By: Svetlana Pasarić |
Coenzyme Q10 - the energy of our body |
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Lately, we are hearing more and more about the strangely named food supplement called Coenzyme Q10.
Also known as CoQ10 or ubiquinone, this supplement has become popular in recent years.
But is it really so miraculous? Or is it yet another trend in the modern world of nutrition?
What is Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is a natural substance found in our body and helps convert food into energy.
Coenzyme Q10 was discovered in 1957 by Professor Fredrick L. Crane.
Dr Peter Mithchel explained its role in our body in 1961, for which he received the Nobel Prize.
Coenzyme Q10 is one of the most powerful substances in the human body – it is essential for the maintenance of biological processes in the body.
CoQ10 is participating in the creation of energy in every cell of our body. It acts as a catalyst in the process of converting food into energy, which occurs in the mitochondria of cells.
Life without coenzyme Q10 is not possible - in the absence of this important nutrient our bodies simply cannot function.
Maximum concentrations of coenzyme in human body are when we are around 22-23 years of age. However, after we reach 35-40 years of age, the amount of coenzyme Q10 in the body begins to fail due to impaired liver function.
Most people older than 40 have 30% deficiency of coenzyme Q10, which increases with age.
Lack of Coenzyme Q10 can also be contributed to poor nutrition, stress, infections, chronic diseases, and some medications.
Our heart has the greatest need for coenzyme Q10.
Coenzyme and heart health
From the moment of its discovery, CoQ10 has been used successfully as an adjunct treatment of many cardiovascular diseases, such as:
- ischemia
- heart failure
- arrhythmia
- high blood pressure
- angina
- arteriosclerosis
- prevention of heart attack and stroke.
Coenzyme Q10 increases the elasticity of blood vessels and prevents the oxidation of LDL, which causes a buildup of plaque on the walls of blood vessels and causes their tightness.
The accumulation of plaque, which results in atherosclerosis, is the major cause of high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack, kidney problems, angina, etc.
Knowledge about the impact of coenzyme Q10 on the heart is being actively implemented by the Japanese. In Japan, millions of people use coenzyme Q10 as an essential drug for the treatment of heart and blood vessel diseases.
Coenzyme Q10 and Parkinson's disease
Results of double-blind placebo-controlled studies have confirmed the effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 on Parkinson's disease. It is proven that this natural ingredient slows the development of Parkinson's disease by as much as 40%.
If one of your close ones suffers from this disease, you must be horrified by the suffering through which people go trough because of the side effects of the so-called "remedies" against Parkinson's disease.
These drugs slow the progression of the disease to some extent, but they also have terrible side effects.
In many parts of the world, coenzyme Q10 is now used for treating Parkinson’s disease instead of conventional drugs used by the mainstream medicine, , which is also effective therapy, but the one that is not harmful to health and does not cause unpleasant side effects.
The recommended amount of coenzyme Q10 in Parkinson's disease is 1,200 mg per day.
Coenzyme Q10 for vitality and energy
The basic unit of energy used by mitochondria in our cells is ATP and coenzyme Q10 is the only substance that our body uses to create this "fuel".
In the absence of Coenzyme Q10, our muscles do not function properly and the aging process is accelerated.
And vice versa - intake of coenzyme Q10 provides energy and improves memory and increases physical stamina, which is especially popular among athletes.
Coenzyme Q10 for a better immunity
To combat pathogenic microorganisms, our immunity needs large amounts of energy. In such situations, Coenzyme Q10 supports our immunity.
Coenzyme Q10 works at the cellular level, providing support to cells that are responsible for recognizing and destroying pathogenic viruses and bacteria.
Coenzyme Q10 has shown very good results in the fight against infections, including AIDS. In fact, by ingesting this important nutrient immune response speed is increased by 57%.
Coenzyme and gum disease
Studying gum disease, scientists have found that infected gums are missing coenzyme Q10.
Clinical trials have been conducted, which confirmed the association between coenzyme Q10 and gum disease.
Internal application of coenzyme Q10 significantly improved the condition of the gums and the immune response to the infection of the gums.
In addition to internal use, it is recommended and local application of coenzyme Q10, which is particularly effective for gingivitis and periodontitis.
Besides the above-mentioned diseases, Coenzyme Q10 has shown significant effects on:
- allergies
- chronic fatigue
- Alzheimer's disease
- weight loss
- migraines
- improving the quality of sperm.
A powerful antioxidant
Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant – it protects the body from free radicals that cause premature aging, destroy healthy cells and increase the risk of many diseases.
Antioxidants such as CoQ10 can neutralize free radicals and prevent the damage that they cause.
Coenzyme Q10 also helps to preserve vitamin E - the main antioxidants in our cell membranes.
Sources of Coenzyme Q10
Our body receives and synthesizes CoQ10 from food.
Most of coenzyme Q10 is contained in animal products. Vegetarians can obtain sufficient amounts of this nutrient from extra virgin soybean, olive, grape and rapeseed oil.
Coenzyme Q10 can be also consumed in the form of dietary supplements.
If you think you can benefit from the consumption of coenzyme Q10, you can find it in our webshop.
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