CO Q-10 in Treating Epilepsy
Coenzyme Q10 is a compound that naturally exists in all living organisms. Because it is essential for sustaining life and healthy cell development, coenzyme Q10 has therapeutic benefits in the treatment of symptoms associated with cell, immune, brain, heart, muscle and nerve disorders and cancer. Additionally, this compound treats two types of epileptic seizures affected by cell dysfunction.-
Epilepsy
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Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by abnormalities in brain wiring, which affects clusters of nerve cells in the brain. This results in strange sensations, emotions and behavior, muscle spasms, convulsions or loss of consciousness.
This brain disorder is caused by brain damage, abnormal brain development or any illness that disturbs normal brain cell activity, which in turn can lead to seizures.
Mitochondria & Epilepsy
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Mitochondria cells are involved with metabolism and enzyme production--key features in the body's production of energy. Epileptic disorders are associated with abnormal mitochondria functioning. Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy is the term for mitochondrial disorders that affect the brain, nervous system and muscles.
Two mitochondrial encephalomyopathies that coenzyme Q10 treatment is used for are MELAS (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like seizures) and MERRF (myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red muscle fibers). Symptoms of MELAS include intolerance, seizures, dementia, muscle weakness and heart problems, while MERRF causes brief, twitching muscle spasms, epileptic seizures and impaired coordination.
Coenzyme Q10
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Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble compound found in every living organism and is essential for sustaining life and healthy cell development. In addition, it protects against free radical damage to cell structures and other substances in the body. The heart, liver, kidney and pancreas have the highest concentrations of Coenzyme Q10.
This compound has many therapeutic benefits because it is an antioxidant and produces adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The loss of ATP from the body can cause pain, shortage of oxygen in the blood and affect the sensory system. Because of these key features, coenzyme Q10 provides symptomatic relief in mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.
UbiQGel
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UbiQGel is a specific coenzyme Q10 treatment approved by the FDA to treat mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, including MERRF and MELAS syndromes.
In clinical studies, UbiQGel appeared to reduce symptoms associated with these syndromes. On the downside, it took 6 months to see the maximum effect of the treatment.
Coenzyme Q10 in Food
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Certain oils, nuts, vegetables, fish and meat have coenzyme Q10. In addition, wheat germ, rice bran, and soybean, sesame and canola oil also contain this essential compound, as do spinach, soybeans, broccoli, peanuts, beef, salmon, mackerel and sardines.
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