Why People Use Co Q10

 

If your body is lacking CoQ10 many medical conditions are aggravated. It is most concentrated in the heart and liver and is also a vital component in the mitochondria, the body's metabolic factories. It would take one pound of sardines, or two-and-a-half pounds of peanuts, to provide about 30mg of CoQ10. This is at the very minimum recommended daily allowance. In reality, the typical daily intake of CoQ10 from dietary sources is only about 3-5 mg per day - this isn't anywhere near the level required to significantly raise blood and tissue levels. Coenzyme Q10 is one of the primary treatments for cardiovascular disease in Japan for approximately 12 million people - based on the evidence established by Folkers et al., showing that CoQ10 levels were decreased in patients with heart disease.

COQ10 and Statin Drugs

CoQ10 is such a powerful supplement! CoQ10 does so many things in the body from generating energy (especially for the heart) to acting as a powerful antioxidant. CoQ10 levels decrease with age and with our hectic, stressful lifestyles. 

Statin drugs like Lipitor etc. have been proven to dramatically lower levels of CoQ10. I believe everyone on a statin drug HAS to take CoQ10. Dr Murphree's CoQ10 is absorbed at rates far higher than most CoQ10 on the market.

Statins (Lipitor, Crestor, Mevacor, Zocor) block the body’s production of CoQ10. A CoQ10 deficiency can lead to muscle pain (a common side effect for those taking statins), angina (chest or heart pain), hypertension, accelerated aging, and heart disease. The heart is one of the largest muscles in the body. CoQ10 deficiencies can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF). Coenzyme Q10 lessens the incidence of angina attacks, arrhythmias (irregular heart beats), cardiomyopathy (heart muscle damage), congestive heart failure (CHF), heart valve irregularities, hypertension, mitral valve prolapse, and periodontal disease; protects LDL cholesterol against oxidation; increases exercise tolerance; burns unwanted fat; supports healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels; and is beneficial to smokers.

Many healthcare professionals are now recommending coenzyme Q10 supplements to replace coenzyme Q10 depleted in our system because of statin (cholesterol-lowering) drugs. 

How does CoQ10 work?

Each cell in the body needs a source of energy to survive, so cells break down sugars, fats, and amino acids to make energy. Small enclosures within cells that make this energy are called mitochondria. CoQ10 exists naturally in our mitochondria and carries electrons involved in energy metabolism. CoQ10 is essential in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the basic energy molecule of each cell.

In the bloodstream, CoQ10 is mainly transported by lipoproteins such as LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). It is thought that CoQ10 is one of the first antioxidants to be depleted when LDL is subjected to oxidation. Hence, CoQ10 is an important nutrient that prevents the oxidation of lipoproteins, thus potentially reducing the risk of arteries from forming plaques and getting damaged.
In healthy individuals, CoQ10 is found in high concentrations in the heart, kidneys, and liver.

CoQ10 Information

Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like compound found in virtually every cell in the body—and is essential to producing the energy needed to keep trillions of cells running smoothly. This cellular energy runs many of our body’s key systems including the circulatory, immune, and endocrine systems. 

Not getting enough of the right foods, aging, and using oral contraceptives and statin drugs can deplete your body of the all-important coenzyme Q10—leaving you without the energy to fight aging, heart problems, dementia, and cancer. 

Fortunately, coenzyme Q10 can be created in all the tissues in the body which makes this the primary source of coenzyme Q10. But this complex process requires at least eight vitamins, several trace minerals, and the amino acid tyrosine. If the body does not get these critical nutrients from the diet, it will be unable to produce the amounts of coenzyme Q10 needed for optimal health. 

Aging is another factor in coenzyme Q10 deficiency. At the age of 20, our coenzyme Q10 levels peak. By the age of 40, the body has 40% less coenzyme Q10 than at age 20 and 60% less at age 70. 

In addition, statin drugs that are used to lower cholesterol come with side effects that deplete the body of necessary coenzyme Q10. While these drugs effectively block cholesterol production, they also block coenzyme Q10 production leaving the body deficient in this important compound. Birth control pills can also negatively impact coenzyme Q10 levels.

Since 1957, when coenzyme Q10 was first isolated, thousands of studies have shown proven health benefits when using coenzyme Q10—especially cardiovascular benefits. According to Stephen T. Sinatra, MD: "More than 30,000 citations on the Internet alone cite the proven benefits of coenzyme Q10 in treating a wide variety of degenerative diseases, especially clinical cardiac conditions including congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, angina (“heart cramp”), and arrhythmia, as well as other cardiological situations."

Other studies suggest that coenzyme Q10 may be useful for hypertension, improve renal function in those with chronic kidney failure, decrease the need for dialysis, and elevate coenzyme Q10 levels—as well as antioxidant protection—in cells and tissues.

About Dr Murphree's CoQ10 Formula

We are committed to providing the highest quality most absorbable form of CoQ10. This reduces the amount one needs to take for optimal effectiveness. There are less expensive CoQ10 products available, however, these are usually from inferior manufacturers and are made with fillers that prevent adequate absorption. Don't settle for second best. Make sure your CoQ10 is being absorbed. Don't compromise on your health.