Co-Q10 decreases inflammation and protects your muscular and neurological systems: Research

Thursday, August 22, 2013 by: PF Louis
Tags: Co-Q10, inflammation, neurological systems

(NaturalNews) Coenzyme Q-10 was first identified in 1955 in England. It was isolated as an electron carrying coenzyme involved with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, the energy molecule of cellular mitochondria.

This coenzyme is normally produced in the body, but as one ages, that production declines. This is why it often needs to be supplemented. Apparently, CoQ10 is attracted to organs that demand higher energy functioning, especially the heart.

There have been several studies proving CoQ10's ability to restore cellular energy not only for cardiovascular purposes, but also neurological health. One study even discovered that low blood levels of CoQ10 were a common denominator among older lethal diseased patients. [1]

Comparing ubiquinone and ubiquinol CoQ10

The recent development of ubiquinol is considered by many to be superior to plain old-fashioned ubiquinone CoQ10. It's reputed to be more easily absorbed since it requires one less conversion step in the body. It's also much more expensive.

However, the iconoclastic cardiologist, Dr. Stephen Sinatra, MD, wasn't convinced by the short study that claimed to confirm this promotion. So he did one of his own for three months, with 12 volunteers, ages ranging from high 20s to high 60s.

He had half of them take ubiquinol while the other half took ubiquinone for a month. Then both groups took nothing the second month. During the third month the two groups reversed what they were taking previously. Both forms of CoQ10 were given at 200 mg daily.

He measured their blood levels of CoQ10 monthly and noticed very little difference between the two forms of CoQ10. One person's blood levels even went down with ubiquinol. Dr. Sinatra did get reports of fatigue from the ubiquinol users, which surprised him. [2]

A couple of his colleagues had similar patient reports of fatigue with ubiquinol. A woman who commented on Dr. Sinatra's article mentioned how she changed to ubiquinol to further improve her reduced blood pressure results from CoQ10. But her blood pressure went back up instead.

Bottom line, save your money. Get a good quality CoQ10 at half the price of ubiquinol products to realize the many benefits of supplementing CoQ10.

Test time for CoQ10

Here are two CoQ10 research study summaries. The first involves reducing inflammation markers among coronary artery diseased (CAD) subjects. Arterial inflammation has recently been discovered as the root cause of cardiovascular disease, displacing cholesterol clogged arteries as the main culprit (http://www.naturalnews.com).

This study took place 2011-2012 at Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan. The researchers took 51 patients, gave some placebos (how unfair!), some 60 mg of CoQ10 daily, and others 150 mg for 12 weeks.

The researchers discovered decreased inflammation markers according to dosage levels. The higher the amount, the less there were signs of inflammation. They concluded that CoQ10 dosages of 150 mg may reduce CAD inflammation. [3]

A rather broad Italian study, conducted in 2010 by the University of Pisa examined the prospects of treating various neurological diseases sparked by mitochondrial defects from CoQ10 deficiencies. Those neurological diseases included Parkinson's disease and others.

This research team simply reviewed other studies that demonstrated CoQ10's efficacy in neurological diseases. They also commented on statin drugs inhibiting CoQ10 production as a factor for inducing neurological disorders among those on statin medications. [4]

By the way, inhibiting CoQ10 is a statin drug side effect, which may be compensated with CoQ10 supplements. However, even the main purpose of statins, reducing cholesterol, creates a risk factor for neurological diseases.

Cholesterol is a main ingredient of the brain and nervous system as well as part of the skin's function as the first step toward converting sunshine's UVB rays into vitamin D. So reducing cholesterol is risky business that does little to inhibit the true cause of heart disease, inflammation.

But CoQ10 reduces arterial inflammation and restores or maintains neurological health. Supplementing CoQ10 is a wise choice for anyone with cardiovascular risk factors or the desire to protect against potential dementia issues. [5]

Sources for this article include:

[1] http://www.naturalnews.com

[2] http://www.drsinatra.com

[3] http://www.vitasearch.com

[4]http://science.naturalnews.com

[5]http://www.naturalnews.com