The Health Benefits of Coenzyme Q10
How This Incredible Compound Can Heal the Heart, Boost Energy and Treat Cancer
You may have already heard the name coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 on the news, read about it in a magazine or seen it on your local health food store shelf. This powerful antioxidant is gaining popularity because of its ability to prevent premature aging, boost immunity and treat certain types of cancer. And that’s not all! Read on to discover how CoQ10 can benefit your health and why it should become a part of your disease-prevention arsenal.
What is Coenzyme Q10?
Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinol 10, was discovered in the 1950’s as a naturally-occurring compound produced by the human body that is responsible for basic cell function and disease prevention.
Patients with certain autoimmune diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s, diabetes and HIV/AIDS and those of advanced age are reported to have less natural CoQ10 in their bodies, which may contribute to both chronic disease and age-related illness. Certain prescription drugs are also known to reduce natural levels of CoQ10.
In addition to maintaining basic cell function, CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant, which is responsible for fighting free radicals in the body. Free radicals cause physical disease and premature aging by destroying living cells. Though they have always been produced naturally by the body, outside influences such as environmental pollution, cigarette smoking, prescription and over-the-counter drugs and processed foods have sped up this degenerative process at an alarming rate.
As the body ages, natural CoQ10 levels decrease by as much as seventy two percent. Supplementation of this natural enzyme is recommended for patients with heart-related conditions such as:
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Arrhythmia
• Heart Attack
• Angina
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Atherosclerosis
• Mitral Vale Prolapse
• Coronary Artery Disease
CoQ10 works by increasing the body’s ability to properly use oxygen, naturally lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels and increasing energy by helping the body better convert nutrients into usable fuel.
A study done at the University of Texas at Austin indicated using the supplement benefited seventy five percent of elderly patients with congestive heart failure!
CoQ10 and the Immune System
CoQ10 has been proven to be a powerful cold, flu and virus preventative on account of its ability to clear bacteria from the blood, boost white cell count and prevent against cellular damage. Research has also indicated that those suffering from more serious autoimmune conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and lupus report decreased levels of pain and inflammation and increased levels of energy. It is believed that the ability of CoQ10 to fight free radicals, convert nutrients into energy, promote tissue repair and improve oxygen absorption all work together to help the body heal itself naturally.
CoQ10 and Cancer Treatment
A study done in 1961 found that patients with cancer had decreased levels of CoQ10 in their bodies. Research indicates the use of CoQ10 is an effective secondary therapy in cancer treatment as it has been known to shrink tumors, reduce pain and cause a partial or full remission of cancer.
CoQ10 and Aging
The antioxidant power of CoQ10 also makes it an excellent natural anti-aging solution. Free radicals are destroyed, energy and vitality is increased and cells are brought back to a stable, healthy condition that might have been lost during mid-life. According to a published scientific study CoQ10 prevents skeletal decline by improving communication between genes and cells in the body.
Dietary Sources of CoQ10
The primary dietary sources of CoQ10 are:
• Organ Meats
• Oily Fish
• Trout
• Spinach
• Nuts
• Poultry
It is important to note that most dietary sources of CoQ10 may not provide enough of the enzyme for those suffering with chronic and/or degenerative conditions and higher-dose supplement is recommended.
Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin B6
In order for CoQ10 to synthesize properly in the body, vitamin B6 must be present. Dietary sources include:
• Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)
• Chicken Breast
• Avocado
• Roast Beef
• Fish
• Tomato
• Sunflower Seeds
CoQ10 Dosing and Contraindications
The average daily dosing for adults nineteen or older is between 30mg to 150mg per day. It is important to take with food that has some fat in it, such as peanut or almond butter, for maximum absorption.
Those on blood thinners and prescription heart medications should talk to their healthcare provider before taking CoQ10. Pregnant and nursing women should not take CoQ10 except under the advice of a physician.
As you can see, coenzyme Q10 can be of serious benefit to your health. If you’re suffering with a chronic illness or want to prevent disease in the future, CoQ10 could be just the supplement you’re looking for!
Did you find this post helpful? Get the inside scoop by subscribing to the I Told You I Was Sick RSS Feed!
« previous post
5 Natural Tips for Healthy Gum...
Good Dental Care Begins at Home
We're born with two sets of teeth, but only one set of ...
next post »
Do You Hear, “Mommy, My ....
How to Tell if Your Child’s Tummy Complaints are a Sign of Something More Serious
“...
Leave a Reply
No post with similar tags yet.


According to statistics, Americans spend only 5.5% of their disposable income on food. This figure is in stark contrast to other countries, which spend over double this amount. Despite the fact that American food is the cheapest in the world, we’re certainly not getting a bargain, at least not when it comes to our health.
I...
We live in a society where our healthcare system is about controlling symptoms and ignoring the root cause of disease. What are symptoms? Symptoms are a warning sign that something is going wrong in your body. Once you learn how to read and understand them, your health will improve ten-fold.
What Happens When Your “Check Engine”...
The “change of life”, otherwise known as menopause, is the cessation of the menstrual period. It is a time in a woman’s life where she is no longer able to conceive and bear children. Many women going through the change of life talk with their doctors about estrogen replacement therapy. Unfortunately, these synthetic drugs cause...
For some people, sleep comes easily. They climb into bed, get under the covers and are out like a light within ten or twenty minutes. They sleep soundly, peacefully, and through the night. It’s not fair. You’ve tried the earplugs, the sleep mask, the sleeping pills, and even some breathing techniques but you know, you...
It seems like every week you hear a horrific story about some “maniac” picking up a weapon and murdering a group of unsuspecting people. It’s happening in movie theatres, schools, shopping malls, and everywhere where crowds of people are gathered. What’s going on? Is this just the way things are now? Why are people crazy?...
If you’ve been eating the Standard American Diet of fast food, boxed food, canned food, convenience meals, and instant anything for most of your life, your entire body chemistry has been altered. I’m always telling people to kick the junk food habit but I know it’s much easier said than done. Even though I preach...
Looking for some healthy inspiration? Here are my top 21 healthy quotes.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." - Benjamin Franklin
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” -Hippocrates
“The greatest wealth is health.” - Unknown
“If you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live?” – Unknown
“If...
Are you struggling with chronic disease? For years, I suffered from terrible stomach pain, brain fog, muscle aches, and anxiety my doctor’s couldn’t put their finger on. Eventually, I was told that I needed psychiatric help and that my symptoms were “all in my head”.
I didn’t buy it. I didn’t care how many people told...
The urban dictionary defines a cyberchondriac as “A hypochondriac who imagines that he or she has a particular disease based on medical information gleaned from the Internet.”
The reason I have a problem with this term is it’s condescending and frequently misused. There is a big difference between an anxiety-based disorder and someone who has exhausted...
In 1997, a doctor by the name of Steven Bratman coined the term “Orthorexia Nervosa”. While Orthorexia does not appear in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), this supposed condition is characterized by “an extreme fixation on eating healthy food, which can result in obsessive compulsive behaviors and malnutrition.”
I’m willing to give...



If you have a gluten intolerant friend or family member in your life, the thought of cooking for them can be quite scary. You might not even know ...
Tackling the process of losing weight can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task. Whether it be 20, 40, 60, or 100+ pounds you're itching to get...
Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining a proper health and cholesterol level in the body. Proper level if cholesterol is important to stay heart...
i would like to know if Co enzyme Q10 is gluten free? Please let me know. Thanks
Hi Mary,
Now Foods puts out a lot of gluten free vitamins. This one is gluten free: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/NWF868/ItemDetail?SourceCode=INTL405&CAWELAID=624507389&cagpspn=pla&gclid=COqe76WlwLACFUSK4Aod0Ej6YQ