Coenzyme Q10 - Benefits to Aging Baby Boomers

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)(Ubiquinone) is a fat-soluble vitamin-like substance produced by the body. It indeed cannot be called a vitamin because it is produced naturally within the body. It is necessary for the basic functioning of all cell types although it has been shown to have higher concentrations in the heart muscle cells. It is the cellular energy producer of the entire body. This is accomplished by supporting the production and function of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, the metabolic energy on which the body runs.

Particular to aging baby boomers, Coenzyme Q10 levels have been shown to decrease with age. This is a natural phenomenon that begins as early as age twenty. Reports have shown that, because of this fact, many diseases such as heart disease, some types of cancer, hypertension, Parkinson's disease and mitochondrial (the cells' power sources) diseases such as myopathies, meaning muscle diseases, respond to CoQ10 supplements.

Coenzyme Q10 is a strong antioxidant and serves to gather up free radicals in the body preventing early oxidative damage of different body tissues. This further enhances the fact of having stronger immune systems. This in turn helps to ward off some of the more short term aggravating common occurring diseases that plague us all. It's strong free radical abilities also help to prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

Wikipedia states the following:
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a type of lipoprotein that transports cholesterol and triglycerides from the liver to peripheral tissues....Like all lipoproteins, LDL enables fats and cholesterol to move within the water based solution of the blood stream. LDL also regulates cholesterol synthesis at these sites. It commonly appears in the medical setting as part of a cholesterol blood test, and since high levels of LDL cholesterol can signal medical problems like cardiovascular disease, it is sometimes called "bad cholesterol" (as opposed to HDL, the "good cholesterol").

A deficiency of CoQ10 may occur due to the body's inability to produce it effectively, or not having a proper dietary intake. Naturally then, it very well could be replenished through the taking of supplements or through better dietary intake.

The use of statins, cholesterol lowering medications such as Lipitor, Zetia, Vytorin, Zocor or Crestor , can also decrease the body's production of coenzyme Q10 by as much as forty percent. But, to our good, increased intake of CoQ10, either by dietary or supplements, may produce a contra effect and reduce the adverse effects of the statin therapy.

Further discussion concerning Coenzyme Q10 deficiency is stated in a paper by PETER H. LANGSJOEN, M.D., F.A.C.C. He quotes Professor Karl Folkers as saying 'that suboptimal nutrient intake in man is almost universal and that there is subsequent secondary impairment in CoQ10 biosynthesis. This would mean that average or "normal" levels of CoQ10 are really suboptimal and the very low levels observed in advanced disease states represent only the tip of a deficiency "ice berg".'

The Heart Needs a Constant Source of Energy

Coenzyme Q10 occurs in a wide variety of foods. It does not always manufacture effectively or sufficiently though in our bodies. There is an irony to this as well. Statins are prescribed freely as cholesterol inhibitors along with the instructions to not eat red meats. It is these very meats that contain the highest levels of CoQ10. Consequently, the body is being depleted systematically of the very thing to enable our hearts to stay healthy and to enable aging baby boomers to fight against a whole host of other diseases.

CoQ10 is most abundant in organ and red meat products. It is also found in a variety of oils such as soybean and rapeseed oil. Rapeseed being kin to cabbage, broccoli, mustard and cauliflower. A variety of nuts, and fish also contain valuable amounts of the vitamin-like substance.

The typical CoQ10 dosage is 30 and slightly higher per day, depending on your age and health. The older you are the less natural production the body has. Of course this also depends on your diet and types of drugs you may be taking.

If you are taking Coenzyme Q10 for specific health or athletic reasons, dosages in the form of supplements as high as 250 mg/day is not uncommon. It is best for maximum benefit to take the dosage with a meal containing oil or fat because the CoQ10 is fat-soluble.

Specific to the Baby Boomers

Coronary heart disease and most heart related problems such as angina, heart attack and recovery during and after heart surgery (reperfusion injury) has shown increased improvement by the use of Coenzyme Q10.

Energy metabolism of all cells are affected by its synthesis.

The immune system is strengthened by its actions.

Cancer prevention has been shown to be promising by its use.

Myopathies ,or muscle diseases, have been shown to respond to CoQ10.

It's antioxidant properties enable it to scavage free radicals helping the body to function properly which includes antiaging effects.

High blood pressure was shown to decrease.

Other diseases. Age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, tooth and gum health, better brain activity and even AIDS/HIV because of increased energy levels has shown to be affected.

Final note borrowed from another writer:

Lack of energy is linked to aging, heart problems, dementia and even cancer. A body that is struggling to perform the basic tasks of living cannot muster the energy to stop cancer cells, heal an ailing heart, repair damaged brain cells or grow new bone.

The good news is that the energy system can be nurtured with Coenzyme Q10 supplementation.

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