Posted on 9th Jun 2012 @ 6:23 PM

Co-enzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, or as Ubiquinone is an essential component in every cell of our body.

Especially so in our muscle cells, where Co-enzyme Q10 acts as the “spark plug” in the mitochondria, a part of the cell which acts as the muscle cell’s “power pack”

Because Co-enzyme Q10 is so important, we make it ourselves.

Co-enzymes exist to enable the proper functioning of enzymes, and enzymes are special proteins that speed up the rate of chemical reactions that take place in our body.

Without Co-enzyme Q10 our muscle cells would not be able to chemically create the energy required to make our muscle cells efficiently contract.

The importance of Co-enzyme Q10 is stunningly evident when you realise that the one muscle in our body that never rests is our heart. For our heart to function efficiently we rely on sufficient blood levels of Co-enzyme Q10.

But it is a medically proven fact that one of the most heavily prescribed and promoted drug classes of our time – i.e. the Statins – (which are used to reduce our liver’s production of cholesterol), actively strips our body of Co-enzyme Q10.

Add to that, our own natural production of Co enzyme Q10 in our liver decreases with age.

Combine these two facts – increasing age & the common usage of Statins like Lipitor (Atorvostatin), Zocor (Simvastatin), Ezetrol (Ezetimbe) – then we are at serious risk of Co enzyme Q10 depletion.

Co enzyme Q10 also acts as an antioxidant destroying free radicals, which are unstable molecules which occur as a natural result of ageing, and which damage normal healthy cells. Reducing the amount of free radicalsin our body by taking anti-oxidants is one of the best long term health measures we can undertake.

In one of many scientific articles on the subject of Co enzyme Q10, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology considers that “Plasma CoQ10 concentration was an independent predictor of mortality” and that “CoQ10 deficiency might be detrimental to the long-term prognosis of CHF (Congestive Heart Failure), and there is a rationale for controlled intervention studies with CoQ10.” (J Am Coll Cardiol 2008;52:1435–41)

Co-enzyme Q10 is completely safe to take, as it is already a naturally occurring substance that we make ourselves.

So if you are getting older, supplementing your diet with Co enzyme Q10 becomes a very wide decision.

If you are also taking a statin – and so many of us are – then taking a daily supplementation of Co-enzyme Q10 becomes a “no brainer”

Precautions:

Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are taking blood pressure medication 

Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are taking blood thinners