Our body manufactures this Coenzyme Q10 and our cells use it to produce energy for growth and repair of the body. It behaves as an antioxidant and protects the body against harmful molecules invading the body. Preeti tells us about it, exclusively for Different Truths.

It is also known as Q10, Vit Q10, and Ubiquinone. It is similar to a vitamin and is found in every cell of the human body. Our body manufactures this coenzyme and our cells use it to produce energy for growth and repair of the body. It behaves as an antioxidant and protects the body against harmful molecules invading the body.

It acts as a catalyst for enzymes in the body and accelerates their action.

It is naturally present in minute quantities in organ meat, some fish, and peanuts.

Useful in ATP production, lower high B.P, lower high cholesterol, prevent heart damage and in gum diseases.

Benefits of COQ10

Guarding of Brain after a Cardiac Arrest

People who manage to survive a cardiac arrest suffer from irreversible damage to the brain due to disrupted oxygen supply to the brain.

Research has shown if COQ10 is combined with a little Hypothermia or decrease in body temperature it will help in the survival of the patient.

Forty-nine patients who suffered a cardiac arrest and survived due to C.P.R or cardiopulmonary resuscitation were randomly given hypothermia and COQ10.The patients were laid on a body- surface cooling mattress.

The test group was given 250mg COQ10 followed by 150mg COQ10 thrice a day for a period of 5 days and the other group was given a placebo. The findings shown in a three month survival period was 68% in COQ10 group to 29% in the placebo group.COQ10 enhanced the survival rate by 57% and the brain damage is reduced by 36% in the COQ10 group compared to 20% in placebo group.

Prevents Onset of a Migraine

Migraine headaches create problems for people suffering from them. Mitochondria don’t function properly so it can cause a migraine by limiting oxygen metabolism. Researchers used COQ10 to prevent a migraine. A 2005 issue of Neurology published findings of 42 controlled trial groups in Switzerland.

Patients who suffered from migraine attacks for a period of 1-11/2 yr with 2-8 attacks/month were randomly administered 100mg of COQ10 or placebo t.i.d for 3 months.

After three months the COQ10 had shown lesser migraine attacks compared to placebo group. Mean of monthly migraine attack reduced from 4.4 to 3.2 in the COQ10 group compared to 4.4 to 4.3 in the placebo group. It was reduced by 27% overall.

Slowing Early Macular Degeneration

Antioxidants are believed to reduce age-related macular degeneration. There is vision loss due to which people have difficulty in reading and driving.

Researchers felt this occurred due to mitochondrial dysfunction.COQ10 is believed to help in mitochondrial metabolism and researchers tried a clinical trial using this coenzyme. Researchers showed results of their double-blind, placebo-controlled trials last year in the journal ofOpthamologica.

More than 100 patients with early age macular degeneration were randomly assigned to receive either 2 capsules/day containing 200mg of acetyl-L-carnitine,780mg of omega-3 fatty acids, 20mg of COQ10 or an equal quantity of soy oil.

After a year statistically significant improvement was seen in the treated group. Only one of the 48 patients (2%) in the treatment showed clinically worsened macular degeneration. The decrease in Drusen or yellow retinal spots is seen in the test group (23%) and increased by (13%) in the placebo group. So it is helpful in slowing this disease.

Fighting Cancer

COQ10 has the capability to improve immunity and decrease cardiotoxicity caused by a common class of anticancer chemotherapeutic agents. Patients with cancer exhibit low level of COQ10 which helps to increase immunity in humans. Danish scientists showed findings in three breast cancer patients with metastasised cancer. The women underwent conventional cancer treatment and got an additional supplement daily of 390mg of COQ10.All 3 women showed tumour regression and decreased the incidence of metastasis.

Slowing of Neurodegenerative Disease Progression

COQ10 has been shown to inhibit mitochondrial dysfunction and free radical generation. Scientists felt it could be useful to treat neurodegenerative disorders.

Researchers undertook double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial of COQ10 in patients with early onset of Parkinson’s disease.80 patients were randomly assigned to receive one of the three different COQ10 doses (300mg/day,600mg/day, or 1200mg/day) with vitamin E or a placebo. This trial was for a period of 16 months. When given the largest dose of 1200 mg the patients showed a decline in neurodegeneration compared to fewer doses of COQ10.

Protects Against Loss of Hearing

DNA mutation of mitochondria causes hearing loss and pathway of the internal ear becomes damaged causing audibility problems. But supplementation with COQ10 prevented further deterioration.

Improves Learning

It was seen that COQ10 along with vitamin E helps to reduce the deficit in cognitive functions, and helps to enhance quick learning.

 Enhances Life Span

It reduces chances of mutation and so enhances the lifespan of humans.

Prevents Cachexia

COQ10 in combination with vitamin B2 and B3 helps to prevent weight loss and muscle wasting of cancer afflicted patients.

Helps in Muscle Regeneration

COQ10 along with vitamin E helps in muscle regeneration.

Protects Against Surgical Stress

Supplements of 300mgCOQ10 daily for two weeks before cardiac surgery helped to lessen oxygen depletion and boosted energy after surgery.

Helps in Male Fertility

Taking the coenzyme improved low sperm motility.

Protects Against Senility

It is neuroprotective in nature.

Lowers Triglycerides

COQ10 along with fibrate drugs helps to reduce triglycerides.

Summary

The latest findings suggest it’s used in cancer remission, lessening migraine attacks, promoting fertility, lessening cholesterol and triglycerides, increasing lifespan, help lessen macular degeneration, helps in diabetes, enhances learning, lessens cachexia, hearing loss, lessens surgical stress and guards the brain after cardiac arrest.

©Preeti Talwar

Photos from the Internet

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Dr. Preeti Talwar

Dr. Preeti Talwar is a science doctorate, freelance writer and blogger. She is passionate about writing and has made her mark on print and digital media. She has published in The Chicken Soup Series. She has worked as an online proofreader with Thakur Publications. Her passion is to write and become a prolific writer. Her other hobbies are painting, reading and cooking. She is a perfectionist and wields the pen and ladle with elan.

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