CoQ10 - What Is It?

CoQ10 is the shorthand version of CoEnzyme Q10.  The purpose here is to show you some CoQ10 benefits.  But first, we need to explain what it is.

CoQ10 is produced naturally in your body and is essential for the functioning of cells.  Specifically, as an antioxidant, boosting the immune system, and increasing energy.  In fact, if you think of your heart as a furnace, CoQ10 is the coal that keeps the furnace going.  As such, the majority of studies done on CoQ10 have focused on it's benefits with relation to heart disease.  And these studies have all confirmed it's effectiveness.

Studies also show CoQ10 benefits when it comes to hypertension and high blood pressure.  In a study "...of 109 patients with essential hypertension, 51% were able to stop between one and three antihypertensive drugs at an average of 4.4 months after starting CoQ10 treatment..."

Another study showed individuals who started taking CoQ10 supplements within 3 days of suffering a heart attack were "significantly less likely to experience subsequent heart attacks and chest pain.".

CoQ10 even has an effect on cholesterol, as show by the University of Maryland, "Levels of CoQ10 tend to be lower in people with high cholesterol compared to healthy individuals of the same age. In addition, certain cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins (such as atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin) appear to deplete natural levels of CoQ10 in the body. Taking CoQ10 supplements can correct the deficiency caused by statin medications without affecting the medication's positive effects on cholesterol levels. Plus, studies show that CoQ10 supplementation may decrease the muscle pain associated with statin treatment."

To Your Health