One of the Most Important Vitamins
CoQ10 is an important substance naturally produced in all the cells of
your body. It plays an essential role in the production of cellular energy.
It is also a powerful antioxidant responsible for keeping free radicals
(the bad guys) from making your cells sick. CoQ10 is especially plentiful
in the cells that require the highest amounts of energy such as the
cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) and immune systems.

In 1957, CoQ10 was first discovered and called "ubiquinone" because it
was found to be present in all human cells. CoQ10 is available as a daily
supplement in natural and synthetic versions. Currently, the natural version
is preferred over the synthetic because of its better absorption and function
in the human body. Important note: multi-vitamins do not usually include
CoQ10 in their formulations. Read your label carefully to find out about yours.

Good For Your Heart
If you are taking statin medications for cholesterol reduction, supplementing
with CoQ10 is especially important. Statin medications deplete CoQ10
levels in all the cells of the body but especially in your heart. Less CoQ10
in the cells leads to improper cellular energy production reducing the cells
ability to function at healthy levels. CoQ10 may also aid other conditions
such as congestive heart failure, angina, arrhythmia, mitral valve prolapse,
and high blood pressure. The newest finding for CoQ10 has to do with its
ability to prevent endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is a
condition when the cells lining the walls of your blood vessels are damaged
eventually leading to atherosclerosis or plaque formation.

What the Research Says
Life Extension Foundation (LEF) reported "researchers from a Germany study
found that when men with impaired endothelial function received
supplemental CoQ10, they demonstrated improved endothelial function of the
brachial artery, which supplies blood to the arms and hands. This important
finding suggests that CoQ10 supplementation may help prevent and treat
endothelial dysfunction, thus protecting the cardiovascular system against
an initiating cause of atherosclerosis."

Another report by LEF of an extensive eight-year clinical trial found that
CoQ10 helped patients with existing cardiovascular disease improve their
condition by decreasing their reliance on heart medications. After 18 months
of CoQ10 supplementation, an impressive 58% improved their American
Heart Association scores by one "class," or health gradient, while 28%
improved by two classes. Most importantly, nearly half of all participants
demonstrated a decreased need for medications.

Good For Your Skin
Italian scientists have determined that CoQ10 plays a significant role in
preventing the growth of skin cancer cells. The Italian researchers saw
low levels of CoQ10 in study participants with malignant melanoma.
In comparison, the cancer free participants had normal CoQ10 levels.
Recent research suggests that CoQ10's applied topically may also help protect
the skin against overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Good For Improving Blood Sugar in Diabetes
CoQ10 helps to both control and maintain normal blood sugar levels. LEF
reports "an Australian study found that patients with type II diabetes who
took 200 mg of CoQ10 a day over 12 weeks showed improved blood sugar
control. Supplementation produced, on average, a threefold increase in
CoQ10 levels in the trial subjects, while decreasing their blood pressure
and hemoglobin A1C, a test that is a long-term indicator of blood sugar
control."