FHN Complementary Medicine Monthly Newsletter February 2006
Enzyme CoQ10 (ubiquinone)
We have previously talked about Co Q 10 (October 2002 you can read it on the website above) as it relates to statin drugs. If you are taking a statin drug you have to be taking CoQ 10!!!!!
Let’s look at different reasons to take Co Q 10. Coenzyme Q10 is essentially a vitamin-like substance. CoQ10 is found in small amounts in a wide variety of foods and is synthesized in all tissues. The biosynthesis of CoQ10 from the amino acid tyrosine is a multistage process requiring at least eight vitamins and several trace elements. Coenzyme Q10 is the coenzyme for at least three mitochondrial enzymes as well as enzymes in other parts of the cell.
Because it is essential in the mitochondria of the cells to make energy let’s look at the type of cells that are most susceptible to deficiencies. Normal muscle cells of the body have around 200 mitochondria per cell, heart cells have around 5000 per cell. Needless to say heart function is absolutely dependent upon CoQ10. Cardiovascular diseases such as CHF , hypertension, ischemia, cardiomyopathies, etc. all respond to supplementation of CoQ10.
To be effective,blood levels must reach high enough levels. Several factors can effect how effectively CoQ10 supplementation works. These include fatty acids (take CoQ with fish oils), C,E, selenium, carnitine.
For those of you with hypertension CoQ in high enough doses (1mg/lb) might help reduce your dependence on meds or help stabilize the meds. you are taking.
Clinical research is now looking at CoQ’s role in cancer…..stay tuned.
Drs. Glenn and Julie Smith
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