CoQ10 Benefits – Coenzyme Q10

Posted by admin under Vitamins & Minerals

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an oil soluble vitamin like substance.  It is present primarily in the mitochondria and it is a component of the electron transport train.  CoQ10 participates in aerobic cellular respiration, generating a vast amount of energy from ATP; to put this in perspective, about 95% percent of a typical human’s body energy is generated this way.  First discovered in 1957 by Andrew L. Cane of the University of Wisconsin, coq10’s chemical structures were not reported on until 1958 by Dr. Karl Folkers of Merck.

Coenzyme Q-10 benefits are many times to the immune system.  CoQ10 has the ability to transfer electrons, and thus, it can act as an antioxidant within the body.  With that said, coq10 has been used widely as a nutritional supplement for many years.  Coenzyme Q 10, according to the mayo clinic, has been used and studied for many conditions over the years – though it remains controversial in many areas.  More clinical experimentation and evaluation is needed to determine just how good coq 10 truly is for healthy people.

With that said, coenzyme q 10 has proven beneficial to many people for various reasons.  CoQ10 seems to influence cellular power stations that are necessary to maintain healthy cells.  Thus, enzyme q 10 supplementation can potentially enhance energy at the cellular level.  Apart from its ability to generate energy, enzyme q10 stabilizes cell membranes, and, destroys free radicals in the body – acting as a type of antioxidant.  Building on this, coq 10 has been seen by many as an immune system booster, and it has been reported that it could potentially contain properties that prevent cancer cell formation.

CoQ 10 occurs naturally in many forms.  It is prevalent in our diet and the foods that we eat on a normal basis.  Mackerel, sardines, tuna, and salmon are all particularly high in coenzyme q10 concentration.  Other meats and oils also contain a pretty decent amount of coq 10.  Many nutritionists believe that people low in vitamins B, C, and E might not be able to produce as much coq 10.  Also, it should be noted that the amount of coenzyme q10 that we receive from our diet alone is not enough to treat certain cancers.  Thus, coenzyme q 10 is sometimes taken in supplement form to maximize it’s body exposure.

When taking a coenzyme q10 supplement, it is important to remember that dosage requirements will vary greatly based on your needs.  CoQ10 may be taken in pill form, as coq10 softgels, or as an injection.  Therapeutic doses for cancer range from 200mg – 600mg daily.  As a general nutritional supplement, dose amounts vary from 5mg – 500mg per day.  Those using the enzyme q10 supplement for periodontal health should probably take somewhere around 100mg, or 150mg each day.

As with any dietary supplement, it is important to take precautions when using enzyme q 10.  Firstly, make sure that you are not allergic to the coq10 supplement, as this may cause skin hives, rashes, etc.   Though no other serious coq 10 side effects have been reported, some who have supplemented with coenzyme q 10 have reported mild insomnia and upper abdominal pains, etc.  Make sure that coenzyme q10 is for you before starting a regimen.  Coq 10 supplements, when taken as directed, can be very beneficial to anyone who utilizes their cellular properties.  CoQ10 benefits are vast in comparison to many other supplements.