What is Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Coenzyme Q10 also Coenzyme Q10 , CoQ10, CoQ, Q10, CoQ10, or Q (2,3, dimethoxy-5-methyl-6 decaprenyl-1,4-benzoquinone) is an powerful, fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance found naturally in all forms of animal life. The compound is generally found in the energy-producing center of the cell known as the mitochondria.
Antioxidant
Coenzyme Q10 also works as an antioxidant capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals, damaging compounds in the body that alter cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and can even cause cell death. Free radicals occur naturally in the body, but environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, cigarette smoking, and air pollution) can also increase the number of these damaging particles. Free radicals are believed to contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of health problems including heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants such as CoQ10 can neutralize free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.
Coenzyme Q10 is biosynthesized i
n the membranes of cells in humans and is vital in the production of energy. It is a power plant of the body that is found in most cells, with especially high concentration in the heart, the organ that requires high levels of energy for normal operation. In its pure form, CoQ10 is a yellow-orange, tasteless, crystalline powder. Coenzyme Q10 is also known as 'ubiquinone', a name derived from the words ‘ubiquitous’, meaning ‘everywhere’, and ‘quinone’.
CoQ10 is a cofactor in mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP), generation. ATP serves as the cell's major energy source and drives a number of biological processes including muscle contraction and the production of protein. The mitochondria produce large amounts of ATP which helps cells perform work. Research indicates that CoQ10 may be effective in treating patients with known mitochondrial disorders.
Development
Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 was first isolated from cardiac mitochondriaby Dr. Frederick L. Crane and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin in 1957. The precise structure of Coenzyme Q10 was in 1958 determined by Dr. Karl Folkers et al. at the University of Texas. In 1986 Folkers was awarded the Priestly Medal from the American Chemical Society for his work with CoQ10. In 1978 Dr. Peter Mitchell of Glynn Research laboratories, Bodmin, Cornwall, UK, received a Nobel Prize for his research on important new aspects of CoQ10 in mitochondrial energy transduction and his chemiosmotic hypothesis. In 1978 Kanegafuchi Chemical Industry Company (Kaneka Corporation) began production of yeast-fermented CoQ10. Today, Vitaelin Nutraceuticals distributes one of the most advanced CoQ10 formula's available.
Chemically, Coenzyme Q10 is a two-part compound that is composed of (1) a long, fat-soluble isoprenoid tail that anchors the molecule in the inner membrane of the mitochondria and (2) a quinone that is capable of accepting and transferring electrons through a portion of the respiratory chain. The 'Q' stands for quinone and the '10' stands for the number of isoprenoid units in the tail portion of the molecule.
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A Valuable Substance
Coenzyme Q10 is a valuable biological substance whose homologues are present everywhere in the organic world, among a variety of plant species, animals, and microorganisms. The most remarkable characteristic of Coenzyme Q10 in terms of the human body lies in its indispensability in the production of energy. Coenzyme Q10 exists in components within the cell membrane such as mitochondria and lysosomes. Coenzyme Q10 is also referred to as 'vitamin Q', due to its vitamin-like functions.
Coenzyme Q10 is internally biosynthesized through the mevalonate pathway, the bio synthetic pathway of intrinsic cholesterol and exists in the heart, kidneys, liver, muscles, pancreas, and thyroid in high concentrations.
Coenzyme Q10 is an important factor in the process of electron transfer at the heart of the aerobic energy-supply process and exerts a great influence on the production of ATP. It has been reported that the supply of Coenzyme Q10 activates the production of ATP. This is considered to be due to the activation of the electron transfer process through an increase in the amount of Coenzyme Q10 in the body. It has also been reported that the body does not produce a sufficient amount of Coenzyme Q10 for all necessary electron transfer processes. This supports the theory that Coenzyme Q10 activates ATP production.
Natural VS Synthetic production
There are two methods of producing CoQ10: the yeast fermentation method and the synthetic method. The yeast fermentation method produces CoQ10 that is identical to the human body’s own CoQ10 and is therefore free of the isomer found in synthetically produced CoQ10. Synthetically produced CoQ10 is chemically processed using tobacco. It contains cis isomer, a substance not available naturally. WIN CoQ10 is processed 100% from yeast following the yeast fermentation method.
Benefits
There are many benefits to be gained from taking CoQ10 supplements. WIN CoQ10 contains 50mg of the most advanced, high-absorption form of CoQ10 available, ubiquinol. This formulation is the first supplemental form of bio-identical ubiquinol ever developed and is derived from the world’s purest, most thoroughly researched CoQ10. CoQ10’s benefits within the body reach across a broad expanding spectrum as continued research is giving great insight into new benefits of supplementation. Coenzyme Q10 acts much like a spark plug for each of your body’s cells playing a vital role in energy production. Because CoQ10 is essential for the optimum production of cellular energy, CoQ10 enhances stamina and improves the body’s overall state of health. Additionally, ubiquinol is an active antioxidant protecting the body’s cells from damage caused by oxidative stress and free radicals. Generally, CoQ10 strengthens the immune system and fosters resistance to disease.
Clinical Trials
Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated that CoQ10 was of significant value in alleviating the effects of heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, aging, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and periodontal disease. Therefore, people who wish to boost their levels of energy and their general level of wellness should consider taking daily supplements of CoQ10
International Association
The International Coenzyme Q10 Association was founded in September, 1997 by renowned international scientists, nutritionists and doctors.
Its head office is at the Institute of Biochemistry of the University of Ancona, Italy. The Association is a non-profit association which aims to promote basic and applied research on the biomedical aspects of Coenzyme Q10 in order to disseminate knowledge on basic biochemistry and on the preventive and/or therapeutic effects of Coenzyme Q10. Click here for more information about the International Coenzyme Q10 Association.
WINCoQ10
WIN CoQ10, a nutraceutical supplement distributed by Vitaelin Nutraceuticals, is a 100% natural, high-absorption formula and far superior to most CoQ10 supplements because they primarily consist of ubiquinone which isn’t as easily absorbed by the body. Studies show WIN CoQ10's absorption rate is 8 times higher than supplements with ubiquinone and maintains higher levels of CoQ10 in the blood over time. It took 2400mg of ubiquinone to reach the same level of CoQ10 in the bloodstream with only 300mg of WIN CoQ10 ubiquinol formulation.*
WIN CoQ10 may:
- Support and maintain energy production through ATP synthesis
- Help prevent free radical damage
- Help protect against oxidative stress
- Help maintain healthy, normal blood pressure
- Promote heart health
- Help manage the entire circulatory system
- Promote a healthy immune system
- Maintain healthy neurological function
*Studies show WIN CoQ10’s formula additionally supports periodontal tissue well-being, musculoskeletal health and the body’s natural defense system