Cardiac & Total Body Energy Provision via Ubiquinone - Co-Enzyme Q10.

The treatment of different cardiac, cardiovascular, serious medical conditions and significant energy deficit problems using supplements of Ubiquinone in a therapeutic and illness recovery role, has generated enormous interest in the field of medicine. The compound Ubiquinone, (also known as Co -Enzyme Q10) is well known, and is one of the many important enzymes in the body taking part in consolidating the strength and efficiency of various essential biochemical pathways in every single human cell. This vitamin like compound is present in all cells, being found predominantly in the mitochondria (cell nucleus), where it performs a vital role in the generation of cellular energy. It also plays a major role in maintaining and boosting cellular energy and also effectively combating fatigue/stress levels in conditions such as MS and ME.

Another very positive action of Q10, is the discovery of it as a highly effective biochemical compound for preventing the oxidation of LDL- low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, (our ‘bad’ cholesterol), thus Q10 can significantly assist in the prevention of atherosclerosis/heart disease in susceptible individuals.

This has been clinically proven in several studies where it was demonstrated, that patients affected by congestive heart failure and other types of cardiovascular diseases had considerably lower amounts of the Q10 in their cardiac tissues. In such individuals, daily use of Ubiquinone supplements as low as just 100 mg led to a very marked improvement as far as the disease was concerned, and these results confirm the importance of Q10 in the treatment of any cardiac disorder. Based on these findings, an increasing number of countries are adopting Q10 supplementation to treat heart problems. To name one of the first nations to do so, the treatment of congestive heart failure and all cardiac related disorders in Japanese health facilities, now routinely involves Q10 supplementation,

One pernicious effect of strokes and cardiac arrests in the body is, that it leads to the release of many free radicals ( a cell damaging process) accompanied by the destruction of vital tissues in a phenomenon called ‘ischaemia reperfusion’. Reperfusion is the tissue damage caused when blood supply returns to the tissue after a period of ischaemia, (meaning lack of oxygen) and it is an issue which can prove fatal to the person suffering from this ailment.

It has been discovered that high Q10 levels in the bodies of patients suffering from congestive heart failure or a stroke, results in measurably less tissue damage. These results have also been supported by the clinical studies of Japanese medical researchers (the world leaders in this field), who discovered that use of Q10 supplements immediately before and following open heart surgery, often results in the prevention of any reperfusion trauma.

This is very good news, as such a trauma is one of the most common physical complications following open heart surgery. In other clinical tests carried out in Japanese laboratories, it was found that all people affected by disorders like chronic stable angina, mitral valve prolapse and even the far more commonly occurring arrhythmia (an irregularity in the heart beat), can benefit greatly from Q10 supplementation.

The use of Q10 has resulted in the successful treatment of different types of heart muscle diseases that tend to directly affect the pumping capacity of the heart; disorders collectively known as 'cardiomyopathies'. In these studies, patients suffering from cardiomyopathies were given as little as 100 mg a day of Q10 supplementation for twelve months, and it was found that even at such low daily doses, it still resulted in improved pumping capacity (medically known as ‘increased ejection fraction‘) but in addition, other benefits also occurred. All the patients in the study reported that they were able to breathe more comfortably and without exception, all of them displayed a measurably increased percentage of muscular strength and energy level dynamics.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) may also be more treatable using supplemental Q10. In one clinical study that involved one hundred and nine long term hypertension affected patients who were already using many different anti-hypertensive drugs, Q10 supplements at 225 mg per day led to significant improvement in the functional status of every patient. The supplement permitted over 50% of the patients under study, to significantly decrease the dosages of the majority of the other medications used for reducing their blood pressure issues.

Q10 supplementation also led to an average decrease in systolic blood pressure ( the pressure when the heart makes the contraction to pump the blood) of most of the patients, with patients on average registering a fall from 159 to 147 mm Hg. The diastolic pressure ( the pressure when the heart relaxes after each contractile phase) also fell from a high of 94 to 85 mm Hg.  Studies held in Japan have proved these results to be clinically valid and hence, Ubiquinone supplements are therefore a potential remedial positive for hypertension sufferers.

Different effects of Q10 supplementation have been investigated in many laboratories worldwide. In clinical studies conducted on human test subjects at the University of Ancona in Italy, it was found that when supplemental Q10 was introduced it caused a lowering in bloodstream levels of the hormone epinephrine (better known as adrenalin) in addition to lowering the levels of other catecholamines (stress induced hormones) in the blood chemistry of tested subjects. The ability of Q10 to actually lower elevated blood pressure is considered to be connected to its ’dampening’ effect on the hormone adrenaline; whilst allied to this, the ability of Q10 to lower the potential for certain forms of arrhythmias is once again, considered to be due to its ’calming’ biochemical effect on the amount of adrenalin in the bloodstream.

Granted, the body does produce some Coenzyme Q10, for use mainly in energy production at cellular level, but it can also be obtained from diet; and organ meats are reliable sources. Unfortunately though, bodily quantities of Ubiquinone vary greatly with age and its levels peak when someone is in the region of twenty years of age. A seventy year old man or woman, will have around fifty per cent less Q10 in their heart muscles compared to a twenty year old, hence this significant factor in the overall weakening of the human heart as we age. Also encapsulated in the equation, are the laws of bio-availability in humans, making basic absorption capability from nutrition, decrease as we age.

Research conducting human trials with supplemental Q10 are profoundly encouraging, regarding its supplementation benefiting many people. Older individuals, (particularly those leading active lives) and even younger individuals functioning under clinical stress conditions can easily develop Q10 deficiency and such people can be greatly helped by supplementing with it. Although clinicians generally suggest doses of 30 to 60 mg a day to be sufficient for maintaining standard daily good health, the dosage requirement will be significantly higher. Such examples would if the dosage was used to support the treatment of clinically diagnosed disorders, engaging in athletical pursuits, recovering from illness, or for those who lead lives in pressurised or demanding environments. Such a dose would be 200 - 400mg daily.

Q10 is best absorbed when consumed following a meal that contains some fat. In more specific application, Q10 can be of the great benefit when taken with soy or vegetable oil, as such fatty foods significantly aid in the absorption of this compound within the digestive system. However, normal meat with a percentage of fat will certainly suffice.

As Q10 is one the baseline biochemical foundations of the human body; present science proclaims that supplements of it do not generate any side effects, most especially with the reduced absorption capability in older individuals. This is one of the reasons why there is no clinically recommended RDA (Recommended Daily Amount) anywhere in the world. Supplemented Q10 is rapidly absorbed in the stomach with no disruption of any of the body’s normal biochemical pathways, and there have been no reports of any toxic effects, even at daily dosages higher than 900 mg, in individuals who use it to that level.

Supplemental Q10 use in women who are pregnant or lactating may not be without some risk, although yet again, even internationally in this area, reports are yet to indicate even the vaguest peripheral existence of any problems taking place, as a result of prospective or new mothers supplementing with Q10. In the interests of simple common sense however, dosages as high as 900mg daily might well be unwise long or short term, as such a very high intake might well have consequences that nutritional science has yet to discover.

Alan Gordon MSc. BSc. (Hons 1st) Adv Dip Clncl Spts Thpy.  Adv Dip Clcnl Stress Mgmt.