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COENZYME Q10 (CoQ10)

Benefits of CoQ10
* Promotes Heart Health
* Lowers Blood Pressure
* Inhibits Cholesterol Oxidation
* Helps Periodontal Disease
* Enhances Immune Function

CoQ10: Essential for Energy
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a nutrient that is essential for the body to turn food into energy. CoQ10's role is similar to that of a spark plug in a car engine. Just as the car cannot function without the initial spark, the human cannot function without CoQ10. Unfortunately, CoQ10 levels can decline with advancing age. Although CoQ10 is found in all plant and animal sources, optimal doses cannot be achieved through common diets. Organ meats are the richest source of CoQ10, but few eat these foods regularly. Supplementation is therefore needed to achieve optimal CoQ10 levels.

Supporting Heart Health
CoQ10 is one of the most important nutrients for maintaining the health of the heart. The heart contains twice as much CoQ10 ass any other organ or tissue in the body. CoQ10 is needed for the heart to keep up its constant production of energy. CQ10 can even help heal the hearts of those slated for heart transplants so that they no longer need them.1 A wide range of heart conditions benefit from CoQ10 supplementation, including angina, mitral valve prolapse, and perhaps cardiomyopathies and congestive heart failure. Paradoxically, medications thought to promote hearth health may lower CoQ10 levels. Lovastatin can decrease levels of CoQ10, sometimes to the point of leading to heart and liver damage.2 Those on statin medications should supplement with CoQ10.

Lowering Blood Pressure
One hundred milligrams of CoQ10 per day has been found to lower blood pressure while also raising protective HDL cholesterol and lowering total cholesterol.3

Enhancing Immune Function
Studies indicate CoQ10 may have dramatic immune-enhancing effects. Older adults as well as those with HIV in particular may benefit from CoQ10.4

Promoting Gum Health
CoQ10 may help those with periodontal disease heal their gums more quickly. Topical application of CoQ10 may be more effective than taking it orally.5

Supporting Cancer Patients
Cancer patients taking chemotherapy drugs that are associated with heart toxicity such as adriamycin should consider CoQ10 because it can reduce the toxicity of these drugs. One human study suggested that 390 mg of CoQ10 per day may help support overall wellness and recovery in those with breast cancer.6

Supplement suggestions for CoQ10:
The therapeutic dosage range of CoQ10 is 30 to 400 mg per day. Consuming CoQ10 with an oil or fat improves absorption unless you buy a supplement that provides the fat source along with the CoQ10. A novel water soluble form of CoQ-10 known as Q-Gel may be up to four times better absorbed that regular coQ10.7
If you are taking any medications, or are using CoQ10 to help with any health condition, take it with the guidance of your health care professional.

References
1. Folkers, K.,P. Lansjoen and P.H. Langsjoen, Therapy with coenzyme Q10 of patients in heart failure who are eleigle or ineleigble for a transplant. Biochem Res Commun, 1992. 182(1): p.247-53.
2. Folkers, K., et al., Lovastatin decreases conenzyme Q evels in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1990 87(22): p. 8931-4
3. Digiesi, V.,, et al., coenzyme Q10 in essential hypertension. Mol Aspects Med, 1994 15(Suppl): p. s257-63.
4. Folkers, K, et al., Coenzyme Q10 increases T4/T8 ratios of lymphocytes in ordinary subjects and relevance to patients having the AIDS related omplex. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1991. 176(2): p. 786-91.
5. Hanioka, T., et al., Effect of topical application of coenzyme Q10 on adult periodontitis. Mol Aspects Med, 1994. 15(Suppl): p s241-8.
6. Lockwood, K., et al., Progress on therapy of breast cancer with vitamin Q10 and the regression of metatstases. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1995. 212(1): p: 172-7.
7. Chopra, R.K., et al., Relative bioavailability of conenzyme Q10 formulations in human subjects. Int Vitam Nutr Res, 1998. 68(2): p. 109-13.

The above information is for educational purposes only. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. CoQ10 is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.