CoQ10: Some helpful nutritional information beyond heart health
by Derek Burreson
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is fat-soluble vitamin-like substance produced by the human body and present in every cell that serves several key enzymatic steps in the production of energy necessary for the basic functioning within the cell. CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases. Some prescription drugs may also lower CoQ10 levels.
It is naturally present in small amounts in a wide variety of foods but is particularly high in organ meats such as heart, liver and kidney, as well as beef, soy oil, sardines, mackerel, and peanuts. Levels of CoQ10 in the body can also be increased by taking CoQ10 supplements. It is known to be highly concentrated in heart muscle cells due to the high energy requirements of this cell type.
Heart health certainly is a main focal point of supplementation with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), but the antioxidant and protective effects of this nutrient may benefit other areas of your health. As always, I encourage you to eat a wide variety of foods in your daily diet that will help you to get the nutrients necessary for your body to perform properly, though this is easier said than done.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is fat-soluble vitamin-like substance produced by the human body and present in every cell that serves several key enzymatic steps in the production of energy necessary for the basic functioning within the cell. CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases. Some prescription drugs may also lower CoQ10 levels.
It is naturally present in small amounts in a wide variety of foods but is particularly high in organ meats such as heart, liver and kidney, as well as beef, soy oil, sardines, mackerel, and peanuts. Levels of CoQ10 in the body can also be increased by taking CoQ10 supplements. It is known to be highly concentrated in heart muscle cells due to the high energy requirements of this cell type.
Heart health certainly is a main focal point of supplementation with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), but the antioxidant and protective effects of this nutrient may benefit other areas of your health. As always, I encourage you to eat a wide variety of foods in your daily diet that will help you to get the nutrients necessary for your body to perform properly, though this is easier said than done.
Sources:
National Institute of health:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-coenzymeq10.html
Natural Products Marketplace:
http://www.naturalproductsmarketplace.com/articles/551/coq10--beyond-heart-health.html