CoQ10
You’ve probably heard the health buzz around CoQ10 . . . that your body doesn’t have enough of it and you NEED MORE!  But what exactly is this nutrient, and why is it SO important for your health? Let’s take a look . . .

What is CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q10, better known as CoQ10 or simply Q10, is found in every cell of the body.   Its main job as a coenzyme is to help enzymes break down food, but those coenzymes serve other purposes as well.  CoQ10 also functions as an antioxidant, which helps protect your body against damage and deterioration, and has also been shown to help protect the heart and skeletal muscles.

CoQ10 goes far beyond just your heart and muscle health, though.  Studies have shown that it may increase lifespan in rats; and in human research it’s been shown that CoQ10 can be used in a supportive role to help address periodontal disease, radiation injuries, chronic migraines, and even Parkinson’s disease!

Even though your body naturally produces it, your levels of CoQ10 gradually decrease as you get older; and sharp declines can occur in patients suffering from diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and muscular dystrophy.  Many studies have been performed to find the correlation between CoQ10 and cardiovascular health, and even though further research is necessary, the results all suggest that this coenzyme has the ability to improve cardiovascular conditions.

It’s important to maintain the right levels of CoQ10, and even more so after the age of 30 when your levels begin to drop faster.  There are several benefits to keeping
Having enough CoQ10 is vital for maintaining an overall healthy body; and replenishing the levels of CoQ10 in certain situations has been shown to treat and significantly improve an individual’s condition.

One of the most common ailments that can be addressed with CoQ10 is hypertension, also known as high blood pressure.  Individuals who have high blood pressure have been found to harbor low levels of CoQ10.  It is not yet known if the high blood pressure is reducing the levels of CoQ10, or if a CoQ10 deficiency is causing the high blood pressure; but the important thing is that CoQ10 is at the center of the condition in some way.

In addition to high blood pressure, clinical studies suggest that administering CoQ10 either before or during heart surgery can help reduce the amount of damage caused by free radicals, as well as help maintain a regular heartbeat and prevent arrhythmia.

CoQ10 also has its uses in patients suffering from HIV/AIDS or cancer.  In individuals with HIV, AIDS, or other immunodeficiency diseases, adding concentrated doses of CoQ10 to their regular treatment could boost the immune system’s abilities and functions.

Conclusion – Should You Worry About CoQ10?
The best answer here is yes, you should!  OK, while you shouldn’t necessarily worry about it, you should at least monitor it from time to time to ensure you’re not deficient.  Although it can be used to help treat a number of conditions, the most important benefits are for the heart.

Here in the United States, it is available only as a dietary supplement; but that may change once the validity is proven time and time again through required additional research.  CoQ10 is more than just another ordinary supplement, though.  In fact, in Japan, the coenzyme has been approved for use in heart failure since 1974.  If you find yourself with an increased risk of heart disease, or have already developed cardiovascular disease, talk with your doctor and find out if increasing your CoQ10 intake will benefit you.