CoQ10 was first isolated from beef heart mitochondria by Dr. Frederick Crane of Wisconsin, U.S.A., in 1957. The same year, Professor Morton of England defined a compound obtained from vitamin A deficient rat liver to be the same as CoQ10. Professor Morton introduced the name ubiquinone, meaning the ubiquitous quinone. In 1958, Professor Karl Folkers and coworkers at Merck, Inc., determined the precise chemical structure of CoQ10: 2,3 dimethoxy-5 methyl-6 decaprenyl benzoquinone, synthesized it, and were the first to produce it by fermentation.
In the mid-1960’s, Professor Yamamura of Japan became the first in the world to use coenzyme Q7 (a related compound) in the treatment of human disease: congestive heart failure. In 1966, Mellors and Tappel showed that reduced CoQ6 was an effective antioxidant In 1972 Gian Paolo Littarru of Italy along with Professor Karl Folkers documented a deficiency of CoQ10 in human heart disease. By the mid-1970’s, the Japanese perfected the industrial technology to produce pure CoQ10 in quantities sufficient for larger clinical trials.
In normal aging, the body loses it’s ability to manufacture adequate amounts of CoQ-10. Levels of CoQ-10 can decline by as much as 80% as you age. It is thought that the decreased levels of CoQ-10 brought on by aging may lead to age-related discomforts. The efficacy and safety of CoQ10 in the treatment of congestive heart failure, whether related to primary cardiomyopathies or secondary forms of heart failure, appears to be well established
Coenzyme Q10 is the coenzyme for at least three mitochondrial enzymes (complexes I, II and III) as well as enzymes in other parts of the cell. Mitochondrial enzymes of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway are essential for the production of the high-energy phosphate, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), upon which all cellular functions depend.
Yet, in this age, a patient may be cured of leukemia through multiple courses of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation, only to die slowly of unrecognized thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Like the vitamins discovered in the early part of this century, CoQ10 is an essential element of food that can now be used medicinally to support the sick host in conditions where nutritional depletion and cellular dysfunction occur. Surely, the combination of disease attacking strategy and host supportive treatments would yield much better results in clinical medicine.
Coenzyme Q10 is an important link in the chain of chemical reactions, which produces this energy. It’s also a potent antioxidant – a chemical that “mops up” harmful free radicals generated during normal metabolism.
Since CoQ10 is essential to the optimal function of all celltypes, it is not surprising to find a seemingly diverse number of disease states, which respond favorably to CoQ10 supplementation. All metabolically active tissues are highly sensitive to a deficiency ofCoQ10. CoQ10’s function as a free radical scavenger only adds to the protean manifestations of CoQ10 deficiency.
What are the benefits of CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q-10 may even help facilitate weight loss due to its stimulating effects on the body’s metabolism. Dietary supplementation for adults taking Coenzyme Q-10 should be between 30 and 90 mg per day, although for serious health problems a physician may recommend higher amounts. The assimilation of Coenzyme Q-10 may be better if taken with a fatty substance such as oil, peanut butter, olive oil, etc. Conclusion: Calling all bodybuilders–for an awesome antioxidant, fat burner, and energy enhancer, try Coenzyme Q-10
Researchers have explored the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation in people with periodontal disease, which has been linked to coenzyme Q10 deficiency .
The antioxidant or free radical quenching properties of CoQ10 serve to greatly reduce oxidative damage to tissues as well as significantly inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
This has great implications in the treatment of ischemia and reperfusion injury as well as the potential for slowing the development of atherosclerosis.
Deficiency symptoms of CoQ10
Insufficient dietary CoQ10, impairment in CoQ10 biosynthesis, excessive utilization of CoQ10 by the body, or any combination of the three, may cause CoQ10 deficiency.
Along with aging, other factors may deplete the body of CoQ-10, affecting the body’s ability to manufacture adequate amounts and increasing the risk of a deficiency.
These are: poor eating habits, stress and particular conditions such as an infection.
A deficiency may also have a direct impact on many other body functions as well.
Because high concentrations are also stored in the liver, maintaining and adequate supply of CoQ-10 and preventing a deficiency may ensure that it is properly nourished and performing at its peak.
Daily requirement
The dosage of CoQ10 used in clinical trials has evolved over the past 20 years. Initially, doses as small as 30 to 45 mg per day were associated with measurable clinical responses in patients with heart failure. More recent studies have used higher doses with improved clinical response, again in patients with heart failure.
CoQ10 is fat-soluble and absorption is significantly improved when it is chewed with a fat-containing food.