Coenzyme Q-10

 

The best in the world at the best price!

 

Home Page Anagen.net Shop on line - The available products

 

ORDER FORM - ORDER THIS PRODUCT ON LINE

 

COenzyme Q-10 Kordels 50 75mg tablets NZ$ 65, 150 50mg tablets NZ$ 169

 

What Is It?

One of the world's most popular supplements, the chemical coenzyme Q₁₀ has generated great excitement as a heart disease remedy and a cure for countless other conditions. The body naturally produces this compound, which has been dubbed "vitamin Q" because of its essential role in keeping all systems running smoothly. In fact, the scientists who identified coenzyme Q₁₀ in 1957 initially honored its ubiquitous presence--it's found in every human cell and in all living organisms--by naming it "ubiquinone." Small amounts are also present in most foods.

A member of a family of compounds called quinones, coenzyme Q₁₀ (sometimes called Co Q₁₀) works in concert with enzymes (hence the name "coenzyme") to break down and convert food into energy. It is particularly abundant in high-energy-demanding cells, such as those found in the heart. In addition, coenzyme Q₁₀ acts as a powerful antioxidant to prevent the cellular damage caused by unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals.

Health Benefits

Extravagant claims have been made for coenzyme Q₁₀, many of which require further investigation. Still under examination, for example, is whether it can truly slow the progress of Parkinson's disease, boost stamina in AIDS patients, stabilize blood sugar levels in diabetes sufferers, enhance athletic ability, improve circulation in Raynaud's disease, fight allergies and stave off the retina deterioration associated with macular degeneration. Skeptics also question the value of taking coenzyme Q₁₀ in pill form. They contend that it loses its potency while traveling through the digestive tract.

On the other hand, there is evidence to indicate that coenzyme Q₁₀ does work for certain disorders. Most importantly, it appears to support the heart muscle's strenuous efforts to beat 100,000 times a day. Without adequate levels of this enzyme, the heart muscle can become weaker and less efficient at pumping blood through the body. Coenzyme Q₁₀'s popularity as a heart supplement is well established in countries such as Sweden, Italy, and Canada. In Japan, up to 10% of adults take coenzyme Q₁₀ regularly.

Specifically, coenzyme Q₁₀ may help to:

Treat heart disease, especially congestive heart failure. Heart disease sufferers tend to be relatively deficient in coenzyme Q₁₀. When levels are boosted by supplements, heart function appears to be enhanced. In addition, the compound's antioxidant properties may inhibit artery-clogging plaque buildup and potentially fatal blood clots.

People with congestive heart failure, in which a weakened heart pumps inefficiently, may stand to benefit the most from coenzyme Q₁₀ supplements. In a 12-month placebo-controlled trial of more than 2,500 people suffering from this disease, 80% experienced an improvement in symptoms--less ankle swelling and shortness of breath, and better color and sleep habits--when they supplemented their standard medications with a daily 100 mg dose of coenzyme Q₁₀. They were also far less likely than placebo-takers to require hospitalization for their condition. Rates of death from the disease did not change, however.

Not all studies have reported benefits, though. In a recent six-month trial of 46 individuals with moderate to severe congestive heart failure, those assigned to take coenzyme Q₁₀ (rather than a placebo) experienced no apparent improvement in heart function or symptom relief. Clearly more research is needed to prove conclusively that coenzyme Q₁₀ is effective for this potentially fatal disease.

Treat angina and arrhythmias. The intense chest pain known as angina may occur less frequently under the influence of coenzyme Q₁₀'s heart-enhancing actions. In lightening the heart's workload and steadying heart rhythm, coenzyme Q₁₀ may be particularly useful for people who suffer from irregular heart beats (arrhythmias) following a heart attack.

Control high blood pressure. More than a third of people suffering from high blood pressure--a serious but symptom-free ailment known as the silent killer--are believed to have inadequate amounts of coenzyme Q₁₀. Taking the supplement regularly may help to lower elevated blood pressure and protect against complications of the disease.

Prevent and treat cancer. Coenzyme Q₁₀'s antioxidant actions can be enlisted to stop the free-radical damage believed to cause certain cancers. Several small studies have shown a benefit for people with breast or prostate cancer. Other findings indicate that coenzyme Q₁₀ boosts the immune system, possibly helping to limit the spread of cancerous tissue. Clearly more research is needed.

Counter Alzheimer's disease and memory loss, and provide general anti-aging benefits. Because the body's production of coenzyme Q₁₀ slows with age, some doctors routinely recommend the supplement to anyone over age 50. Indeed, many people take it as a general energy enhancer; others take it to fight age-related memory loss. Its antioxidant actions have even been enlisted to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, a memory-robbing, degenerative disease most common in older individuals. Further research is needed to flesh out exactly how supplemental coenzyme Q₁₀ and its antioxidant properties might positively affect the aging process.

Fight weight gain, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Parkinson's disease, and HIV/AIDS. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, coenzyme Q₁₀ helps provide the spark that generates the body's energy on a very basic, cellular level.

Without adequate stores of this nutrient, the body will have fewer resources with which to to fight off frequently debilitating disorders such as chronic fatigue, fibromylagia, and Parkinson's disease. Even HIV infection may benefit. Getting adequate stores of the nutrient can, at a minimum, help ensure proper muscle function and overall stamina. Smooth energy use on the cellular level may also help in countering weight gain.

Treat gum disease. For people with periodontal disease who must undergo oral surgery, low doses of coenzyme Q₁₀ may promote healing. The supplement is also thought to limit post-surgery gum pain and bleeding. A 1995 review of coenzyme Q₁₀ concluded that there was little sound evidence to support this use, however.

Note: Coenzyme Q₁₀ has also been found to be useful for a number of other disorders. For information on these additional ailments, see our Dosage Recommendations Chart for Coenzyme Q₁₀.

Dosage Information

For congestive heart failure, angina, fibromyalgia, and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease: Take 100 mg twice a day.

For arrhythmias, high blood pressure, anti-aging actions, gum disease, and cancer prevention: Take 50 mg twice a day.

For supplementing conventional cancer therapy: Take 200 mg every morning.

Be sure to check our our Dosage Recommendations Chart for Coenzyme Q₁₀, which lists therapeutic dosages for specific ailments at a glance.

Take coenzyme Q₁₀ with food. As a fat-soluble compound, it is absorbed most efficiently when consumed with a food containing some fat, such as peanut butter. For the same reason, look for capsules or tablets that contain coenzyme Q₁₀ in an oil base (such as soybean or another oil).

Keep coenzyme Q₁₀ out of direct light. Store it in a cool area (but not the freezer).

You may have to take coenzyme Q₁₀ for two months or more before seeing any improvement in your condition.

The supplement can be expensive (a daily dose of 100 mg can cost about $40 a month). Shop around for the lowest price on a quality product.

General Interaction

Certain heart medications--statins for high cholesterol, beta-blockers for high blood pressure--may deplete or in other ways lower coenzyme Q₁₀ levels in the body. Ask your doctor about supplementing your heart-treatment regimen with coenzyme Q₁₀.

 There are no other known drug or nutrient interactions associated with coenzyme Q₁₀.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects are uncommon, even at high doses.

Rarely, coenzyme Q₁₀ can cause nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, or appetite loss.

Cautions

Heart disease is a serious condition. If you suffer from it, talk to your doctor about taking coenzyme Q₁₀ along with conventional medications. It should never be used as a substitute for proven therapies.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, don't take coenzyme Q₁₀ supplements; its safety in this group of women has not been established.

About Anagen.net          |          How to advertise           |           Privacy Policy           |           Legal Disclaimer           |           Site resolution

 

Recommend this site to your friends           |           Anagen.net complete site in Italian language