Naturopathic Information - MICROgenics Co Enzyme Q10 with Alpha Lipoic Acid

Co Enzyme Q10 is a compound found naturally in the human body. Coenzyme Q 10 is an essential nutrient for health and present in virtually all cells, with especially high concentrations in the heart, liver, kidney, and pancreas. Co Enzyme Q10 plays an important role in Mitochondira, the energy power house of our cells. Coenzyme Q-10 generates and produces energy, acting as a cofactor in many metabolic pathways. Coenzyme Q-10 levels are highest during the first 20 years of life and decline with age and exercise.

Co Enzyme Q10 deficiency appears to be greatest in cells that are most metabolically active, such as those in the heart, brain, immune system, gingiva, and gastric mucosa. It is assumed that these cells have the highest requirements for healthy Co Enzyme Q10 levels. The good news is that oral administration by supplementation of Co Enzyme Q10 can increase tissue levels, correcting Co Enzyme Q10 deficiency and its associated metabolic consequences.

Despite steady improvement over the last number of years, cardiovascular conditions remain to be one of the biggest health problems facing our population. Naturopaths and Nutritionists encourage those at risk to adapt healthier lifestyle changes, reduce visceral adiposity, supplement with nutrients and vitamins, and eat healthy balanced meals with regular exercise to support a healthy functioning cardiovascular system.

Cardiovascular health

• CoQ10 maintains optimal cellular and mitochondrial function which is beneficial to the heart muscle
• Supports health of arteries and may assist red cell membrane properties to maintain blood flow.
• Inhibits LDL oxidation, making it an important nutrient for the normal healthy function of the cardiovascular system and cholesterol
• Heart muscle contraction is an energy dependant process, Co Enzyme Q10 is essential for all energy-dependent processes
• Taking a Coenzyme Q 10 supplement whilst taking statin (cholesterol lowering) medications, may assist in offsetting the deficiency which commonly occurs from taking statin medications

Antioxidant

• CoQ10 is an important antioxidant acting as a free radical scavenger, helping protect the body from oxidative stress resulting from free radical damage
• Co Enzyme Q10 and Lipoic acid work synergistically to improve enzyme pathways involved in maintaining antioxidant defences in the body
• Co Enzyme Q10 is one of the few antioxidants that can readily regenerate to its reduced form after utilization

Stamina and Endurance

• Co Enzyme Q10 maintains the body’s biochemical processes for energy production and can assist the body’s stamina and endurance levels promoting the synthesis of ATP.
• Co Enzyme Q10 assists in post-exercise recovery, stamina and endurance Because CoQ10 is involved in energy production and is concentrated in the muscle, a theory is developing that it may support aerobic capacity and muscle performance. In clinical study of six healthy sedentary men, endured a bicycle ergometer test before after taking Co Enzyme Q10 (60 mg/day) for 4 to 8 weeks. Results found treatment with Co Enzyme Q10 improved certain performance parameters

Migraines

• Co Enzyme Q10 may also help reduce the frequency of migraines
• One study investigated the effects of oral Co Enzyme Q-10 supplementation, 150mg per day for 3 months in 32 chronic migraine sufferers. Results found that Co Enzyme Q-10 significantly reduced the frequency of attacks and the duration of a migraine after 3 months of treatment

Healthy Ageing

• After the age of 35 to 40, humans begin to lose their ability to synthesize Co Enzyme Q10. This decline with age might contribute in part to some manifestations of aging
• The elderly may have an additional requirement for supplements of Co Enzyme Q10
• Taking MICROgenics Co Enzyme Q10 with Alpha Lipoic Acid increases plasma CoQ10 levels
• CoQ10 is also known to help maintain healthy gums