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Coenzyme Q10 

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Coenzyme Q10 

Coenzyme Q10 or Co-Q10 is a vitamin-like substance present in large quantities in organs with highest energy requirements – such as Heart. It is necessary for the basic functioning of cells but its levels decline with age and in chronic heart conditions. Co-Q10 is the major contributor in the energy production in cells, protects the body from harmful free radicals, helps lower blood pressure, improves blood vessel function and blood flow, has anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic benefits and even helps in recovery after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Helps lower blood pressure and improves blood vessel function and blood flow:

·         Its antioxidant property helps protect the heart from harmful free rodicals, which contributes to the progression of heart disease.

·         Majorly contributes in the energy production in cells in the form of ATP.

·         Provides anit-inflammatory benefits to heart

·         Drugs used to lower cholesterol (like statins-atorvastin, rosuvastation, simvastatin etc) also deplete Coenzyme !0 levels in the body and supplemental Coenzyme Q10 helps replenish.

                           

Coenzyme Q10 the Sparkplug of Life and Longevity

Every single biological or chemical process that occurs in the human body requires energy. To put this into context, the human body contains 100 to 200 trillion cells, with each cell continuously performing chemical reactions that require energy throughout its lifespan.

It is safe to say that the amount of energy the human body needs on a daily basis is likely to be a massive number. But more importantly where does the body get its energy from and does it make enough energy to keep us healthy and promote longevity?

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) could be considered the spark plug of life due to its key role in energy production. While the body can produce CoQ10 it is a complex process. CoQ10 production declines with advancing age and in the presence of complex or multiple health conditions.

What is Coenzyme Q10?

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat soluble antioxidant and is found in different forms such as Ubiquinol, Ubiquinone and Ubidecaronene. This is partly because of its chemical structure but also because of its ‘ubiquitous’ nature as it is found in every cell in the body. CoQ10 is a key cofactor in the efficient production of energy in the body, this means high energy body organs such as the heart, adrenal glands, kidneys, lungs, liver, spleen andskeletal muscle all having higher CoQ10 requirements.

How does the body make energy?

The food we eat provides energy for our body’s cells to function; therefore it makes sense to follow a healthy diet. When food has been digested and absorbed it is then put to work in many different ways. While glucose from carbohydrates and sugars are the preferred energy source, the body can also use breakdown products from dietary fats and protein. Mitochondria are tiny cellular structures found in ALL cells and provide the necessary machinery to make cellular energy. Hence the more energy required by an organ or cell the more mitochondria that cell has.  

Mitochondria continuously produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is the body’s universal unit of energy. ATP is a molecule that provides fuel for ALL the body’s biological or chemical processes that continuously occur in our 100 to 200 trillion cells on a daily basis. Is it any wonder we often get tired and run out of energy? 

Other nutrients known to support energy production include B-group vitamins, magnesium, acetyl-L-carnitine, creatine phosphate and having adequate iron stores. Having good thyroid and adrenal gland function is also important for energy, good health and enjoyment of life.

CoQ10 and healthy ageing:

The ‘mitochondrial theory of ageing’ proposes that excess free radical damage and oxidative stress causes damage to delicate mitochondrial structures. Over time this leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, reduced energy production, increased wear and tear, accelerated ageing and a shorter lifespan.

CoQ10 plays a dual role. Not only does it protect delicate mitochondrial structures from free radical damage due to its antioxidant capacity, it also plays a key role in the clean and efficient production and conversion of energy or ATP. With sufficient energy the body is able to function more efficiently, delaying the ageing process and the development of many of the chronic diseases associated with ageing.

CoQ10 is well known for its ability to protect the heart and cardiovascular system but it also protects every cell in the body. There is growing evidence supporting the role of CoQ10 in protecting the brain and nervous system. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and dementia have been associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. CoQ10 is also important in maintaining normal brain function in all age groups and lower levels have been found in people who experience migraine and mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Other areas of research include asthma, eye heath, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and age related immune system decline.

Prescription medicines can deplete CoQ10:

Many widely used prescription medications can deplete CoQ10 from the body, reducing energy production, increasing fatigue, muscle aches and pains and reducing quality of life. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should report them immediately to a health professional.

Some medication examples include metoprolol a beta blocker to lower blood pressure; statins or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors such as simvastatin and atorvastatin to lower cholesterol; thiazide diuretics; metformin for type 2 diabetes and tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline.

If you think your medication may be impacting on your energy levels, consult a health professional, you may benefit from CoQ10 supplementation.

In fact a study found the addition of CoQ10 to enalapril a commonly used blood pressure medication, enhanced blood pressure control and normalised blood vessel or endothelial function in patients with ‘essential hypertension’.¹

Another study published in Atherosclerosis in 2011 showed that 8 weeks of CoQ10 supplementation at 300 mg per day improved heart muscle function during the pumping or systolic phase, by enhancing mitochondrial performance and blood vessel function.²

Summary:

So you can see CoQ10 is essential for healthy ageing, levels decline as we age.. The body depends heavily on CoQ10 for antioxidant protection and that extra spark to help mitochondria burn fuel more cleanly and efficiently. This increases energy or ATP production and reduces mitochondrial free radical damage to help slow the ageing process.

Total body health depends heavily on maintaining mitochondrial integrity. Reducing mitochondrial damage and enhancing performance with CoQ10 supplementation can enhance energy levels, quality of life and longevity.  This is vitally important in individuals on long term medications known to deplete CoQ10 levels especially if they are experiencing fatigue and or ongoing muscle aches and pains.