The Many Benefits of COQ10
Coenzyme Q10, often called COQ 10 or CO Q10, is a nutrient that occurs naturally in the body. Coenzyme Q10 has been shown to benefit heart disease, atherosclerosis and hypertension.
Scientists are also seeing the benefits of coq10 in treating diabetes and Parkinson's disease, lowering cholesterol, and in preventing and lessening the severity of migraines. CoQ 10 also seems to have antioxidant and anti-aging properties.
What is COQ10?
CoQ10 is an enzyme that occurs naturally in the mitochondria of every cell in your body. It plays a key part in metabolizing energy from food. Coenzyme Q10 was first isolated in 1957. Since then, scientists have studied its effects on a wide variety of illnesses and conditions. CoQ10 is essential in the production of energy in your body, and is found in large concentrations in tissues that use a lot of energy, like your heart.
Research has shown that CoQ10 is essential for heart health because it helps lower cholesterol, discourages atherosclerosis and lowering high blood pressure.
What Are The Health Benefits of CoQ10?
While the major focus of research into the health benefits of CoQ10 has been in the area of heart disease, a number of studies have highlighted other health benefits of CoQ10.
Specifically:
CoQ10 prevents migraine. A 2002 study reported that 61% of patients treated with CoQ10 as a migraine preventive reported 50% fewer migraines at the end of three months.
CoQ10 increases energy. Studies on the effect of CoQ10 supplements in people with chronic fatigue syndrome showed that those with higher levels of CoQ10 reported higher levels of energy than those with deficient levels of the enzyme.
CoQ10 helps reduce inflammation. A 2004 study reported in Lancet magazine showed that higher levels of CoQ10 were associated with enhanced benefits from treatment with Vitamin E.
CoQ10 can reduce high blood pressure. Patients treated with CoQ10 showed the same reduction of blood pressure as those being treated with traditional pharmaceuticals - which have far more damaging side effects.
CoQ10 reduces the damage caused by Parkinson's Disease. One very promising avenue of research suggests that CoQ10 substantially reduces the damages caused by Parkinson's disease. In a small study, the patients treated with the highest levels of CoQ10 showed significantly less impairment to their motor functions than those on lower doses.
CoQ10 can help people who are waiting for heart transplants. In a study undertaken in 2004, doctors found that that "the administration of CoQ10 to heart transplant candidates led to a significant improvement in functional status, clinical symptoms, and quality of life."
General Safety Advisory
~The information in this document does not replace medical advice.
~Before taking an herb or a botanical, consult a doctor or other health care provider
-especially if you have a disease or medical condition,take any medications, are pregnant or nursing, or are planning to have an operation.
~Before treating a child with an herb or a botanical, consult with a doctor or other health care provider.
~Like drugs, herbal or botanical preparations have chemical and biological activity. They may have side effects. They may interact with certain medications. These interactions can cause problems and can even be dangerous.
~If you have any unexpected reactions to an herbal or a botanical preparation, inform your doctor or other health care provider.
