Coenzyme Q10 can be used as a natural remedy to effectively treat a number of health conditions. It is a vitaminlike substance found in all parts of the body, with an action that is very similar to vitamin E, and it may be an even more powerful antioxidant. It is also referred to as CoQ10 or ubiquinone. There are ten common substances designated as coenzyme Q's, but coenzyme Q10 is the only one found in the human body.
This substance plays a critical role in the production of energy in every cell in the body. It also aids circulation, stimulates the immune system, increases tissue oxygenation, and has vital anti-aging effects.
Research has indicated that supplemental CoQ10 has the ability to counter histamine, and therefore is beneficial for people with allergies, asthma, or respiratory disease.
CoQ10 is also used by many health care professionals to treat problems with mental function, such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. It is also beneficial in fighting obesity, candidiasis, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes.
CoQ10 also appears to be a giant step forward in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease. A six year study found that people being treated for congestive heart failure who took coQ10 in addition to conventional therapy had a 75% chance of survival after three years, as compared to a 25% chance for those who took conventional therapy alone. In a similar study in Japan, CoQ10 was shown to be able to lower blood pressure without medication or dietary changes.
CoQ10 has also been shown to reduce mortality in animals afflicted with tumors and leukemia. Some doctors give their patients CoQ10 to reduce the side effects of cancer chemotherapy.
CoQ10 is widely used in Japan. More than 12 million people in that country are reportedly taking it at the direction of their physicians for treatment of heart disease (it strengthens the heart muscle) and high blood pressure, and also to enhance the immune system. Research has also shown that it also protects the lining of the stomach and the duodenum, and may help heal duodenal ulcers.
The amount of CoQ10 present in the body declines with age, so it should be supplemented in the diet, especially in people over the age of fifty. Oil forms are best.
A deficiency of CoQ10 has been linked to periodontal disease, diabetes, and muscular dystrophy.
The largest amounts of CoQ10 are found in mackeral, salmon, and sardines. It is also found in beef, peanuts, and spinach.
CoQ10 is oil soluble, and is best absorbed when taken along with oily or fatty foods such as fish.
Be cautious when purchasing CoQ10, as not all products offer it in its purest form. Its natural color is dark bright yellow to orange, and it has very little taste in the powdered form.
It should be kept away from heat and light, as pure CoQ10 is perishable and deteriorates in temperatures above 115 degrees Fahrenheit. A liquid or oil form is preferable. Also, look for a product that includes a small amount of vitamin E, as this helps to preserve the CoQ10.
This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific condition, nor is it intended to replace the advice of your healthcare professional.
Sources
Balch, Phyllis A., CNC. "Prescription for Nutritional Healing". Garden City, NY.: Avery Publishing Group, 2006
Ritchason, Jack, ND. "The Little Herb Encyclopedia". Pleasant Grove, UT.: Woodland Health Books, 1995
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