|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutritional Supplements

Vitamin CoQ10 Benefits

Co-enzyme Q 10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring chemical that is found in some of the foods we eat, particularly oily fish, organ meats and whole grains. CoQ10 is normally associated with heart health because of its role in producing energy and muscle contraction; however, CoQ10 is beneficial to several systems in the body. Production of CoQ10 decreases in the body as we age, meaning that a supplement may be necessary. As always, consult with your health care practitioner before supplementing with CoQ10.

  1. Energy Production

    • CoQ10 resides in a cell's mitochondria, where energy is produced. CoQ10 works to produce molecules of adenosine-5-triphosphate (ATP), which contributes to protein production and muscle contraction. The highest concentration of CoQ10 levels are in the heart. People diagnosed with congestive heart failure were found to have low blood and tissue levels of CoQ10.

    Immune System Support

    • CoQ10 is believed to help strengthen the immune system. According to the National Cancer Institute, CoQ10 works to boost the immune system. Also, studies have suggested that drugs similar to CoQ10 work to keep cancer cells from growing. CoQ10's antioxidant properties may prevent cancer cells from forming in the first place.

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

    • CoQ10 has been used in the past as part of the treatment protocol for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Immune Support.com references that physicians consider Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia to be basically identical from a treatment perspective. The treatment protocol can take several weeks for patients to begin to experience relief, sometimes eight to 12 weeks.

    Weight Loss and Exercise Injury Prevention

    • Two independent studies are referenced at Life Enthusiast.com, each confirming that participants who took 100 milligrams of CoQ10 daily were able to lose weight more effectively than the control group. Studies done on laboratory rats also showed that rats treated with CoQ10 were less likely to sustain injuries from exercise as compared to untreated rats.

    Gum Disease

    • Patients with gum disease have been shown to have reduced CoQ10 levels. Small studies have indicated that an oral rinse containing CoQ10 enabled patients to heal faster.

    Heart Disease

    • CoQ10 is perhaps best known in treating heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems and diabetes. Some studies have also shown that CoQ10 may protect the heart muscle from sustaining as much damage from chemotherapy compared to patients who do not supplement with CoQ10.

Nutritional Supplements - Related Articles