Coenzyme Q10 and Cardiovascular Health

Maintaining good cardiovascular health is one way to ensure a long life. However, if you have low levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in your body you may find that your heart health is not as good as it should be. Since heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans, you may be able to reduce your chances of developing it by adding a CoQ10 supplement into your diet.

There are many reasons why a person may have heart disease or suffer from poor heart health. These reasons may include genetics, poor lifestyle and diet management, underlying health conditions, environmental issues, stress and more. No matter the cause, research has shown that people who have low levels of coenzyme Q10 in their body have a higher chance of developing poor cardiovascular health, including heart disease, heart failure, and more.

What is Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring enzyme that has been proven to be very beneficial in improving cardiovascular health. Also known as ubiquinone, vitamin Q10, and ubidecarenone, it is present inside of every cell and organ in the human body and in many foods.

CoQ10 Can Improve Heart Health

In a healthy body, CoQ10 helps to facilitate metabolic reactions at the cellular level to create energy. Although it is present in all cells, it is present in much higher concentrations in the organs, especially the heart muscle. The higher the level of CoQ10 in an organ, the more that organ relies on that enzyme to sustain normal and healthy functions. CoQ10 plays a vital role in keeping the heart cells healthy by utilizing oxygen and energy. Here are a few ways coenzyme Q10 affects the heart.

• When taken on a regular basis, it can help to reduce the frequency of hospitalization for patients who suffer from severe forms of heart failure and heart disease.

• Patients are less likely to suffer from cardiac events.

• Patients are less likely to die from heart disease, heart failure, and other heart-related conditions.

Coenzyme Q10 can also help to lessen the adverse effects of some medications on the heart, and other organs.

In order for your heart to work normally, it needs a steady supply of energy to help it pump blood to every organ and cell in your body. The heart normally derives this energy from glucose and fatty acids. When the cells (mitochondria) in the body lack oxygen and energy-producing products, such as CoQ10, the heart is not able to get the energy or fuel it needs to beat continuously and pump blood throughout the body efficiently.

As CoQ10 levels continue to decline in the body, the heart and other tissues start to burn fuel inefficiently. Low stores of CoQ10 result in an increase in oxidation that can cause severe and irreversible cellular damage, which increases the likelihood of the cells losing their ability to function at all. Ultimately, once the heart loses its ability to function from not having an adequate fuel source, heart failure occurs.

Benefits of CoQ10 for Cardiovascular Health

The lower the levels of Coenzyme Q10 in the body, the more severe the case of poor cardiovascular health. Patients who have low levels of this enzyme are twice as likely to experience heart failure. Therefore, it is crucial for patients who suffer from poor cardiovascular health to consider taking a supplement to restore the balance of CoQ10 enzyme levels in their body for improved function and heart health. Here are some ways CoQ10 can help to improve heart health:

• Increases energy management within the cells and organ in the body, especially the heart.

• Optimizes energy production in the mitochondria inside of the heart muscle.

• Supplements can be used to restore proper CoQ10 levels in the body.

• Improves life expectancy and quality of life.

• Regulates other cardiovascular processes and prevents endothelial dysfunction, heart attacks, heart disease, ischemia-reperfusion injuries and hypertension.

• Rejuvenates your biochemistry to restore healthy heart functions.

Taking Coenzyme Q10 for Cardiovascular Health

If you have been diagnosed with poor heart health, chances are your body’s stores of CoQ10 are low to none existent. Therefore, you should consider taking a supplemental form of this heart healthy enzyme to restore them to healthy levels. It is important for you to understand the difference in the two forms of CoQ10 available so you can choose the right supplemental form to improve your cardiovascular health. CoQ10 comes in two forms, ubiquinol and ubiquinone. The ubiquinone form is oxidized or reduced and is more biologically available than ubiquinol. The oxidized version of CoQ10 (ubiquinol) is an active antioxidant that aids in neutralizing harmful metabolic reactions involving oxygen and nitrogen inside of your human body and is the supplemental form you should take.

If you are considering taking CoQ10 supplements and have had a heart attack, stroke or suffer from some other heart or health condition, speak with your doctor before starting any supplements. They can help you to determine the best course of action along with the right CoQ10 dosage amount for your condition.