CoQ10 Nutrient Reference

The CoQ10 Nutrient Reference is a guide to information, research, and the health benefits of the popular and effective CoQ10 nutrient. Below is a brief description of what CoQ10 is, though you can learn more about CoQ10 benefits by clicking the links on the left. To the right are where you can buy CoQ10 nutritional supplements.

CoQ10 (aka: Coenzyme Q10, ubiquinone, ubidecarenone, Q10, and Vitamin Q10) is a powerful antioxidant which is known to be crucial for the production of cellular energy. CoQ10 is found in highest concentrations in the heart, where it increases circulation, metabolizes fats, and maintains the flexibility of cell membranes. CoQ10 research regarding these health benefits has lead CoQ10 to be one of the most sought after nutritional supplements.

CoQ10 or Coenzyme Q10 is a compound that occurs naturally in the body. Coenzymes (like CoQ10) are nutrients necessary to the proper function of enzymes - proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body. The "Q" and "10" in CoQ10 refer to the compounds chemical structure.

CoQ10 History in Brief

CoQ10 was first isolated in 1957 and CoQ10's chemical structure discovered just a year later. Interest in CoQ10's benefits as a cancer treatment arose in the early 1960's, when it was noted that Coq10 was deficient in cancer patients - CoQ10 was especially deficient in those with breast cancer.

Since the early days of CoQ10, a large amount of CoQ10 research has been conducted. Research into energy systems involving CoQ10 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1978). CoQ10 as a cancer treatment gained support when CoQ10 research showed it stimulates immune systems in animals. CoQ10 increases activites of macrophages as well as T-cells, and CoQ10 has also been shown to increase resistance to infection.

Coenzyme Q10 has also been reported to increase immunoglobin G antibody levels, and the Cd4 to CD8 T-cell ratio in humans - proteins found on the surface of T-cells. These two proteins, which are increased by CoQ10, identify "helper" and "cytotoxic" T-cells respectively - both of which are known to be deficient in cancer patients. CoQ10 research has since shown the coenzyme to be a powerful antioxidant.

It has been concluded that CoQ10 is an effective adjuvant therapy for cancer. This means that Coenzyme Q10 is used as a treatment following primary cancer treatment, and that CoQ10 improves the effects of the initial treatment. CoQ10 is an effective way to improve energy, heart health, mental capacity, and overall immunity.

CoQ10 Health Benefits at a Glance

CoQ10's health benefits are both numerous and great. Since its discovery in 1957, an increasing amount of CoQ10 research has uncovered CoQ10's health benefits. From antioxidant, to heart support, to immune strengthener, CoQ10 has held its own as one of the most potent and popular nutritional supplements on the market today. A brief look at CoQ10's health benefits:

• CoQ10 is an Antioxidant - CoQ10 prevents the oxidation process from arriving at completion. CoQ10 is a very effective antioxidant and works well as an adjunct to other antioxidants.
• CoQ10 improves Heart Health - CoQ10 is found most abundantly in the heart and therefore an imbalance or deficiency of CoQ10 there can lead to many common heart problems. Many drugs which reduce cholesterol actually also reduce CoQ10 levels in the heart. Supplementing heart health drugs with CoQ10 is a healthier way to combat heart problems.
• CoQ10 strengthens the Immune System - CoQ10 reinforces T-cells, increases antibody counts, increases the production of blood cells. CoQ10 has been shown to increase overall resistance to many viral diseases.
• CoQ10 preserves healthy brain function - the brain cells' membranes erode with age, often due to oxidative stress, and CoQ10 combats this erosion. CoQ10 also combats certain dangerous neurotoxins in the brain shown to cause cell death. CoQ10 is particularly important for stroke victims, for whom brain membrane protection is especially critical to a healthy recovery.
• CoQ10 is used as a Cancer Treatment - CoQ10's ability to reinforce and increase the production of T-cells has lead to its use as an adjunct treatment to primary treatments in the battle against cancer. CoQ10 is used particularly in cases of breast cancer.
• CoQ10 stimulates weight loss - in addition to improving heart function and energy production, CoQ10 increases the metabolism of fats and hence can stimulate healthy weight loss.
• CoQ10 increases energy production - CoQ10 is involved in the energy production in every cell of your body. Maintaining a healthy amount of CoQ10 ensures that you are able to produce as much energy as your cells are capable of - rather than letting energy go unsynthesized due to a CoQ10 deficiency.
• CoQ10 combats degenerative disease - CoQ10 has been used successfully at improving the lives of patients suffering from degenerative disease. CoQ10 slows cell death in patients suffering from Parkinsons disease. CoQ10 increases energy of patients suffering from Huntingtons disease. Research is currently being done to see whether or not CoQ10 can be used to slow the effects of Alzheimers.