Protect Heart, Brain, Immune Health & More with CoQ10

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Protect Heart, Brain, Immune Health & More with CoQ10 By Dr. S. phsCo-Founder & Chairman, Vitacost.com 05/03/2007As you know, I usually start my weekly newsletter by reviewing some of the latest medical literature and then giving specific recommendations. This week I thought I'd do it differently because I want the half a million loyal readers of this newsletter to get on board with an important nutrient I'm going to discuss. The nutrient is called coenzyme Q10

(CoQ10).A quick search at the National Library of Medicine shows about 1,600 published medical journal articles regarding CoQ10, beginning in February of 1960 (over 47 years ago). CoQ10 is found in almost all cells in the body and is a critical component in energy production within the mitochondria (power plants) in cells. Without adequate levels of this important nutrient, our cells would literally be unable to function and die.CoQ10 is one of the most amazing nutrients I've ever studied. The fact I'm a practicing neurologist and section chief of neurology at a major hospital, with most of my days spent seeing patients with poor neurological health, is the reason I'm so excited about CoQ10. It can help protect brain cells, especially those involved in controlling cognitive health and movement. As certain dopamine-producing brain cells are depleted with aging, stiffness, tremor, difficulty walking and a host of other neurological issues can result.

In fact, studies indicate that around the fourth decade of life, these critical brain cells start dying. This is most likely the result of increased free radical damage and depletion of CoQ10.Based on the most current double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in humans, I've been recommending 1,200 mg a day of CoQ10 to my patients for promoting optimal brain health. There was an article published in January 2007 in the journal CNS Spectrums1. Dr. Young from Duke University indicated that CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that buffers potential adverse consequences of free radicals produced during oxidative phosphorylation in the inner mitochondrial membrane. He indicated that available data suggests oral CoQ10 seems to be relatively safe and tolerated at 300 to 2,400 mg a day.CoQ10, however, does a lot more than just protect the brain and nervous system. In the April 2007 Journal of Human Hypertension, Australian researchers did a

meta-analysis on 12 clinical trials regarding unhealthy blood pressure2. Study authors concluded that CoQ10 has the potential to decrease systolic blood pressure by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic pressure by up to 10 mm Hg without significant side effects in individuals with unhealthy blood pressure. Because of the heavy concentration of CoQ10, especially in the heart, this nutrient has been shown in clinical trials to promote healthy cardiovascular function. Typical dosages for this benefit are in the 200 to 600 mg per day range.A study in November 2006 at the Lancisi Heart Institute, published in the European Heart Journal, indicated 300 mg per day (100 mg taken three times daily) of CoQ10 improved heart function3. When exercise was included, heart function improved even more. The average age of patients was 59 and included both men and women.There are numerous studies indicating CoQ10 can benefit immunity. This makes sense when

you consider your immune cells also need energy to function. Other studies indicate CoQ10 is critical for healthy gums, and I know periodontal surgeons who recommend it to their patients. More and more studies indicate if you have unhealthy gums you'll also have poor cardiovascular health. Suzi What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. health/ http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/ http://360./suziesgoats

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