Coenzyme Q10 is doubly effective if you have a history of heart disease in your family or have circulatory problems.
It is an antioxidant, similar to Vitamin E. It helps to stabilize cell membranes and appears to have a protective role against free radical damage to mitochondria. Production of co-enzyme Q10, starts to decline after age 20. You should take this supplement especially if you have a history of heart disease in your family.
Benefits of Co Q10
Deficiencies in Coenzyme Q10 have been found in patients with varying forms of heart disease, including Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiomyopathy, and Congestive Heart Failure. It has been approved for treatment of CHF in Europe and Japan.
CoQ10 protects fat molecules from being oxidized by the free radicals that continually attack fat cells. It is also effective in preventing gum disease, high blood pressure, muscular dystrophy, and Cancer.
The highest dietary sources of CoQ10 come from - in descending order according to content
Fresh sardines, salmon, and mackerel, the heart, peanuts, liver and meat of beef, lamb and pork along with eggs.
There are plenty of vegetable sources of Coenzyme Q10, the richest being spinach, broccoli, peanuts, wheat germ and whole grains - in that order, although the amount is significantly smaller than that found in meats.
It is also important to note that these foods must be fresh, raw and unprocessed foods - no milling, canning, preserving, freezing, etc., plus grown/produced in an unpolluted environment to be considered viable sources.
Studies Done on CoQ10
University of Texas at Austin: 85% of patients taking 225 mg were found to have reductions in both systolic and diastolic Blood Pressure. 51% of patients were able to stop taking one to three of their anti-hypertensive medications.
Multicenter Italian Trials: 80% of 1,113 heart failure patients average age 69, improved by taking 100 mg daily along with conventional therapy. A separate double blind trial showed Co Q10 dramatically reduced hospitalization and serious complications of chronic CHF. (Congestive Heart Failure)
Sweden: Low blood levels of the supplement were associated with higher mortality rates in cardiac patients over 50 years of age.
Japan: Research has been conducted in Japan since the 1960's. Trials showed improvement in CHF symptoms in 70% of patients taking Coenzyme Q10 as a prescription drug.
Some of the other effects of Coenzyme Q10 were increased IgG (Immunoglobulin G) levels and a reduction in LDL (bad cholesterol) oxidation.
Lifespan: Another study showed that low dosages of coenzyme Q10 reduce oxidation and DNA double-strand breaks. A combination of a diet rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 supplementation leads to a longer lifespan in rats.
Migraines: Supplementation of Coenzyme Q10 has been found to have a beneficial effect for people who suffer from migraine headaches. Three random studies found statistically significant results despite their median small sample sizes of 42 patients average for each study. Dosages were 150 to 300 mg/day.
Vitamins and Minerals Needed to Produce Co Q10 Naturally