Coenzyme Q10 is an essential vitamin that the human body creates from an amino acid called Tyrosine. Coenzyme Q10 is also sold as Ubiquinone, Ubichinon, and CoQ10. It is a free radical scavenger and an antioxidant. It is vital to the process whereby the human body transfers energy from cell to cell. http://faculty.washington.edu/ely/coenzq10.html
Laboratory production of CoQ10 was perfected in the 1970s in Japan, where all of it that is available in the US is still made. It is available in powder-filled capsules, oil-based gelcaps, and pressed tablets. It is more easily absorbed by the body if chewed along with a fatty food. There are no known side effects of taking laboratory produced CoQ10.http://faculty.washington.edu/ely/coenzq10.html
Coenzyme Q10 is used to treat congestive heart failure. Some patients who start taking CoQ10 soon after congestive heart failure begins recover completely.http://faculty.washington.edu/ely/coenzq10.html
CoQ10 may soon be used widely to treat infertility. A clinical study has shown that when men took Coenzyme Q10 and Folic Acid their sperm count and sperm mobility went up.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fertility-herbs/AN01797
Natural sources of the ingredients that the body needs to create CoQ10 are beef, sardines, soy oil, mackerel, and peanuts.http://faculty.washington.edu/ely/coenzq10.html
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a doctor before taking any action suggested on this page.
Coenzyme Q10 Benefits, Side Effectss, and Dosage
Dr. Ray Sahelian explains that Coenzyme Q10 can have one side effect. It raises energy levels so well that if too much CoQ10 is taken, it can cause sleeplessness. He recommends a daily dosage of 30 - 50 milligrams. He says that in addition to treating heart disease, CoQ10 is a helpful preventative for vegetarians who probably don't get enough of the nutrients in their diets that the body uses to create coenzyme Q10. He says it is also useful for people who work out a lot, to give them additional energy for their workouts.
Never Heard of Coenzyme Q10?
CoQ10 is so effective in the treatment of congestive heart failure that many patients wonder why they haven't heard of it. In his Introduction to Coenzyme Q10, Dr. Peter H. Langsjoen explains. He says it is because of marketing and political concerns. The short answer is that CoQ10 is not patented. No pharmaceutical company has anything to gain by advertising Coenzyme Q10 and thus the public is not educated about it.http://faculty.washington.edu/ely/coenzq10.html
No studies have yet been done on the preventive effects of taking Coenzyme Q10.http://faculty.washington.edu/ely/coenzq10.html
References
Fast Facts
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Structure
2,3 dimethoxy-5 methyl-6 decaprenyl benzoquinone
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Function
In 1978 Peter Mitchell won the Nobel Prize for his explanation of the role of Coenzyme Q10 and other substances in biological energy transfer.
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Disorder
Human Heart Disease patients display a reduced level of Coenzyme Q10.
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Named after
Coenzyme Q10 was first isolated in 1957 by Dr. Frederick Crane at the Institute for Enzyme Research, University of Wisconsin.
