What is CoQ10 and Why do You Need?

What is CoQ10?

CoQ10 is kind of like a vitamin. It is a fat soluble vitamin. It does what vitamins do but was never classified as such because of arguments over what vitamins do. It is also called ubiquinone. This word is a combination of ubiquitous and quinine.

It was first discovered in 1957 in beef hearts. During the 60’s, in Japan, it was being used to treat congestive heart failure. By 1982 the Japanese discovered how to mass produce it.

Researchers discovered that CoQ10 is found in every cell of the body. If this is the case, not much has been said to promote this semi-vitamin like all other vitamins. Many multi-vitamin formulas don’t even contain CoQ10.

CoQ10 helps to create three of the enzymes that cells use to create ATP, the fuel created in the mitochondria that we use as energy. Also, it acts in the cells and wherever it is as an anti-oxidant to neutralize free radicals. Unfortunately, by the time you are 20, your body has started to cut back on its production.

Are you using too much CoQ10?

There are three reasons why you many not have enough CoQ10 in your body.

1. You are not getting enough of it from your diet. - It is hard to get enough of it in your diet since not many foods have it. The body does create it, but it takes 17 chemical processes and it also uses the B-vitamins and 7 other vitamins in this process. If you are not getting enough B-vitamins through food or supplements, then you will have a deficiency of CoQ10.
   
   
2. Something is blocking its production. - If you are using certain drugs like Statins, cholesterol lowering drugs, then these drugs block its production. The reason it is blocked is CoQ10 follows the chemical pathways that cholesterol takes and is blocked like cholesterol is.
   
   
3. You are using it up to fast. – If you are an athlete, a runner, and on the go all of the time, drinking lots of coffee, taking diet pills, or using artificial means to keep you going, you are burning up your CoQ10.

So what else does CoQ10 do?

Aside from creating energy for you, it has been used successful in congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart does not have enough energy to pump blood. It reduces of LDL cholesterol and arthrosclerosis. Helps to create normal heart function in those with cardiovascular disease.

A dental researcher has found that CoQ10 helps to reverse periodontal disease. This disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in people over sixty.

It was also found to slow down the aging process, which is mainly due to its anti-oxidant properties. It helps to boost the immune system by stimulating the production of antibodies.

In 2005 researchers found that it was helpful in the preventing and treating of all kinds of cancer.

If you are not taking CoQ10 as a supplement, you will suffer some of the disease mentioned above. This vitamin is a major preventive source for cardiovascular disease, the number 1 killer of people in the US. Use a minimum of 100-150 mg of CoQ10.