| CoQ10 is used in the production of energy within | | | | this to happen, there must be an adequate supply |
| each and every cell. It plays two important roles, | | | | of CoQ10 to keep production going. |
| serving both as an energy producing catalyst and | | | | |
| as a powerful antioxidant. | | | | CoQ10 as AntioxidantAntioxidants are vitamins, |
| | | | minerals, and enzymes that can counteract the |
| How Cells produce Energy | | | | damaging effects of the physiological process of |
| Cells produce energy by combining fats and | | | | oxidation in animal tissue. |
| carbohydrates with oxygen. This takes place in a | | | | Oxidation damage occurs when free radicals are |
| part of each cell known as the mitochondria, and | | | | involved. Free radicals are chemically active atoms |
| the actual biochemical reactions that produce | | | | or molecular fragments that have one or more |
| energy occur along electron transport chains | | | | unpaired electrons. This makes them very |
| within the mitochondria. | | | | unstable and they will try to even out their |
| The energy produced by these chemical reactions | | | | electron pairs by either taking electrons from or |
| is converted to chemical energy in the form of | | | | donating electrons to other substances. |
| adenosine triphosphate, or ATP molecules. ATP is | | | | Free radicals scavenge the body in the effort to |
| the source of energy the body relies on for all its | | | | give or take electrons and can create massive |
| inner workings, and it also represents the reserve | | | | cellular damage in the process. |
| energy in your muscles. | | | | An antioxidant is a substance which gives up |
| CoQ10 serves a unique function in this process. | | | | electrons easily, and thus can function to |
| Because it is fat-soluable, CoQ10 is mobile within | | | | neutralize free radicals and prevent them from |
| the cellular membrane and it serves as a | | | | damaging cells. As an energy carrier, CoQ10's |
| "messenger link". Each pair of electrons in the | | | | molecular structure makes it an ideal antioxidant. |
| transport chain must first interact with CoQ10, | | | | It is constantly going through a cycle of oxidation |
| which provides the "spark" for the chemical | | | | and reduction, during which it easily gives up one |
| reactions that make up the energy-producing | | | | or both electrons and is an effective free radical |
| process. | | | | neutralizer. |
| Without CoQ10, there is no "spark" to trigger the | | | | Both Functions Crucial to Health |
| biochemical reactions that lead to the production | | | | CoQ10's benefits in disease treatment and |
| of energy, and no ATP is produced. The body | | | | prevention as well as antiaging stem from both its |
| only stores enough ATP to sustain vigorous | | | | role in cell energy production and from it's |
| activity for a few minutes at a time, so ATP | | | | powerful antioxidant qualities. |
| must be produced constantly. And in order for | | | | |