| CoQ10 is one of the most exciting new | | | | neutralize free radicals and prevent them from |
| discoveries in the anti-aging field, and the list of | | | | damaging cells. As an energy carrier, CoQ10’s |
| COQ10 benefits for anti-aging therapy is a long | | | | molecular structure makes it an ideal antioxidant. |
| one. | | | | It is constantly going through a cycle of oxidation |
| Coenzyme Q10, commonly known as CoQ10, is a | | | | and reduction, during which it easily gives up one |
| vitamin-like substance that occurs naturally in | | | | or both electrons and is an effective free radical |
| every cell of the human body and is used in the | | | | neutralizer. |
| production of energy at the cellular level. It plays | | | | Both Functions Crucial to Health |
| two important roles, serving both as an energy | | | | Together, CoQ10’s antioxidant properties and |
| producing catalyst and as a powerful antioxidant. | | | | crucial role in the production of energy create a |
| Function One: How CoQ10 Helps Cells Produce | | | | host of benefits in disease treatment and |
| Energy | | | | prevention. In addition, they work together to |
| CoQ10 plays an integral part in the production of | | | | make it a potent anti-aging tool. Many of the |
| energy at the cellular level. Cells produce energy | | | | diseases, disorders, and health problems |
| by combining fats and carbohydrates with oxygen | | | | associated with aging are directly associated with |
| in a part of each cell known as the mitochondria. | | | | free radical damage. |
| The actual biochemical reactions that produce | | | | CoQ10 supplements are often prescribed to aid in |
| energy occur along electron transport chains | | | | recovery from heart surgery, and there is a |
| within the mitochondria. | | | | mounting body of evidence that CoQ10 can play |
| The energy produced by these chemical reactions | | | | a substantial part in preventing heart disease as |
| is converted to chemical energy in the form of | | | | well as in the treatment and prevention of a |
| adenosine triphosphate, or ATP molecules. ATP is | | | | number of age-related disorders, including |
| the source of energy the body relies on for all its | | | | Parkinson’s disease, macular degeneration, and |
| inner workings, and it also represents the reserve | | | | Alzheimer’s disease. |
| energy in your muscles. | | | | Ongoing research is currently evaluating the use |
| CoQ10 serves a unique function in this process. | | | | of CoQ10 in the treatment of migraines, asthma, |
| Because it is fat-soluable, CoQ10 is mobile within | | | | breast and prostate cancer, and HIV/AIDS. |
| the cellular membrane and it serves as a | | | | Need for supplemental COQ10 increases with age |
| “messenger link”. Each pair of electrons in | | | | Extensive research has shown that adequate |
| the transport chain must first interact with | | | | amounts of CoQ10 are necessary to healthy |
| CoQ10, which provides the “spark” for | | | | metabolism and organ function, but the older we |
| the chemical reactions that make up the | | | | get, the less we produce. Normal aging can reduce |
| energy-producing process. | | | | the CoQ10 levels in the heart by as much as |
| Without CoQ10, there is no “spark” to | | | | 72%. In addition, statin drugs a group of drugs |
| trigger the biochemical reactions that lead to the | | | | knows as statins (used to reduce LDL and |
| production of energy, and no ATP is produced. | | | | cholesterol levels and frequently-prescribed for |
| The body only stores enough ATP to sustain | | | | older people) also deplete CoQ10 levels. |
| vigorous activity for a few minutes at a time, so | | | | The side effects of CoQ10 are mild (nausea, |
| ATP must be produced constantly. And in order | | | | diarrhea, and heartburn) and rarely reported, |
| for this to happen, there must be an adequate | | | | though CoQ10 supplementation has been known |
| supply of CoQ10 to keep production going. | | | | to interfere with the action of some prescription |
| | | | drugs such as blood thinners and beta-blockers. |
| Function Two: CoQ10 as Antioxidant | | | | For people who are middle-aged or older, |
| CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant and as such can | | | | supplemental CoQ10 can be crucial to maintaining |
| counteract the damaging effects of free radicals, | | | | good health. While CoQ10 has been shown to be |
| chemically active molecules that are created | | | | an effective form of treatment for some |
| during the normal but potentially harmful process | | | | disorders, the most dramatic reseach results have |
| of cellular oxidation. Free radicals have an uneven | | | | been in the area of prevention. Not only is |
| number of electrons, which makes them unstable. | | | | maintaining good CoQ10 levels a requisite for |
| They scavenge the body in the effort to correct | | | | ongoing heart health throughout middle age and |
| this instability by giving or take electrons from | | | | beyond, it is also believed to be among the keys |
| nearby cells, and can create massive cellular | | | | to the prevention of an assortment of |
| damage in the process. | | | | age-related disorders including Alzheimer’s |
| An antioxidant is a substance which gives up | | | | disease. |
| electrons easily, and thus can function to | | | | |