CoQ10 Brochure- Coenzyme Q10

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. The Ultimate Antioxidant For Cardiovascular Protection

. Highest Absorption With Q-absorbT - Clinically Proven

. Supports Mitochondrial Function

A Critical Nutrient for the Cardiovascular System

Coenzyme Q10, often referred to as Co-Q or Co-Q10, is a nutrient that is critically involved in cardiovascular metabolism. Since its discovery in 1948, there has been substantial information pointing to the need to classify Co-Q10 as a vitamin. Dr. Karl Folkers, a pioneer in vitaminology and one of the discoverers of Co-Q10, believed that it should be classified as a vitamin. Vitamins are essential nutrients that we cannot synthesize; vitamins must be consumed through our diet via food or dietary supplements.

Co-Q10 is a compound that we can synthesize in our tissues and also obtain in varying amounts from the diet. However, the amount synthesized is small in comparison to our daily requirement and aging reduces the ability to synthesize this compound. Poor intestinal absorption of Co-Q10 amplifies the problem. Aging, again, makes matters worse. As Dr. Folkers showed towards the end of his career, the body begins to lose the ability to extract Co-Q10 from food as age advances. For individuals suffering from cardiac disorders, a significant portion of the Co- Q10 requirement must be met through the intake of Co-Q10 supplements. For these and other reasons, scientists are just now beginning to suggest that Co-Q10 should be classified as an essential or at least a conditionally essential vitamin.

Where is it Found? What Does it Do?

Coenzyme Q-10 is also known as ubiquinone because it is so widely distributed in plant and animal cells. Its chemical structure is related to that of vitamins E and K. There are Co- Qs with other numbers, such as Co-Q9, but only Co-Q10 is active in humans. It is necessary for energy production, immune response and protection against damage by free radicals. New discoveries are still being made with regard to its benefits and delivery. Jarrow FORMULAS® is at the forefront in funding important clinical research involving Co-Q10.

Co-Q10 is part of the mitochondrial electron transport system and is synthesized in all cells. It is essential to the body's production of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This holds special importance for the heart, which is spectacularly endowed with mitochondria and generally has the body's highest concentration of Co-Q10, although this nutrient may be relatively even more abundant in the brain.

Within the mitochondria, Co-Q10 is utilized in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. More than 90% of the energy of our cells is produced from the aerobic respiration that takes place in the mitochondria (in the inner lipid cristae membrane portion). Co-Q10 facilitates electron transfer within this inner membrane for the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the usable unit of energy.

Co-Q10 is not found just within the cell's organelles--Co-Q10 is also naturally present in the membranes of cells. Here one function of Co-Q10 is to make sure the membranes remain flexible. The fluidity of the membranes is crucial to proper physical performance inasmuch as membrane fluidity affects membrane receptors, carriers and enzymes.

Scientists have yet to unravel all of the mechanisms by which Co-Q10 acts in the body. For instance, recent research indicates that this nutrient plays a role in blood pressure regulation. Neither antioxidant nor mitochondrial actions by Co- Q10 appear to explain this role. Other areas in which Co-Q10 is important involve kidney function, periodontal (gum) health, blood sugar regulation and cognitive functioning into old age. It even has been suggested that Co-Q10 may be involved in regulating body weight.

The Added Benefits of Q-absorbT

The molecular structure and size of Co-Q10 impairs its absorption and efficiency when orally administered. Jarrow FORMULAS® Q-absorbT technology has been clinically shown to increase Co-Q10 absorption by as much as 493% over the baseline level in humans!

Q-absorbT reduces the amount of Co-Q10 required to raise blood concentration, thereby improving Co-Q10's mitochondrial function and increasing anti-oxidant activity. In fact, in clinical studies, Q-absorbT demonstrated improved absorption levels beyond 400% after 30 days, and significant increases at every interval of the test period.

Antioxidant Effects of Co-Q10

People are now aware of the acceleration of aging caused by free radicals. Free radicals cause cellular damage and weaken the immune system. Free radical molecules very often consist of an oxygen molecule that is eager to take electrons away from other molecules. This process is known as oxidation and is responsible for the deterioration of the organelles (such as the mitochondria) and other body tissues as functioning is impaired. Moreover, the damaged oxidized components of the body are recognized as foreign by the immune system, which then is activated to reduce the traumatized area.

Since free radical production increases as we age, the demand upon the immune system increases, too. However, the immune system, which is critically needed to ward off environmental pathogens, is less capable of regenerating itself with advancing years. The result is an exhausted immune system diverted into the fight against free radicals and thus too drained to fight effectively against common pathogens, such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

Supplementation of Co-Q10 may be imperative at such times to prevent deficiencies. Co-Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that can decrease the proliferation of free radicals and lighten the load of the immune system. Co-Q10 has been well researched and shown to be as effective an antioxidant as vitamin E. Experimental results demonstrate that oral supplementation with alpha-tocopherol taken alone can result in serum LDL that is more prone to oxidation initiation. However, cosupplementation with Co-Q10 not only prevents this prooxidant activity of vitamin E, but also provides the lipoprotein with increased resistance to oxidation. A different type of test found that alpha-tocopherol supplementation alone reduces blood Co-Q10 levels while improving antioxidant protection for blood lipids, thus indicating that Co-Q10 is required to regenerate the vitamin E radical. This suggests that in order to fully realize the antioxidant benefits of vitamin E and avoid the exhaustion of serum Co-Q10, co-supplementation with Co-Q10 or another similar antioxidant may be required.

Other Facts on Co-Q10

Approximately 43 million people in the world take Co-Q10 every day for health maintenance purposes. In Japan, an estimated 15 million people consume Co-Q10 every day for numerous disorders. In North America, however, less than 3 million take Co-Q10 daily.

Some progressive doctors have utilized Co-Q10 to improve cardiac function since the 1970's. Research has repeatedly shown improvement in many cardiac parameters. Whatever the research implies, a physician or qualified health practitioner should be consulted before making any change to your diet or exercise patterns.

Many Americans are directed by their physicians to take cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins. These drugs exert their cholesterol-reducing effect by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. Inhibition of the HMGCoA enzyme, however, blocks the biosynthesis of Co-Q10 and may result in deficient plasma and tissue levels of this nutrient. Indeed, statin drugs reduce Co-Q10 levels at approximately twice the rate that they reduce LDL cholesterol levels. Knowledgeable physicians are aware of recent data pointing to the benefits of complementing statin drugs with Co-Q10 and recommend accordingly.

Jarrow FORMULAS® supports research on the subjects of endothelial dysfunction and chronic heart failure, two important areas involving Co-Q10. With regard to the first, Italian scientists at the University of Ancona conducted a study that investigated endothelial function via peripheral arterial dilation in a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial. It demonstrated that Jarrow FORMULAS® Q-absorbT improves endothelial function in patients with ischemic heart disease and heart failure. This research was presented at the 3rd Annual International Co- Q10 Conference held in London at the end of 2003. Q-absorbT administration resulted in significant elevations in plasma Co- Q10 averaging a remarkable 3.7 mcg/mL plasma, peripheral arterial dilation, and an increase in peak VO2 (volume of oxygen consumed). The co-administration of Q-absorbT and exercise therapy resulted in the greatest gains, with endothelial dysfunction being almost normalized. More recently, scientists from the Lancisi Heart Institute and the University of Ancona further investigated the effects of Jarrow Formulas® Q-absorbT on chronic heart failure patients. In the study, 100 mg of Co-Q10 from Q-absorbT was given at each meal of the day, an approach that is superior to taking all 300 mg at one time. Patients showed improved heart functional capacity, enhanced endothelial-dependent vasodilation and a tripling of plasma Co-Q10 levels. It is believed by the researchers that the primary effect of Co-Q10 in this study may have been its SOD (superoxide dismiutase) mimetic effect that, by scavenging the superoxide radical, spared the subjects' nitric oxide (NO) levels. NO plays a critical role in endothelial relaxation and capillary dilation. Results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association held November 9-12, 2003 in Orlando, Florida. This research did not utilize ordinary Co-Q10. It was Q-absorbT that was used to demonstrate that "Coenzyme Q10 potentiates the effect of exercise training on the endothelium-dependent relaxation of the brachial artery in chronic heart failure." (Belardinelli R, et al. American Heart Association Supplement to Circulation. October 28, 2003. Vol.108 (17), pg. 739.)

In summary, Co-Q10 is:

1) An extremely important link in electron translocation that takes place in the mitochondria of the cells for the process of producing energy

2) An important coenzyme involved in maintaining membrane flexibility

3) An important dietary antioxidant

4) A promising anti-aging nutrient for longevity, etc.

Jarrow FORMULAS® Q-absorbT employs a completely natural proliposome lipid soluble delivery system clinically shown to increase Co-Q10 levels 150% of baseline within two weeks and to achieve results that are at least 28% higher than are realized with dry Co-Q10 capsules. Results within 30 days are more than 400% of baseline. Q-absorbT reduces the amount of supplemental Co-Q10 required to raise blood levels and it reduces the time required to see effects. Greater empirical results with Jarrow FORMULAS® Q-absorbT translate into greater customer satisfaction. The recommended daily dosage is 50 to 100 mg per day for individuals without any clinical conditions. With a clinical condition, such as congestive heart failure, the recommended dose based upon Jarrow Formulas funded clinical research is 150 and 300 mg per day. Take 1 or more capsules/softgels per day with food, or as directed by your qualified health consultant.

References

Belardinelli R, et al. Coenzyme Q10 potentiates the effect of exercise
training on the endothelium-dependent relaxation of the brachial artery
in chronic heart failure. American Heart Association Supplement to
Circulation. October 28, 2003. Vol.108 (17), pg. 739.
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Source: Jarrow Formulas