What is Co-Enzyme Q10: Benefits, Side Effects and Dosages

Co-enzyme Q10 is also known as ubiquinone and is commonly abbreviated as CoQ10.

This is an oil-soluble vitamin-like substance that is present throughout the human body, especially within the cell mitochondria.

This nutritional supplement is also a component of the electron transport chain, participates in aerobic cellular respiration, and plays a vital role in generating energy in the form of ATP. Researchers estimate that as much as 95% of human body’s energy is generated in this manner.

Co-enzyme Q10 is a popular anti-aging supplement and it has also been shown to improve brain performance and health.

CoQ10 was discovered in 1957 by Dr. Frederick Crane in the mitochondria from the cells of beef hearts. In the human body, this substance is most prevalent in organs with the highest energy requirements like the heart and liver.

There has been a large amount of research conducted on this supplement, especially since the 1980’s. Although there is still much we do not know, it does appear that CoQ10 has a number of beneficial properties including acting as a powerful anti-oxidant.

Coenzyme Q10

Energy Supplement

Heart Health

Energy

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Aids in cellular energy production
• Effective anti-oxidant to combat aging
• Supports cognitive performance & wellbeing

Dosage:

Between 30 - 600 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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CoQ10 as an Anti-Oxidant:

Anti-oxidants fight damaging particles and materials in the body known as free radicals.

These tiny fragments of damaged or oxidized cell particles can lead to all types of trouble including degrading cell membranes, tampering with our DNA, and causing the death of certain cells.

Scientists think that free radicals contribute to the aging process, along with increasing the risk of other health problems like heart disease and potentially even certain types of cancer.

CoQ10 is able to neutralize free radicals, preventing further damage and possibly even helping to reverse some already existing free radical damage.

As an anti-oxidant, CoQ10 is also able to rid the body of additional chemicals and toxins which are harmful. Some researchers think that CoQ10 plays a role in helping to recharge other anti-oxidant nutrients to their active states. It is known to have a vital part in keeping other beneficial materials and chemicals working as they should.

It also provides a strong overall defense for your cells, tissues, and organs and synergizes well with other highly potent anti-oxidants as part of a life extension or longevity promoting stack.

Benefits Of CoQ10:

If you are interested in improving the health and functioning of your brain, there are a lot of reasons to take CoQ10. Individuals with higher levels of this nutrient have been found to display greater mental acuity, energy levels and performance in various cognitive tests.

If you have low levels of this compound, you are more likely to experience brain fog, slow or sluggish mental processing, difficulty remembering as we as general cognitive decline. One study conducted by UCSD found adequate levels of CoQ10 can lead to a 44% decrease in the rate of brain deterioration due to aging.

Scientists know that this damage is much harder to reverse once it occurs, but taking nutrients like this enzyme early enough can increase your chances of avoiding age-related dementia and memory loss.

The benefits of this supplement are wide-ranging and extend well beyond brainpower. There have been studies suggesting that subjects who took CoQ10 after suffering a heart attack (within 3 days) were less likely to have subsequent heart attacks and suffered less chest pain and discomfort. These patients were also less likely to die of heart disease than those who did not take the supplement.

The same can be said for using CoQ10 to help treat heart failure, especially when the supplement is combined with conventional medications. Oftentimes people with congestive heart failure have a naturally reduced level of CoQ10.

This supplement can also reduce swelling in the legs, fluid in the lungs, increase exercise capacity, and make breathing easier for asthmatics or anyone engaging in strenuous exercise.

CoQ10 is also thought to help reduce high blood pressure. This benefit of supplementation may take some time to show up, possibly as long as 4 to 12 weeks, according to a number of clinical studies in this area.

But studies have shown the ability of this supplement to reduce systolic blood pressure by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic pressure by as much as 10 mm Hg, all without significant side effects.

It has also been noted that people with high cholesterol tend to have lower levels of CoQ10. More research is needed, but this supplement has been proposed as a treatment for high cholesterol. It may even help to reduce some of the side effects caused by statin drugs including some of the associated pain.

CoQ10 Dosage:

A recommended daily dosage for CoQ10 has not yet been established. Having said this, a general range can be established by looking at studies on CoQ10 to see what clinical doses were used. Based on this, plus a number of expert opinions, it would appear appropriate to recommend a dosage of CoQ10 in the range of 30 to 200 mg per day.

CoQ10 Side Effects:

This supplement is considered safe and well-tolerated in most adults. However, there is the possibility of drug interactions, so always check with your doctor before adding a new supplement to your routine.

As far as known side effects go, the only thing you are likely to see is some occasional stomach upset and limited reports of insomnia. Some researchers have expressed concerns that using high levels of CoQ10 for long periods of time can elevate certain liver enzymes.

If you are concerned about this possibility, you may want to look into alternatives such as Idebenone or Uniquinol which are similar to CoQ10 with a slightly different mechanism of action.

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