Coenzyme Q10 is a fat soluble vitamin like substance present in the mitochondria, which is the “power house’ of every cells. It plays a critical role in the generation of ATP, the body energy units, from carbohydrate and fat metabolism. 95% of the energy in the body is generated by this way to fuel the body metabolic processes.
Because Coenzyme Q10 holds electron loosely, it can easily give up its electron to free radicals, creating antioxidant property and preventing oxidative stress. In fact, the antioxidant property of Vitamin E requires Coenzyme Q10 to be present.
What are the benefits of Coenzyme Q10?
1) Heart Disease
Coenzyme Q10 prevents the degeneration of heart by preventing oxidative damages. Coenzyme Q10 deficiency is common in heart patient. 2009 research from Healthcare Professional Impact study found 72% of US cardiologist recommend daily supplement of heart patients with Coenzyme Q10 and Omega-3.
2) High Blood Pressure
39% of the patients with high blood pressure have deficiency in Coenzyme Q10. 2 studies by a team of Italian researchers in 1992 and 1994 revealed that supplementation of Coenzyme Q10 reduce blood pressure by as much as 10%.
3) Diabetes
University of Coimbra in Coimbra, Portugal found that diabetic patients supplement with Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin E have lower complication and damages to pancreas. Carbohydrate metabolism was found to increase, which helps with management of blood sugar level.
4) Obesity
1984 Dutch study in the Biomedical and Clinical Aspect of Coenzyme Q10 found that 52% of obese people were deficient in Coenzyme Q10. Therefore, raising the level of Coenzyme Q10 in the body may increase the ability to burn fat and lose weight
5) Performance Enhancer
As Coenzyme Q10 is involved in energy production, it can enhance physical performance by improving the heart rate, workload capacity and oxygen requirements. These improvements were significant just a few weeks after increasing intake of Coenzyme Q10.
Recommended dosage for normal people is 30-100 mg/day. For people with heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, 400 mg/day is required.
Where is the source of Coenzyme Q10?
- The highest source of Coenzyme Q10 is from meat and oily fish. In fact, reindeer meat has higher amount of Coenzyme Q10 than beef and pork.
- Organ meat such as liver and kidney have high source due to the high-energy requirements of the organs.
- Oils from soya bean, rapeseed, sesame and cottonseed
- Vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are rich in Coenzyme Q10
Be careful of drug interaction
Production of Coenzyme Q10 can be inhibited in the presence of Statin drugs ( Lipitor, Zocor ), blood pressure lowering medication or beta-blocker drugs ( Sectral, Tenormin, Zebeta, Lopressor, Corgard, Blocadren). This is because these drugs inhibit the precursor of Coenzyme Q10 and can reduce by as much as 40% Coenzyme Q10 level in the blood.
If you eat a balance diet, you should have sufficient intake of Coenzyme Q10 in your body for a normal person. However, if you are suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, then it is advisable to take supplement.
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