Billions of years ago, before Co-enzyme Q10 evolved, oxygen was toxic to life on Planet Earth’s surface. After the Co-enzyme Q10 was created, life forms were able to breathe oxygen.  All living creatures; all plants, animals and humans, have the Co-enzyme Q10.

 Humans must have Co-enzyme Q10 to be able to absorb oxygen into our blood stream and produce the energy we need to live. The Co-enzyme Q10 is an absolutely fundamental biological requirement for life on Earth. Without it, we would die.

Because of this, our bodies are Co-enzyme Q10 ‘factories’. Up to the age of around 20, our bodies produce, naturally, our basic requirement of about 500mg per day. After that, our body’s capacity to produce the Q10 Co-enzyme gradually declines. By the time we’re 40, our body is producing only about 75% of the Q10 needed to enable all of our body cells to function with 100% efficiency. Natural Q10 production is progressively diminished, up until our death. For humans, this is a part of the process of ‘growing old’.

Within all of our body cells is a mechanism that produces energy. These mechanisms are called mitochondria. You can think of these as microscopic ‘engines’ with biological fuel that is ignited by a kind of ‘spark plug’. That ‘spark plug’ is the Co-enzyme Q10.

Or, imagine these mitochondria as tiny batteries: When their energy is released into your system and used up by your body, the ‘batteries’ run down, and need to be re-charged, over and over again.

Our body has 80,000,000,000,000 (80 trillion) cells, all of which need to be continually re-charged. You must have about 500 milligrams (5 grams) of Co-enzyme Q10, each and every day, to keep all  of the cells in your body fully  energized and re-charged.

The Co-enzyme Q10 is also a catalyst for metabolism; the complex chain of chemical reactions in which your body turns food into energy. It speeds up metabolism and enables your body to digest food, heal wounds, maintain healthy muscles, aid weight control and perform countless other functions in your body.

Having a sufficient amount of Co-Q10 promotes maximum efficiency within each cell of your body. Co-Q10 deficiency impairs your body’s ability to maintain optimum efficiency. Co-enzyme Q10 is an essential catalyst in your Life Force!

Up to about age 20, our bodies can produce all the Co-enzyme Q10 we need to keep our cells energized and re-charged. After that, our body’s’ ability to make Co-Q10 is diminished.

By the time we reach 40, our systems are coming up short about 25%; this means our body is producing more than 100mg less, per day, of the Co-Q10 than we require to keep all of our cells re-charged. This is called a Co-enzyme Q10 deficiency.

When we reach age 50, our bodies are producing 30-35% less Q10 than when we were 20, and by age 60, the Q10 shortfall is around 40% (a 200mg deficiency, per day); which our bodies no longer produce within the system’s natural, biological process.

(Graph: Rate of natural Q10 production decline)

Certain foods have some Co-Q10 content, but a normal, healthy diet can supply only a fraction of the after-40 Co-Q10 deficiency from which our bodies suffer. However, in recent times, biologists and other scientists have learned a way to supplement the Co-enzyme Q10 our bodies are unable to manufacture, as we grow older.

Various studies have been performed in the US and elsewhere, some of which are not considered conclusive, in an official sense. However, many Co-Q10 users and their practitioners, plus a number of health monitoring organizations in the US , Australia , Canada and Europe have reported significant success with a wide range of uses:

Heart  Treatment for improved heart function and circulation for people with congestive heart failure; a weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy); high blood pressure; heart rhythm disorders; chest pain (angina) or Raynaud’s disease. Some reports show Co-Q10 protects against blood clots in the cardiovascular system.

Anitoxidant  Co-Q10 is a natural antioxidant (such as vitamins C & E), helping to neutralize the cell-damaging molecules in our bodies known as ‘free radicals’.  These antioxidants help prevent the artery-blocking process caused by cholesterol.

Weight Control  Due to its metabolism-increasing properties and its general improvement of body chemistry balance and function, Co-Q10 has been useful in promoting weight loss in some people; when combined with proper diet and daily exercise.

Epidermis  Many Co-Q10 users report a dramatic improvement in the health and appearance of their epidermis (skin) after a few weeks, such as; smoother, more robust facial complexion, reduced ‘liver spots’ (hands), diminished skin blemishes & disorders (warts, scalely skin, dandruff etc) and healthier skin color.

Other Reports There are many credible claims about benefits of Co-Q10 supplements; some supported by research studies and others by the personal testimony of Co-Q10 users or their practitioners:

• Statin drugs deplete the body’s Co-Q10 levels ((cholesterol-lowering & other medications, such as; Lipitor, Pravochol, Zocor, Lescol, Lepur, Liporex, Zarator, Maxudin, Kymazol, Redusterol & others). To maintain a healthy level of Co-Q10 in the body, a supplement dosage of as much as 200mg per day or more may be necessary to combat this side-effect of these drugs.

• Some findings show Co-enzyme Q10 improves insulin sensitivity and hypoglycaemia. Practitioners report it helps stabilize blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. However, no claim is made that it alters the need for diabetes medications.

• Various clinical evidence suggests that Co-Q10 may help prevent / reduce the degenerative process and/or prolong life in relation to Alzheimer’s disease, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease, AIDS and certain types of cancer.

• Many reports indicate Co-Q10 supplements may slow the ageing process, combat chronic fatigue syndrome, relieve effects of allergies and boost the body’s immune system.

An extensive volume of documented evidence has been established around the globe which shows conclusively that Co-enzyme Q10 supplements strengthen the heart muscle. Many US , Australian and other doctors are now recommending Co-Q10 supplements as an aid to prevention of cardiac disease and heart attacks.

Many cardiologists and heart surgeons also prescribe Co-Q10 for patients who are recovering from heart attacks, to assist recovery and to restore the heart’s strength following surgery.

Co-Q10 has been referred to as an ‘anti-ageing’ agent. One reason is that Q10 supplements have been shown to be particularly effective in strengthening the heart and other vital organs.

After a few weeks of using Co-enzyme Q10 supplement, many people notice a significant improvement in their facial complexions. This is thought to be the result of a correction in the body’s need to assign priority (or; adjust the rate levels) to the organs to which it delivers its ever-diminishing supply of naturally-produced Co-Q10, after we’ve passed age 20.

The main function of the epidermis (skin), the largest body organ, is to contain body fluids and prevent invasion of external elements. Your skin can continue to perform this function even after it becomes wrinkled, faded and blemished! This way, the most vital organs of your body, such as your heart, lungs, brain, liver etc, can get priority in the delivery of your body’s naturally-produced Co-Q10, while other, less crucial organs, such as the epidermis, may get less.

When the body cells become less active as a result of their diminished supply of Q10, they can become repositories for toxic residues which enter your body and are not carried away by the lymph system.* As these cells are restored by Co-Q10 supplement, they can expel these toxins and take on a new life.

Once this happens, people often begin to look younger. Their facial complexion becomes smoother and more robust in only a short time! Over time, some Q10 users are seen to appear years younger than their actual age.

*(Buildups of toxic residues in body cells are known to be a forerunner in the development of cancer cells. According to the National Cancer Institute ( USA ), Co-enzyme Q10 supplements can help the body to resist certain types of cancer.)

Co-Q10 is a completely safe dietary supplement. Some temporary side effects, such as nausea (although rare) have been reported by persons taking a megadosage (more than 200mg daily) of Co-Q10 capsules. Drug interactions are reported to be minimal, if any.

It has been suggested that persons taking Warfarin medication should consult with their medical practitioner before using Q10 supplements.

There is no available evidence that Q10 conflicts with any other medications, as it is a replica of the body’s existing, natural Q10 biology. Therefore, it is more likely to enhance the effectiveness of medication therapies, in certain instances.

“Dr. Cliff Shults, M.D., of the University of San Diego, California, told 2007 INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SYMPOSIUMdelegates in London that a high-dosage application of Co Q10 can bring about dramatic results in Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Flint Beal, M.D., from Cornell University in the United States , mentioned very good results in the use of Co Q10 with patients suffering from Huntington’s disease. Asthma, ulcerous colitis, periodontal disease, fibromyalgia, cirrhosis of the liver, skin diseases, cataracts, and premature aging are health problems that may be dealt with by using Co-Q10. ”

“Good news for diabetics was provided by the doctors Choon Nam , M.D., from the University of Singapore , and Janatha Hadgson, Ph.D., from the University of Australia. Both mentioned the fact that Co Q10 helps stabilize the blood sugar of diabetics.”

“For patients suffering from hypertension, Co Q10 helped to improve endothelial function, calming and dilating arteries to enable blood pressure to return to normal levels. Other studies presented at the London conference revealed the usefulness of Co-Q10 in the case of heart failure that causes peripheral stasis, the time of recovering from a heart attack, and the relief of angina.”

“During the conference, discussions took place about indications of the causes of a reduction and/or destruction of Co-Q10 in the human body. Thus, the following information came to light: in 1990, (relating to US Patent 4929437), Merck & Co. proved that drugs containing statin can cause permanent damage to the liver. This destruction takes place because these drugs destroy existing Co-Q10.”

“In the same year, Nobel Prize recipient Dr. Michael S. Brown, M.D., proved that statin drugs destroy the existing (naturally-produced) Co-Q10 and cause muscle pains, weakness, and myopathy. Medicines known to be antagonists to natural Co Q10 production, as reported by Dr. Peter Langsjoen, M.D., are; Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol, Lestol, and Mevacor. ‘The problem may be improved if the patient uses Co-Q10 supplements’, he said.”

“An encouraging piece of news from the international meeting in London was that Dr. Julian Whitaker, M.D., stated he had exercised a legal demand before the FDA (US Food & Drug Administration) for the above drugs to include a notice stating that they hinder production of Co-enzyme Q-10 and place the patient at risk; these risks include liver problems, myopathy, heart disease and heart failure.”

DISCLAIMER: No medical advice is intended to be provided by this website. All data herein is obtained from independent laboratory reports, statements and reports published by medical and health organizations, various medical and health journals, ALP consultants and product information materials. A conscientious and dedicated effort has been made to assure that the information supplied here originates from credible sources and that it is accurate and genuine in context, overall content and detail. Persons with specialized health problems or medical conditions are duly advised to consult with qualified, knowledgeable health practitioners as to the application of Co-enzyme Q10 supplements for their particular needs.