CoQ10 definitive guide to the energy co-enzyme

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CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10) essential for energy

CoQ10 definitive guide to the energy co-enzyme NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals

Peanuts contain 2.67mg of CoQ10 per 100g

CoQ10 definitive guide to the energy co-enzyme NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals

Chicken liver contains 11.6mg of CoQ10 per 100g

DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO COQ10 AT A GLANCE

♦ CO-ENZYME Q10 can reduce high blood pressure
♦ COQ10 can improve survival after heart failure
♦ COENZYME Q10 can counteract free radical damage along with other anti-oxidants
♦ CO-Q10 supplementation can make up for declining amounts made in the body linked to ageing, thus improving mitochondrial efficiency and energy levels

CoEnzyme Q10 – also known as CoQ10 – is an essential nutrient and a key element in the metabolic reactions that produce energy.

Known as ubiquinone or ubiquinol in its active form, CoQ10 is synthesised within the body naturally and found in every one of its trillions of cells. It is especially needed in those organs with a higher energy requirement – like the liver, pancreas, kidneys and especially the heart. It’s not designated a vitamin, as all animals and humans can make small amounts of CoQ10 on their own without food.

The mitochondria – the tiny ‘energy factories’ inside almost every body cell – need CoQ10, along with B vitamins, to turn other nutrients from food into useable energy.

CoQ10 for heart health as anti-oxidant

Coenzyme Q10 is important as a heart health nutrient. It is an anti-oxidant that helps circulatory health and reduce the potentially damaging oxidation (free radical damage) of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Supplements of Q10 have been shown to reduce blood pressure significantly and help ensure that heart muscles stay strong.

In patients with actual heart failure, a 2015 study in the Journal of American Cardiology found that – in addition to conventional therapy –

“Q10 supplementation improves symptoms; improves survival; and reduces hospitalization rate”.

The average Western diet delivers about 10-15mg of CoEnzyme Q10 a day, but the indications are that you need at least 30mg a day for optimal heart health.

You may need more if you are taking statins, which deplete the body of CoQ10 by blocking the body’s ability to synthesise it.

The body’s ability to make its own CoQ10 does decline with age – unfortunately just at the time that the need for both anti-oxidants and energy increases.

CoQ10 deficiency as a result of statin therapy can show up in symptoms that include fatigue and aching joints.

Deficiency is also associated with cardiovascular problems, which can include angina, arrhythmia and high blood pressure.

There is some evidence that it may make the anti-coagulant warfarin less effective.

CoQ10 for the brain and as anti-inflammatory

There is also some indication that Q10 deficiency is linked to declining cognitive powers – as the brain is also energy hungry. Diabetic patients may also become deficient in CoQ10.

Co-Enzyme Q10 works with other nutrients – it helps recycle vitamin C and E, which increases the anti-oxidant impact of all three.

Recent research also indicates that CoQ10 triggers the expression of genes that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Co-Q10 food sources

As mentioned, the body can make CoQ10, but needs it from the diet too, particularly in older age.

By far the richest food sources per gram are the internal organs of fish and animals. Nuts and soy are on a par with more regularly consumed meats such as chicken breasts.

  • Fish (herring, mackerel, sardines, tuna), particularly their hearts. Typically tuna, herring 1.5mg/100g for flesh; 12mg/100g for heart.
  • Meat (especially grass-fed beef and free-range chicken), particularly liver and heart. Chicken liver 11.6mg/100g, chicken breast 2mg/100g.
  • Nuts and seeds – peanuts, pistachios, walnuts and sesame seeds. Peanuts 2.67mg/100g, rest 2mg to 1.5mg/100g.
  • Fruits and vegetables – soybeans and soy products, avocado, broccoli. Soybeans 1.9mg/100g, avocado 1mg, broccoli 0.6mg.
  • Grains – corn germ, rice bran, wheat germ. 0.7mg to 0.4mg/100g.
  • Food supplements eg. NutriShield Premium 30mg per daypack.

Main benefits of C0-Enzyme Q10

CoQ10 reduces blood pressure

A meta-analysis (a summary of many of clinical trials) published in the Journal of Human Hypertension found that CoQ10 supplements were able to significantly lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure – by over 17 and 10 points respectively.

CoQ10 sustains energy

CoQ10 is a vital part of the process that creates energy (the molecule ATP) within mitochondria. So optimum levels help increase energy and preserve muscle mass.

CoQ10 is an anti-oxidant that reduces free radical damage

Oxidative damage – free radical damage – is deeply implicated in both the ageing process itself and certain illnesses that are linked to getting older, like cognitive decline, heart disease and DNA damage that can lead to cancer.

As an anti-oxidant, CoQ10 will work with other anti-oxidants like Omega 3, vitamins C and E, carotenoids, curcumin, zinc, selenium and manganese to help counter oxidation.

The anti-oxidant role of CoQ10 means that it can help sustain heart health. But no nutrient on its own will make a huge difference.

We also know that betaine is an important heart health nutrient because with B vitamins like folic acid, betaine can lower the levels of an amino-acid called homocysteine in the blood – and high levels of homocysteine can be a warning sign of a potential heart attack.

CoQ10 could help slow ageing

We do know that CoQ10 levels are generally lower the older you get, and lower in people with reduced cognitive function.

So some researchers believe that adding CoQ10 back can help boost mitochondrial function, maintaining muscle and thus slowing ageing in the body and brain.

CoQ10 supplements

As outlined above, it is relatively difficult to get a lot of CoQ10 from foods, as most people these days eat animal organs infrequently.  One of the few comprehensive supplements to include CoQ10 is NutriShield Premium, a daily comprehensive supplement containing 43 nutrients, designed by Dr Paul Clayton, former Chair of the Forum on Food and Health at the Royal Society of Medicine.

 

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CoQ10 definitive guide to the energy co-enzyme NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals And register now for a free regular e-newsletter on the latest in nutrition and health research.

Dr Paul Clayton designed NutriShield as a comprehensive healthCoQ10 definitive guide to the energy co-enzyme NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals supplement with OPTIMUM levels of 43 essential nutrients including CoQ10, polyphenols and flavonoids from fruits, vegetables and other plants, Omega 3, betaine and soy isoflavones. See more detail elsewhere on this site or click on the button.

CoQ10 definitive guide to the energy co-enzyme NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsDr Paul Clayton’s best-selling book Health Defence is available from bookstores or from Uni-Vite Healthcare here.

A free summary report and the opportunity to read the book online is available here.

See online here for delicious recipes from the Health Defence Cookbook  incorporating healthy foods featuring in a Mediterranean Diet. CoQ10 definitive guide to the energy co-enzyme NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals

REFERENCES

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/coenzyme-Q10

Functions of coenzyme Q10 in inflammation and gene expression; Constance Schmelzer et al. Biofactors 07 April 2009 https://doi.org/10.1002/biof.5520320121

Coenzyme Q10 in the treatment of hypertension: a meta-analysis of the clinical trials;F L Rosenfeldt et al: Journal of Human Hypertension Volume 21, pp.297–306 (2007)

Time to energize coenzyme Q10 for patients with heart failure? Ezekowitz J.A. J Am Coll Cardiol 2014 HF 2:650–652

7 health positives for curcumin

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Curcumin is one of the safest and most powerful bioactive plant compounds

7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals

 

DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO CURCUMIN AT A GLANCE

Curcumin is a remarkable nutrient. Clinical evidence shows that:

♦ CURCUMIN is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant
♦ CURCUMIN can be as effective as Prozac in lifting depression
♦ CURCUMIN contributes to heart health by supporting free flowing arteries. It may be as effective as statins for dealing with atheroma.
♦ CURCUMIN appears to have several roles in an anti-cancer regime
♦ CURCUMIN improves mobility and reduces joint pain in arthritis sufferers

It has many proven medical benefits for brain, heart, joint health and even cancer risk reduction.

Curcumin is both anti-inflammatory and a powerful anti-oxidant. Derived from the bright yellow root of turmeric, curcumin has only one disadvantage – it is not well absorbed into the bloodstream by itself.

But its bioavailability is enhanced by an astonishing 2,000% when it is ingested along with piperine which is, itself, derived from black pepper. And yet further enhanced in the presence of an oil because it is fat soluble – which is why the combination with Omega 3 in NutriShield is ideal.

Look for curcumin in supplements that is ‘standardised’ as an extract at a level of 95%, as this obviously means it has very high levels of the bioactive compound.

7 Positives for Health

1. Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory

7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsCurcumin has been found to block the action of a strongly pro-inflammatory molecule called NF–kB. This switches on genes that lead to inflammation. It has also been shown to lower levels of a key marker of inflammation called CRP – C-Reactive Protein.

2. Curcumin is a powerful anti-oxidant

7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsCurcumin’s anti-oxidant action can slow or stop the chain reactions involved in free radical damage.

 

3. Curcumin protects the brain

7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsOver and above its anti-oxidant effect as a brain neuron protector, curcumin may have another brain health role.

Studies show that curcumin can increase levels of BNDF, a hormone that is responsible for youthful brain function, and this may delay age-related brain deterioration.

4. Curcumin improves heart health by reversing the hardening and narrowing of arteries

7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsThe endothelium is the normally smooth lining of your blood vessels including your arteries. It helps regulate blood pressure and blood clotting and is involved in the inflammatory response. “Endothelial dysfunction” is a cause of atheroma – the dangerous narrowing and eventual hardening of the arteries.

But atheroma and endothelial dysfunction are reversible – and an 8 week study showed that curcumin was as effective as the commonly prescribed statin, atorvastatin.

5. Curcumin can ease pain and increase mobility in arthritis

7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsStudies show that it inhibits a pain enzyme called Cox-2 – a mode of action rather like NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs).

But the advantage of curcumin is that it is natural with no side effects.  Over 20 studies confirm that it supports joint mobility and pain relief.

6. Curcumin has multiple roles in combating cancer

7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsA significant number of studies show that curcumin exerts what one researcher calls “multiple different suppressive effects on human cancers including breast cancer.”

The effects include inhibiting blood supplies to tumours, slowing their spread and even initiating the death of cancer cells.

7. Curcumin can slow ageing by preventing the shortening of telomeres

7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsTelomeres are the protective little caps at the end of double-stranded molecules of DNA. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres get shorter. Once they get too short, the cell can no longer divide, and it becomes inactive and dies. The shortening of telomeres is a known marker of ageing.

Curcumin has been shown in several studies to prevent the shortening of telomeres.

Supplement with curcumin

Read more detail about the health benefits of curcumin below. There’s no question you’ll want to include it in your daily supplement regime.

There are 250mg of 95% Curcuminoid extract in every daypack of NutriShield Essentials and NutriShield Premium, supplements designed by Dr Paul Clayton, former Chair of the Forum on Food and Health at the Royal Society of Medicine.

More on all these health benefits of curcumin

7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals

Anti-inflammatory

The latest medical evidence is clear – chronic (ie. continuous) inflammation within tissues and cells is a key driver of almost every degenerative disease.

Inflammation is certainly a factor in heart disease, in metabolic syndrome, in Alzheimer’s, in obesity and diabetes, in arthritis and in certain cancers which start from sites of inflammation and makes the spread of cancer more likely.

So anti-inflammatory foods and nutrients should be in the front-line of your preventative health strategy.

Curcumin has been found to block the action of a strongly pro-inflammatory molecule called NF–kB. This switches on genes that lead to inflammation. It has also been shown to lower levels of a key marker of inflammation called CRP or C-Reactive Protein.

Anti-oxidant

Oxidative damage occurs when our bodies metabolise oxygen and create energy. So some oxidation is inevitable. But the process also creates free radicals which react with and damage cells, DNA, mitochondria and fatty acids in the body.

If the body has excess free radicals and insufficient anti-oxidants to neutralise those free radicals, then oxidative damage occurs.

In everyday life, oxidative or free radical damage is the process by which fat goes rancid and apples turn brown.

In the body, oxidative damage manifests itself eventually as:

  • Fatigue and premature ageing (via damage to mitochondria – the cell “energy factories”)
  • Wrinkled skin
  • A trigger for cancer (via damage to DNA)
  • Brain ageing and neurogenerative disease such as senile dementia (via damage to neurons)
  • Atherosclerosis (narrowing and hardening of arteries)
  • Degenerative eye disease – since the eye is an organ with intense oxidative activity and needs high levels of anti-oxidants to protect its unsaturated fatty acids.

An anti-oxidant can slow or stop the chain reactions involved in free radical damage.

As a powerful anti-oxidant, curcumin should definitely be in your supplement, along with at least 500mg of vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, beta-carotene and CoQ10. All these, too, are anti-oxidants.

One well referenced study on free radicals and disease summarised the role of anti-oxidants.

‘The human species is not genetically adapted to survive past middle age, and it appears that anti-oxidant supplementation of our diet is needed to ensure a more healthy elderly population’.

Improves brain function

Over and above its role as an anti-oxidant and brain neuron protector, curcumin may have another brain health role.

A hormone called Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) is responsible for youthful brain function. Unfortunately this normally declines with age and appears to be a factor in depression and reduced cognitive function.  But studies show that curcumin can increase levels of BNDF and thereby may be effective in delaying age-related brain deterioration.

In addition, curcumin (so far only in laboratory tests) has been shown to be able to pass into the brain and help increase the clearance of the beta amyloid plaque cells that characterise Alzheimer’s patients’ brains.

One of the symptoms of inflammation in the brain is what is commonly called ‘brain fog’ – poorer concentration, mood malaise and memory impairment.

The Journal of Psychopharmacology, reporting on a curcumin study on healthy older adults, stated that:

‘One hour after administration, curcumin significantly improved performance on sustained attention and working memory tasks, compared with placebo. Working memory and mood (general fatigue and change in state calmness, contentedness and fatigue induced by psychological stress) were significantly better.’

In another 6-week study, published in the US National Library of Medicine, curcumin at 1,000 mg a day was found to be as effective as the anti-depressant Prozac in reducing symptoms of depression, but better tolerated.

Improves heart health

The endothelium is the normally smooth lining of your blood vessels including your arteries. It helps regulate your blood pressure, and blood clotting and is involved in the inflammatory response. What’s called endothelial dysfunction is a cause of atheroma – the dangerous narrowing and eventual hardening of the arteries.

But atheroma and endothelial dysfunction are reversible – and an 8 week study showed that curcumin was as effective as the commonly prescribed statin, atorvastatin.

This specific function of curcumin amplifies the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of curcumin on heart health.

A presenter at the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Annual Conference, in announcing his study results, was reported to say that:

“… curcumin supports clean, free-flowing arteries. Patients taking this pill saw 26% of gunk unclogged from their arteries.”

Although the words are hardly couched in the normal dry scientific language, it does capture the huge interest that health researchers now have in curcumin. In fact, one article claims that curcumin may have over 500 health benefits. That seems exaggerated, but the benefits on this page are well documented.

Alleviates the symptoms of arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease – as are all diseases ending in ‘-itis’.

So you would expect that curcumin could have a role in any natural arthritis treatment – and it does. Studies show that it inhibits a pain enzyme called Cox-2 – a mode of action rather like NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). But the advantage of curcumin is that it is natural with no side effects.  Over 20 studies confirm that it supports joint mobility and pain relief.

One summary study in the Journal of Alternative Medicine Review reported:

‘People taking curcumin saw pain scores drop by 60% … and stiffness scores drop by 73%.’

But if you were taking curcumin as a supplement in a case of arthritis, you would ideally add Glucosamine, and co-factor vitamins D and K – as in JointShield.

Curcumin/turmeric can also be used topically to treat strains and muscle aches. Mix to a paste with a little olive oil and apply like an ointment.

Multiple roles in cancer risk reduction

For cancer to grow and form a tumour, it must develop a supply of blood vessels – a process called angiogenesis. That in turn supports metastasis or the spread on cancer cells.

A significant number of peer reviewed studies show that curcumin exerts what one researcher calls “multiple different suppressive effects on human cancers including breast cancer.”

The effects include inhibiting blood supplies to tumours, the slowing of spread and even the initiation of the death of cancer cells.

To date most of these studies have been animal studies or done on human cells in the laboratory. But a study in the Journal of Cell Biochemistry was able to state:

‘We conclude that telomerase inhibitory effects of curcumin underscore its use in adjuvant cancer therapy.’

We do know that many health researchers are using curcumin themselves.

Curcumin could be part of an anti-ageing programme

The anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin make it a candidate for a scientifically based approach to slowing ageing, because both inflammation and oxidative damage are deeply involved in ageing.

There is another effect noted in the study quoted above. Curcumin can prevent the shortening of telomeres.

Telomeres are the protective little caps at the end of double-stranded molecules of DNA called chromosomes. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres get shorter. Once they get too short, the cell can no longer divide, and it becomes inactive and dies. The shortening of telomeres is a known marker of ageing.

So it’s hypothesised that slowing or preventing the shortening of telomeres can slow biological ageing. Omega 3 and vitamin D are other natural nutrients that have been shown to help slow telomere shortening, as have weight loss and regular exercise.

Summary

If you are a nutritional supplement user, then curcumin should be in your supplement.

But so should plant derived micro-nutrients like green tea and grapeseed extract and Omega 3. And if you are over 50 when the body needs more nutrients but absorbs less, then add at least carotenoids like lutein, lycopene and beta carotene and CoQ10.

They all have solid scientific backing as helping to prevent long-term health problems whilst  contributing to noticeably improved short term energy and ‘feel-good’ status.

They are all included in NutriShield, a supplement designed by Dr Paul Clayton former Chair of the Forum on Food and Health at the Royal Society of Medicine.

 

If you enjoyed this article, please share it with family and friends. You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter for daily headline health tweets.

7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals And register now for a free regular e-newsletter on the latest in nutrition and health research.

Dr Paul Clayton designed NutriShield as a comprehensive health7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals supplement with OPTIMUM levels of essential nutrients including polyphenols and flavonoids from fruits, vegetables and other plants like turmeric. See more detail elsewhere on this site or click on the button.

7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and MineralsDr Paul Clayton’s best-selling book Health Defence is available from bookstores or from Uni-Vite Healthcare here.

A free summary report and the opportunity to read the book online is available here.

See online here for delicious recipes from the Health Defence Cookbook  incorporating healthy foods featuring in a Mediterranean Diet. 7 health positives for curcumin NutriShield Multi Vitamins and Minerals

REFERENCES

Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin, the anti-inflammatory agent, against neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases:Bharat B.Aggarwal, Kuzhuvelil B.Harikumar; The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology Volume 41, Issue 1, January 2009, Pages 40-59

Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Shoba G1, Joy D, Joseph T, Majeed M, Rajendran R, Srinivas PS. Planta Med. 1998 May;64(4):353-6.

Inflammation in atherosclerosis. Libby P. Nature. 2002 Dec 19-26;420(6917):868-74.

Inflammation and cancer. Coussens LM, Werb Z. Nature. 2002 Dec 19-26;420(6917):860-7.

The Nuclear Factor NF-κB Pathway in Inflammation; Toby Lawrence; Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2009 Dec; 1(6): a001651.

Safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin: a component of tumeric (Curcuma longa). Chainani-Wu N.  J Altern Complement Med. 2003 Feb;9(1):161-8.

The role of free radicals in disease. Florence TM. Aust N Z J Ophthalmol. 1995 Feb;23(1):3-7.

The role of mitochondrial DNA mutations and free radicals in disease and ageing. Lagouge M, Larsson NG. J Intern Med. 2013 Jun;273(6):529-43. doi: 10.1111/joim.12055. Epub 2013 Mar 7.

Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor. Devin K Binder and Helen E Scharfman; Growth Factors. 2004 Sep; 22(3): 123–131.

Curcumin reverses the effects of chronic stress on behavior, the HPA axis, BDNF expression and phosphorylation of CREB; Behavioural Brain Research Volume 239, 15 February 2013, Pages 27-30

Curcuminoids enhance amyloid-beta uptake by macrophages of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Zhang L, Fiala M, Cashman J, Sayre J, Espinosa A, Mahanian M, Zaghi J, Badmaev V, Graves MC, Bernard G, Rosenthal M. J Alzheimers Dis. 2006 Sep;10(1):1-7.

Investigation of the effects of solid lipid curcumin on cognition and mood in a healthy older population; Katherine HM Cox et al, Journal of Phschpharmacology

Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Sanmukhani J, et al: Phytother Res. 2014 Apr;28(4):579-85. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5025. Epub 2013 Jul 6.

Effect of NCB-02, atorvastatin and placebo on endothelial function, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, 8-week study. Usharani P, Mateen AA, Naidu MU, Raju YS, Chandra N. Drugs R D. 2008;9(4):243-50.

Curcumin and Cancer Cells: How Many Ways Can Curry Kill Tumor Cells Selectively? Jayaraj Ravindran, Sahdeo Prasad, and Bharat B. Aggarwal AAPS J. 2009 Sep; 11(3): 495–510.

Curcumin inhibits proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis of different cancers through interaction with multiple cell signalling proteins. Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara, Preetha Anand, Bharat B. Aggarwal. Cancer Letters October 8, 2008. Volume 269, Issue 2, Pages 199–225

Curcumin exerts multiple suppressive effects on human breast carcinoma cells; Zhi‐Ming Shao et al; International Journal of Cancer Volume 98, Issue 2

Curcumin inhibits telomerase and induces telomere shortening and apoptosis in brain tumour cells. Khaw AK, Hande MP, Kalthur G, Hande MP.; J Cell Biochem. 2013 Jun;114(6):1257-70. doi: 10.1002/jcb.24466.