Coenzyme Q10

Co Q10 and Your Health

When you feel better, you look better.

Coenzyme Q-10 plays an important role in the production of energy within each cell of the human body.

Coenzyme Q-10(Ubiquinone) is a naturally-occurring cofactor in the electron transport chain, the biochemical pathway in cellular respiration, from which ATP and most of the body's energy are derived. Co Q-10 is considered essential for the health of all the body's cells, tissues, and organs. Coenzyme Q10 is found in every cell in the human body and is key to the process that produces 95% of the energy consumed at the cellular level.
Lower levels of energy in cellular mitochondria linked to diabetes.

Coenzyme Q-10 acts as part of another class of substances, known as enzymes. These important compounds are proteins found in plants, animals, humans - all living things. Their role is to facilitate, to act as catalysts, in countless chemical reactions that take place in the human body. In essence, they make reactions happen without themselves being consumed in the reaction. When calcium is turned into bone, an enzyme makes the reaction possible, but the enzyme itself does not end up becoming part of the bone. When we digest our food, when we flex a muscle, when our heart beats, in some way an enzyme is playing a key role.

Enzymes consist of two parts, a protein portion made up of one of a variety of amino acids, and a cofactor portion that is either a mineral (like calcium, magnesium, or zinc) or a vitamin. When a vitamin, the vitamin is called a coenzyme.

Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring vitamin-like molecule that has a structure similar to vitamin K. As part of an enzyme, it acts as a catalyst in the vital biochemical pathway that leads to cellular energy production. Specifically, every cell must have a special substance known as ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which provides all the cell's energy. The energy obtained from the food we eat is used to make this fuel for the cells, and when a cell needs energy, it breaks the bonds that hold the ATP molecule together. When this chemical bond is broken, it releases energy equivalent to approx. 7,000 calories, more than twice the energy a person consumes in an entire day. However, the body, at any given time, only stores enough ATP to sustain vigorous activity for 5 - 8 minutes. Thus, ATP must be produced constantly, and for this ATP to be produced, there must be a ready supply of CoQ10.

This explains why, in particular, COQ10 is found in high concentrations in muscle cells and especially in the muscles that form the heart - because the heart is constantly in motion, it creates a great demand for energy, and at the same time, a need for the CoQ10 to create it. Dr. Stephen Sinatra, a well-known cardiologist, has said, "If there is just one thing you do to help maintain your heart's health, make sure you're taking CoQ-10 daily."

Various studies have found that as we age our body's supply of CoQ10 slowly diminishes. Clearly, it is beneficial to provide the body with an adequate supply of this important nutrient.

Study shows CoQ10 improves hereditary neurological ataxia.

Coenzyme Q-10 is an important part of the "anti-oxidant network", described by Dr. Lester Packer of the U. of California at Berkeley. Isolated in its pure form in 1957, researchers have found it to be an essential substance in cell respiration, electron transfer, and the control of oxidation reactions. A recent review of its therapeutic benefits suggests CoEnzyme Q10 may become a standard therapy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, including angina pectoris and congestive heart falure. CoEnzyme Q10 deficiency has been reported in 60% to 96% of patients with gingivitis. Deficient levels of CoEnzyme Q10 have been found in diabetes mellitus, periodontal disease and muscular dystrophy. No serious side effects have been reported with long term clinical use of CoEnzyme Q10.

Dr. Richard Passwater, Phd., reports in 'Whole Foods Magazine', November 2001, "Overall, I am aware of more than 800 prostate cancer patients who have been treated with CoQ-10, all with uniformly good results." In the same article, author and biochemist Wayne Martin noted successes with CoQ-10 treatment of breast cancer and Parkinson's Disease, especially with long-term usage. In the October 2002 issue of Archives of Neurology a small but promising study reported that CoQ-10 helped to slow progression of Parkinson's. The researchers theorize that CoQ-10 may protect nerve cell function in some yet undiscovered way.
Parkinson's study shows CoQ10 promising.

Health warning: Millions of Americans take statin drugs to reduce cholesterol. All of the statins, Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, Lovacol, etc., inhibit CoQ10 production in the body(and transport, it is believed by some researchers, including Dr. Bliznakov) and thus are a threat to health in general and to heart health in particular.

According to Emile G. Bliznakov, MD, and CoQ10 researcher for decades,

"I unearthed an important aspect of this story within two statin patents. Two U.S. patents were granted to Merck(Pharmaceutical Company) in 1990 describing a method for counteracting the statin-associated myopathy and potential nerve damage caused by statins. The method described was the addition of CoQ10 to compensate for the reduced production of CoQ-10 caused by the statins. Thus the manufacturer itself implicated the serious side effects of statins and the protective role played by CoQ-10 in preventing these statin side-effects. The manufacturer has not disseminated these data for 12 years, which incriminates them seriously."

from Whole Foods Magazine February 2003

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA may lead to reduced ATP energy levels in living cells which can sometimes be corrected with supplemental coenzyme Q10. [Ann Clin Lab Sci 31:25-67, 2001]

When living cells are deprived of oxygen, as seen in tumor cells (called hypoxia), then ATP cell energy levels decline rapidly. The provision of supplemental CoQ10 has been shown to facilitate resynthesis of ATP in functionally impaired mitochondria. [Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 287: 96-108, 1987; Surgery 91:631-7, 1982]

A deficiency of coenzyme Q10 has been described in aging, cancer and when statin cholesterol-lowering drugs are employed. [J Am Coll Nutr 20: 591-98, 2001]

For example, CoQ10 levels in tissue of breast cancer patients are significantly decreased compared to surrounding tissues. [Clin Biochem 33: 279-84, 2000] Breast cancer patients are more likely to exhibit low CoQ10 levels than healthy people. [Biochem Biophys Rres Commun 234: 296-99, 1997]

The provision of supplemental CoQ10 (390 mg) to breast cancer patients has been shown to induce complete regression in some cases. [Biochem Biophys Res Comm 199: 1504-08, 1994; 212: 172-77, 1995] Though only a small group study, the provision of an array of antioxidant supplements including coenzyme Q10 to high risk breast cancer patients has been demonstrated to be beneficial in reducing mortality, spread of cancer and quality of life. [Mol Aspects Med 15: 231-40S, 1994]

Typical supplemental doses of Coenzyme Q-10 are 30 to 300mg per day.
We are occasionally questioned as to why we do not offer the oil 'gel-cap', whose manufacturer makes claims of better absorption. We do not believe that the extra cost for this gel cap is justified. When Co-Q-10 supplements are taken with a meal, as suggested, the difference in absorption rates is non-existant.

Now CoEnzyme Q10, 60mg., with Hawthrorne Berries, 325mg.

Hawthorne berries are gathered from the small tree Crataegus laevigata of the family Rosaceae. Also known as Mayblossom and Whitehorn, Hawthorne was known to Dioscorides in the first century A.D., but was not widely used until recent times. The edible berries are often made into marmalade, and herbal preparations made from the flowers, fruits, and leaves are very prominent in contemporary European medicine. Currently about three dozen different preparations containing extracts of Hawthorne are marketed in Germany.

Hawthorne is described in most modern herbals as a valuable treatment for various heart ailments and circulatory disorders, as well acting as a mild astringent to be used for treating sore throats. Hawthorne is most often used to protect against the beginning stages of heart disease, for mild heart muscle weakness, for pressure and tightness of the chest, and for mild arrhythmia. It is also used as a tonic for an aging heart.

Standardized extracts improve myocardial and coronary circulation, raising the myocardial tolerance for oxygen deficiency. Hawthorne is also used for hypertension, nervous disorders and insomnia. It may potentiate the action of digitalis, and does potentiate cardiotonic glycosides.

Hawthorne should not be used as a substitute for medical care when an "organic cause" for one of the conditions listed is present, so cause should be diagnosed prior to use.

Modern researchers have revealed some interesting properties of hawthorne and confirmed that hawthorne contains compounds which support the heart and circulatory system. Hawthorn works to dilate the blood vessels, especially the coronary vessels, reducing peripheral resistance and thus lowering blood pressure and reducing the tendency to angina attacks. Though hawthorne's action is not immediate, but develops very slowly, apparently it has a direct effect on the heart itself, especially in cases of heart damage. Its toxicity is low as well, becoming evident only in large doses. It's therefore a relatively harmless heart tonic which apparently yields good results in many conditions where this kind of therapy is required.

Hawthorne contains leucoanthocyanins, flavonoids, hyperoside, vitexin 2-rhamnoside, glycosylflavones, amines, catechols, phenolcarboxylic acids, triterpene acids, sterols, inositol, PABA, saponins and purines. The main activity of hawthorne is derived from the potent mixture of pigment bioflavonoids, as well as oligomeric procyanidins (dehydrocatechins) that seem to be particularly active. Some of the flavonoid glycosides are thought to work in a similar way to digitoxin, having a vasodilating effect that could be helpful in the treatment of angina. They also produce marked sedative effects which indicate an action on the central nervous system.

A combination of several constituents seems to be directly responsible for the increase in heart muscle contraction force, by blocking whatever is reducing the contraction, for example, beta-blockers. The flavones help control the intracellular Calcium ion concentration. Hawthorne berries also contain inositol, PABA, purines, saponins, and B vitamins.

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