Enzymes are protein substances found in plants, animals, humans, and all living things. They are necessary for the building and rebuilding of tissues and cells. Enzymes are catalysts that influence all life systems in our bodies; they are produced by living cells but are capable of acting independently. They are complex proteins that can induce chemical changes in other substances without being changed themselves.
Many enzymes consist of two parts: the protein portion and the cofactor portion. The protein portion is determined by the genetic code. The cofactor portion can be made up of minerals (such as calcium, magnesium and zinc), vitamins, or both. When the cofactor is a vitamin, it may be called a ‘coenzyme’.
Cells do not use the nutrients consumed in the diet as their immediate supply of energy. Instead, they use these nutrients to create an energy-rich compound called adenosine triphosphate, or simply ATP. ATP is the ‘fuel’ used for most of the energy-requiring processes within the cell. The synthesis of ATP occurs in cell components called ‘mitochondria’. One of the enzymes that mitochondria use to make ATP is called “succinate dehydrogenase CoQ10 reductase”.
Although ATP serves as the energy currency for all cells, only about three ounces of ATP are stored in the body at any one time! This would provide only enough energy to sustain strenuous activity, such as running as fast as you can, for 5 to 8 seconds. Therefore, ATP must be constantly synthesized to provide a continuous supply of energy.
Where coenzyme Q10 comes in
Ubiquinone, another name for coenzyme Q10, is derived from the word ‘ubiquitous’ because the enzyme is found in all cells of the body. It is a naturally occurring molecule, and is a cofactor of an enzyme in the biochemical pathway by which ATP and most of the body’s energy are derived.
A need for supplemental coenzyme Q10 could arise for several reasons:
Because of its role in energy production, a deficiency of coenzyme Q10 could cause or aggravate many medical conditions.
When taken orally, coenzyme Q10 is taken up and utilized by the body. Because this enzyme plays such a vital role in energy production and can be administered orally, Q10 supplementation can correct Q10 deficiencies, along with associated medical problems.
Medical benefits of coenzyme Q1O
Coenzyme Q10 is present in all body cells. Heart and liver cells contain the greatest amount.
Clinical studies have shown that Q10 levels decrease as we get older, and research suggests this could be a large factor in age-related medical conditions.
A deficiency of coenzyme Q10 is common in cardiac patients. Myocardial biopsies conducted on patients with various cardiac diseases showed a deficiency of the enzyme in up to 75 percent of the patients studied.
Because the heart is so metabolically active and needs the constant supply of usable fuel for its constant contraction and pumping action, it is unusually susceptible to the effects of Q10 deficiency. Research points to this supplement as being of great promise in the treatment of heart disease. Patients suffering from a variety of heart problems, including angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, hyperthyroid heart failure and mitral valve prolapse have responded to Q10 supplementation with extraordinary clinical improvement and a significant increase in survival.
Coenzyme Q10 appears also to be useful for weight-loss, since it stimulates the mitochondria and increases the fat-burning process. Dr. Lu C Van Gaal and associates studied two groups of obese individuals on a controlled reducing diet. The only difference between the two groups was that one group was given daily doses of 100 mg of coenzyme Q10. Within nine weeks, the group on Q10 lost an average of 30 pounds, compared with an average of 13 pounds for the other group.
Dr. Edward C. Wilkinson, periodontal specialist and dental researcher, investigated some of the causes of gum disease. He and his co-researchers found that diseased dental tissue exhibited a remarkable deficiency in Q10. By supplementing patients with daily doses of Q10, Dr. Wilkinson and his team were able to reverse gum conditions that were threatening the life of the teeth. Even in seemingly hopeless cases, where the only other choice was to remove the teeth to treat the gums, the use of coenzyme Q10 showed great benefit.
Numerous studies have pointed out Q10 deficiencies in gum tissue. Peritonitis itself may lead to a localized enzyme deficiency. However, studies have shown that 86 percent of the patients also had low levels of coenzyme Q10 in white blood cells, indicating the presence of a systemic shortage.
Many illnesses are associated with abnormalities of immune system. Attempts to improve the immune function of the body are standard therapy in the treatment of cancers, chronic infections and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Just as important, but seldom thought about, is the energy needed by the immune system to perform its job! Since immunity demands a constant supply of first-grade energy, coenzyme Q10 must be in constant and adequate supply.
In a number of human studies, patients with various diseases including diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular problems were administered coenzyme Q10. Within three twelve weeks, significant increases in the level of immunoglobulin G were found in the serum of these patients. This increase could signify either a correction of immunodeficiency or an increase in immunocompetence.
As our knowledge of coenzyme Q10 expands, it may well someday be looked upon as the new Fountain of Youth.
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