Co Enzyme Q10

[Demon Deacon]

* Background


*


Structure


*** Coenzyme Q10 (also known as CoQ10, Q10, vitamin Q10, ubiquinone, or ubidecarenone) is made in the human body. The term "coenzyme" denotes it as an organic, nonprotein molecule necessary for the proper functioning of its protein partner (an enzyme or an enzyme complex). The "Q" and the "10" in the name refer to the quinone chemical group and the 10 isoprenyl chemical subunits, respectively, that are part of this compound's structure.



****It was isolated in 1857 and in 1958 the precise chemical structure of CoQ10 was determined as 2,3 dimethoxy-5 methyl-6 decaprenyl benzoquinone. In 1978 Peter Mitchell won the Nobel Prize for his contribution of understanding of biological energy transfer through the formulation of the chemiosmotic theory, which includes the vital protonmotive role of CoQ10 in energy transfer systems.


*


Absorption


****Coenzyme Q could best be described as a fat soluble nutrient (not a vitamin since we can make it). It is very similar in structure to vitamin K and vitamin E. According to this, research supports the idea that oil-based suspension of coenzyme Q10 absorbs better than forms that lack oil.


*


Characteristics


*** Coenzyme Q10 is used by cells of the body in a process known variously as aerobic respiration, aerobic metabolism, oxidative metabolism, or cell respiration. Through this process, energy for cell growth and maintenance is been generated by mitochondria.


*


****Coenzyme Q10 is also used by the body as an antioxidant that helps to prevent cellular damage from free radicals created during intense exercise and during the generation of energy. An antioxidant is a substance that protects cells from free radicals, which are highly reactive chemicals, often containing oxygen atoms, capable of damaging important cellular molecules such as DNA and lipids. In addition, the plasma level of coenzyme Q10 has been used, in studies, as a measure of oxidative stress.


*


*** Coenzyme Q10 is present in the mitochondria of most tissues, but the highest concentrations are found in the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Tissue levels of this compound decrease as people age, due to increased requirements, decreased production, or insufficient intake of the chemical precursors needed for synthesis.


*


Dietary Sources *


*****It is contained in most meat products, especially organ meats like the heart, liver and kidneys. Other sources include eggs, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, rice, wheat, corn, sardines and mackerel. Various nuts like pistachios, walnuts, peanuts, chestnuts, and almonds contain CoQ. Sesames seeds are a source also. Unfortunately, even the amounts contained in the richest sources aren’t enough to correct a CoQ deficiency. For example 3.5oz of sardines contain around 6.4 mg., peanuts-2.7mg. etc. Therapeutic dosages usually range from 30mg to 60 mg. Daily and severe problems may require 100mg. daily. As with most vitamins, CoQ levels are lowered when food is cooked or processed.

*


*** Purported Health Effects *





Theory


******* The theory of CoQ10 supplementation posits that consumption of CoQ10 increases tissue and*mitochondria CoQ10 levels to optimal cellular energy production, as well as serving an antioxidant*function.


*


Values *




Slows the aging process



Increases energy



Strengthens the heart



Improves immune function



Promotes weight loss



Enhances endurance and aerobic performance



Lowers blood pressure



Healing of periodontal tissue



Treatment for infertile men



*


Scientific Support


*


*** Since CoQ10 levels peak around age 20 and decline with age, it seems logical* that supplemental*CoQ10 might be beneficial in older adults. Besides, Q10’s antioxidant effect may contribute a lot on organic degradation result from aging.


*


******* The antioxidant effects of CoQ10 are well established. A number of studies have shown that CoQ10 reduces the initiation and propagation of lipid peroxidation in cell membranes and in lipoprotein fractions. Additionally, combined supplementation of CoQ10 plus vitamin E produces a synergistic antioxidant effect on lipoproteins and "spares" the vitamin E.**** *


*


****Most of these investigations have focused on coenzyme Q10 as a*treatment for cardiovascular disease. It was found that Q10 has highly effective*in preventing the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), which*leads to atherosclerosis. 50mg daily for 4 weeks resulted in improvements in*dyspnea, heart rate, blood pressure, and ankle edema. Cardiac patients**supplemented with CoQ10 prior to heart surgery tend to recover sooner and*maintain blood and tissue levels of CoQ10 better than patients not receiving supplements. Finally, individuals taking cholesterol-lowering medications*(HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors such as pravastatin) may benefit from CoQ10*supplements because these medications can reduce blood levels of CoQ10.


*


****In patients with cancer, coenzyme Q10 has been shown to protect the *heart from anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (anthracyclines are a family of chemotherapy drugs, including doxorubicin, that have the potential to damage the heart) and to stimulate the immune system. Stimulation of the immune system by this compound has also been observed in animal studies and in humans without cancer. In part because of its immunostimulatory potential, coenzyme Q10 has been used as an adjuvant therapy in patients with various types of cancer. Evidences also suggest that analogs of this compound are able to suppress cancer growth directly. Analogs of coenzyme Q10 have been shown to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells in vitro and the growth of cancer cells transplanted into rats and mice. In view of these findings, it has been proposed that analogs of coenzyme Q10 may function as antimetabolites to disrupt normal biochemical reactions that are required for cell growth and/or survival and, thus, that they may be useful for short periods of time as chemotherapeutic agents.*





****


*** Many overweight people have very low levels of CoQ10 and supplementation may enable them to lose weight due to the effect of CoQ10 in speeding up the metabolism of fats.


*


****Due to its essential role in energy metabolism, CoQ10 has also been implicated as an athletic performance enhancer. Strenuous physical exercise reduces blood levels of CoQ10 and supplementation with 60-90 mg/day has been found to improve athletic performance (maximum oxygen consumption, aerobic and anaerobic thresholds) in endurance athletes. An adequate level of CoQ10 in the body is essential to proper muscle functioning and several studies have indeed shown that supplementation with 100-150 mg/day of CoQ10 markedly improves the condition of people suffering from muscular dystrophy However, research in this area has been conflicting - with some studies**showing a benefit and others showing no effect.


*


*** CoQ can reverse high blood pressure when used alone or in conjunction with other medication. Studies in Japan and at the University of Texas in Austin showed that patients taking 60 mg of CoQ daily, routinely had a reduction in the systolic pressure of 20 points and diastolic reductions of 10 or more points. (Remember, systolic pressure is the top number and generally considered normal under 140. Diastolic is the lower number with normal being below 90.) CoQ has no effect on people with normal blood pressure.


*





****Healing of periodontal tissue (the gums of the mouth) may require increased energy production; therefore, researchers have explored the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation in people with periodontal disease, which has been linked to coenzyme Q10 deficiency. Double blind research shows that people with gum disease given coenzyme Q10 achieve better results than those given placebo.


*


*** Synthesis of sperm requires considerable energy. Due to its role in energy production, coenzyme Q10 has been studied in infertile men. Preliminary research reports that supplementation of coenzyme Q7, a related molecule, increased sperm counts in a group of infertile men.


****


*** Who is likely to be deficient?


*


****Deficiency is poorly understood, but it may be caused by synthesis problems in the body rather than an insufficiency in the diet. Low blood levels have been reported in people with heart failure, cardiomyopathies, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), morbid obesity, hypertension, muscular dystrophy, AIDS, and in some people on kidney dialysis. Coenzyme Q10 levels are also generally lower in older individuals. The test used to assess coenzyme Q10 status is not routinely available from medical laboratories.


*


*** Dosage and preparations


*


*** In humans, normal blood levels of coenzyme Q10 have been defined variably, with reported values ranging from 0.30 to 3.84 micrograms per milliliter.


*


*** CoQ10 has a good safety profile. Daily doses of 50-100mg are well tolerated. Reported side effects are rare, but tend to be various forms of epigastric distress (heartburn, nausea, stomach ache) which can be prevented by consuming the supplement with a meal.


*


*** Several companies distribute coenzyme Q10 as a dietary supplement. In the United States, dietary supplements are regulated as foods not drugs. Therefore, premarket evaluation and approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are not required unless specific health claims are made. Because dietary supplements are not formally reviewed for manufacturing consistency, there may be considerable variation from lot to lot.


*


****To conduct clinical drug research in the United States, researchers must file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA. Since the existence of an IND application is often highly confidential, it is not known whether one has been submitted or approved for the study of coenzyme Q10 as a treatment for cancer.


*


*** In animal studies, coenzyme Q10 has been administered by injection (intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, or subcutaneous). In humans, it is usually taken orally as a pill (tablet or capsule), but intravenous infusions have been given. Coenzyme Q10 is absorbed best with fat; therefore, lipid preparations are better absorbed than the purified compound. In human studies, supplementation doses and administration schedules have varied, but usually have been in the range of 90 to 390 milligrams per day.


*


*


*** Contraindications and adverse effects


*


*** No serious toxicity associated with the use of coenzyme Q10 has been reported. Doses of 100 milligrams per day or higher have caused mild insomnia in some individuals. Liver enzyme elevation has been detected in patients taking doses of 300 milligrams per day for extended periods of time, but no liver toxicity has been reported. Researchers in one cardiovascular study reported that coenzyme Q10 caused rashes, nausea, and epigastric (upper abdominal) pain that required withdrawal of a small number of patients from the study. Other reported side effects have included dizziness, photophobia (abnormal visual sensitivity to light), irritability, headache, heartburn, and fatigue.


*


*** Certain lipid-lowering drugs, such as the "statins" (lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin) and gemfibrozil, as well as oral agents that lower blood sugar, such as glyburide and tolazamide, cause a decrease in serum levels of coenzyme Q10 and reduce the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation. Beta-blockers (drugs that slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure) can inhibit coenzyme Q10- dependent enzyme reactions. The contractile force of the heart in patients with high blood pressure can be increased by coenzyme Q10 administration. Coenzyme Q10 can reduce the body's response to the anticoagulant drug warfarin. Finally, coenzyme Q10 can decrease insulin requirements in individuals with diabetes.


*


*

[Bryan2]

Good posting

[southrnathletic]

nice post

[M302_Imola]

Interesting...might try this out as my blood pressure is a little high 133/88

[DrHealth]

Vanadyl Sulfate , L arginine, Co Q 10 and Flax Seed oil will do the trick.