Coenzyme Q₁₀

The heart is your body's fuel pump. It beats approximately 70 times every minute, pumping 5.25 litres of blood throughout the entire body. To perform this enormous level of work, the cells must be well supplied with vast amounts of energy, produced by mitochondria in the cells.

Coenzyme Q₁₀ is an integral part of the mechanism by which the mitochondria use oxygen to produce energy. It also acts as an antioxidant by helping the cells dispose of oxygen free radicals.

Cardiologist Dr Stephen Sinatra says, "For the thousands of people with cardiac conditions so severe that they need a heart transplant, coQ₁₀ may be a suitable alternative. It not only enhances the quality of life, but extends survival as well."

This coenzyme's main role as a supplement has been as an antioxidant, especially in preventing and treating arteriosclerosis and heart disease. It's also used in cancer protection and to enhance energy and performance in athletes.

Remember that the goal of therapy is not just to take a certain amount of this coenzyme every day. The goal is to increase the levels of coQ₁₀ in your blood. This can be achieved by using lower levels of water soluble coQ₁₀ that are absorbed more efficiently. Efforts to increase the absorption and bioavailability of coQ₁₀ have led to the development of coQ₁₀ in a water soluble capsule form.

Research indicates that this water soluble form is easily absorbed, allowing you to achieve maximum tissue levels with lower doses. The dose can range from as low as 15 mg, two times per day, to as high as 450 mg per day, depending on the health of your heart and the counsel of your personal health care practitioner. It should take only 21 to 28 days to bring your blood levels to their optimum status.

A number of studies on high cholesterol and high blood sugar prove that water soluble coQ₁₀ raises the high density lipoproteins ("good" cholesterol) and lowers low density lipoproteins ("bad" cholesterol). Studies also prove that water soluble coQ₁₀ helps to stabilize blood glucose levels, a significant factor in coronary heart disease. A daily supplement of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, iron, selenium, zinc, magnesium and potassium can greatly help reduce your risk of heart disease.

Based on the studies showing the benefits of using coQ₁₀ in a water soluble form, consider adding it to your daily supplement regimen.

Excerpted from Heart Health for Women, by Carol Simontacchi (Kriegel Group Publishers, Montana, 2000).