What does it mean to be “Ubiquitous”? Present, appearing, and found everywhere- for something to be this important, you think we’d know about it, right? Sadly, not this time.
Coenzyme Q 10 has another name- Ubiquinol. Why you ask? Because it’s found nearly everywhere in the body, and without it the tissues suffer. Thankfully in 1957 a team in the University of Madison discovered this little baby, and cells everywhere breathed a sigh of relief.
An enzyme is a chemical agent within the body that allows normal functions to proceed at a catalyzed rate-that is they function a whole lot better than normal. In the case of digestion, this can ease the breakdown of foods and at the worst, cause indigestion when levels are low (in the short term). But what happens when enzyme levels are low in critical cells- like in the heart, kidney or skeletal muscle? Logic tells us the heart may not beat as well, the kidneys could lack function and skeletal muscles (the ones we think of as ‘our muscles’ like arms and legs) might fatigue over time.
So therefore a Coenzyme (think “Co-ordination”) would help the enzyme perform its job properly. This particular Coenzyme, Q10, specifically helps in the Mitochondria, or powerhouse of each cell. It’s found nearly everywhere in the body (Ubiquitous, remember?) and can be extremely beneficial in both slowing and reversing some chronic conditions. For the already well, this little wonder helps the body “fire on all cylinders” so to speak. Let’s explore some of the many organ systems, and the benefits provided by CoQ10.
The Heart
One of the hardest-working organs in the body, the heart’s demand for energy is exponential. The body uses CoQ10 to facilitate aerobic respiration, which is how 95% of the body’s energy is produced, via ATP. Since this production occurs on a cellular level, higher concentrations of CoQ10 are found in energy-intensive organs, mainly the heart and liver.
CoQ10 has been shown to increase the heart’s tolerance in low-oxygen environments. In a study on patients with Angina (chest pain during exertion) a dose of 150mg/day for more than six weeks allowed for regular exercise free from chest pain. The agent also appears to moderate blood pressure by reducing resistance to blood flow. Another study resulted in reduced blood pressure after 10-16 weeks of treatment with CoQ10.
This seemingly-new discovery has actually been utilized in Japan as an accepted treatment for Congestive heart failure since 1974. Trials in the United States resulted in a relief of symptoms however discontinuation of CoQ10 treatments resulted in relapse, and must not be attempted without doctor supervision. Additionally a study conducted on patients with both diabetes and heart arrhythmias resulted in a reduction of premature ventricular beats (the heart firing too early) after only one month of treatment. Concurrent findings also revealed CoQ10 to aid in regulating blood sugar levels in purely diabetic individuals.
The Kidneys
In a study of 21 individuals on dialysis, 15 patients (over 70%) experienced increased kidney function after treating with 60mg of CoQ10 three times daily for four weeks. Improvements were found in their Blood Urea Nitrogen levels (BUN), Serum Creatine and Creatine Clearance (meaning they were able to excrete wastes much more effectively) and several patients eliminated the need for dialysis altogether. Again, these patients were under close doctor supervision and treatment for severe disease should be monitored professionally.
