CoQ10 Information and Health Benefits

What CoQ10 Is

CoQ10 (aka: Coenzyme Q10, ubiquinone, ubidecarenone, Q10, and Vitamin Q10) is a benzoquinone compound necessary for every living cell in the human body. We can break CoQ10 down into it's chemical components:

• CoQ10 - The "Co" in CoQ10 stands for "Coenzyme". An enzyme is a protein which initiates chemical reactions in the body, necessary to almost all bodily functions. A coenzyme like CoQ10 assists in the proper functioning of enzymes or enzyme complexes. So CoQ10 is necessary in assisting your body in performing its critical functions. The distinction as Coenzyme Q10 shows that it is organic, or that it contains carbon atoms. However, CoQ10 itself is not an enzyme or a protein, but a non-protein molecule.
• CoQ10 - The "Q" in CoQ10 stands for "quinone", or the quinone chemical group. Quinone (aka: benzoketone) is an important chemical compound, crystalline in form. It is regarded as a double ketone, a product of broken down fat that accumulates in the blood. CoQ10 itself is a quinone - but don't let that confuse you.
• CoQ10 - The "10" in CoQ10 stands for the 10 isprenyl chemical subunits that are part of CoQ10's structure.

CoQ10 Health Benefits

What CoQ10 Does

As mentioned above, CoQ10 is a non-protein coenzyme. CoQ10 is used in every cell of the body during the process of aerobic respiration (aka: aerobic metabolism, oxidative metabolism, and cell respiration). Specifically, CoQ10 creates energy during the Kreb's Cycle by transferring electrons between cytochromes. In this manner, CoQ10 helps create energy for cell growth in your cell's mitochondria.

CoQ10 as an Antioxidant

CoQ10 is an endogenous antioxidant, an antioxidant produced in the cells. Antioxidants like CoQ10 are compounds that protect the cell from "free radicals", or highly reactive chemicals often containing oxygen molecules. Free radicals damage important cellular components like DNA. This can result in premature aging, skin discolorations, and an overall decrease in the bodies efficiency. CoQ10 levels often are used as a measure of oxidative stress in the body - a state where levels of antioxidants like CoQ10 are deficient.

CoQ10 acts as an antioxidant by neutralizing free radicals in the body. Free radical damage is strongly linked to major degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer - supplementation of CoQ10 when deficient can slow damage in these situations.

CoQ10 and Heart Disease

CoQ10 is stockpiled in the heart, when enough is available to the body. Aside from its antioxidant properties, as outlined above, CoQ10 offers numerous other health benefits for those suffering from heart problems. Much of CoQ10 research has revolved around treatment for cardiovascular disease (heart disease).

Coenzyme Q10 has been shown to protect the heart from anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Anthracycline are a family of chemicals used in chemotherapy treatment that damage the heart. CoQ10 protects against cardiotoxicity, essentially poisoning of the heart.

CoQ10 is often used to treat damage already done to the heart. Heart repair is one of the most common clinical applications of CoQ10. Beyond being a treatment, CoQ10 can also be taken as a preventative, to prevent damage to the heart and valves. CoQ10 is often taken to prevent heart attacks, as well.

CoQ10 and the Immunity

CoQ10 creates energy and aids in all cells, including those which improve immunity. Specifically, CoQ10 has been shown to reinforce T-cells and increase antibody and macrophage count. Therefore, CoQ10 increases resistance to infection from various sources.

CoQ10 has been reported to increase immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels, and the CD4 to CD8 T-cell ratio in humans. These are necessary to fend off cancer.

CoQ10 and Brain Health

One of the earliest seen effects of aging through oxidative stress is a decline in brain function. CoQ10 combats the erosion of the brain cell's membranes as a result of oxidative stress - a deficiency of antioxidants (like CoQ10) in the body. This goes along with CoQ10's normal antioxidant properties.

Brain damage and decline with age is also a result of the accumulation of dangerous neurotoxins in brain cells. CoQ10 diffuses and evacuates these neurotoxins, thus preventing the cell death associated with them.

CoQ10 is especially important for stroke victims. Stroke victims, whose brains have sustained serious damage, require retention of their remaining brain cells for effective recovery. During the period of recover, when the brain is at high risk of sustained damage, CoQ10 can act as a sentry against that which seeks to do damage to the brain in its weakened state.

CoQ10 and Energy Production

CoQ10 plays an important role in the energy-producing system of aerobic respiration and the Kreb's cycle. CoQ10 is concerned primarily with the transport of electrons in the mitochondria, and therefore with the production of energy in cells. A deficiency of CoQ10 in the cells can result in reduced energy production, and an overall sense of weariness and lassitude.

CoQ10 and 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.