQ10 in the body.

CoQ10 has been shown to be an effective antioxidant, protecting against lipid peroxidation, DNA and protein oxidation and is also capable of functioning synergistically to help regenerate other antioxidants.

The research community continues to find strong data indicating the benefits from supplementation with CoQ10, especially in the area of cardiovascular health as it relates to congestive heart failure.

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