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What is Coenzyme Q-10 (Coq-10) and why do we need it?
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Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is produced by the human body and is necessary for the basic functioning of cells. Coenzymes are substances that facilitate the activities of enzymes. Evidence shows that Coenzyme Q-10 plays a very important role in the production of energy throughout the body. It also has been found to have powerful antioxidant effects, destroying free radicals in the body.
An Enzyme has 2 parts - a protein and another part that's either a mineral or a vitamin. When this "other part" is a vitamin, it's called a coenzyme. Co Enzyme Q 10 has a similar structure to vitamin K, and it acts as a catalyst in various chemical reactions that leads to the production of energy - namely ATP.
Your body stores enough ATP that will sustain rigorous activity for 5 to 8 minutes, and ATP must be constantly produced. For this to happen, your body needs a good supply of CoQ10.
The heart and the liver contains the highest levels of CoQ10 in the body.
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What are the health benefits of Co-Q 10?
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Supplementing CoQ10 has many health benefits. Co Enzyme Q10 is not only an antioxidant, it can also help with a number of diseases such as diabetes, gingivitis, congestive heart failure, and more. Take a look at some of the CoEnzyme Q10 benefits:
- Co-Q-10 can help weight loss because it helps stimulate the body's metabolism
- CoQ10 is an essential substance in cell respiration, electron transfer, ATP production, and the control of oxidation reactions
- CoEnzyme Q10 plays a key role in treatment of cardiovascular illnesses, including congestive heart failure
- CoQ10 has show promising results in treatment of cancer and parkinson's disease, and Co Q10 has show to slow the effects of parkinson's disease.
Dietary supplementation for adults taking Coenzyme Q-10 should be between 30 and 90 mg per day. The assimilation of Coenzyme Q-10 may be better if taken with a fatty substance such as oil, peanut butter, olive oil, etc.
CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases such as heart conditions, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's disease, cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Some prescription drugs may also lower CoQ10 levels.
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How does Coq-10 help athletes and bodybuilders?
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Improved energy production is of particular importance to athletes and bodybuilders. Coenzyme Q-10 helps the body convert food into energy in the form of ATP. Nearly every cell in the body contains at least some Coenzyme Q-10, with mitochondria, the energy powerhouses of cells, containing the most. The heart and liver, due to their high content of mitochondria, contain the most Coenzyme Q-10 out of any organs in the body.
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