Coenzyme Q10, also called CoQ10 and medically know as ubquinone, is a naturally occurring compound within humans and animals that is used for the healthy growth and protection of cells. In the 1990s, with the growing interest in health and fitness, CoQ10 became one of the latest must-have nutritional supplements. While some of the information surrounding CoQ10 is still incomplete, we do know that the compound is an essential part of a healthy biochemistry and can potentially be used to treat or prevent some serious health problems.
The Facts
CoQ10 is in the coenzyme family. Coenzymes are nonprotein compounds that are bound to proteins and are necessary for the proper biological function of proteins within the body. CoQ10, specifically, is a vitaminlike compound that is found within every cell in the human body and is essential (along with other compounds) for the production of energy within all cells. Furthermore, it has been known to function as an antioxidant, protecting against cell damage. While CoQ10 is found many different foods, its greatest concentrations are in the organs, such as the liver and heart.
History
CoQ10 was identified in 1957 by American doctor Fredrick Crane when working with proteins from cow hearts. Crane's work was corroborated when, later in the same year, British Professor R. A. Morton also isolated the compound. Morton is credited with giving CoQ10 its scientific name when he labeled it ubquinone. By 1972 Italian scientists had noted significant CoQ10 deficiencies in people who suffered from heart disease. By the early 1980s the process of producing large quantities of pure CoQ10 had been perfected and worldwide clinical trials were underway.
Function
CoQ10 works in the human body similarly to Vitamin E, in that it reduces harmful free-radicals, thus protecting cells. As the highest concentration of CoQ10 is found in the heart, it has become a tool in the prevention of heart disease and congestive heart failure in at-risk individuals. CoQ10 is also known to play a vital role in other elements of cardiovascular health by lowering blood viscosity, inhibiting the formation of blood clots in the arteries, and keeping blood pressure at a healthy level.
Potential
As a complete understanding of CoQ10 is still a work in progress, scientists are tantalized by the possibilities of the compound as a potential treatment for cancer and AIDS. Since the 1960s researchers have been aware that people who suffered from various types of cancers also had significantly lower-than-normal levels of CoQ10 in their systems. Furthermore, as it has been found that CoQ10 can improve immune system function, research is ongoing in the hope that it can be used as treatment for a host of diseases.
Warning
Before using CoQ10 as a nutritional supplement, consult your physician, as it is known to interact adversely with some medications such as Lipitor and Zocor. People who have low blood pressure should also use caution, as CoQ10 has been known to lower blood pressure. Consult your pharmacist to ensure that the CoQ10 you are taking is of the highest quality.
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