Of all the vitamins and supplements being aggressively marketed, one of the most thoroughly researched is Coenzyme Q10. If you are not taking it daily, then you really need to seriously examine its many benefits that have been repeatedly proven in countless clinical studies. Many physicians urge their patients to take it, especially those taking prescription statin drugs, because they deplete CoQ10 levels in the body. The paradox, therefore, is that the drug used to promote healthy hearts and arteries creates the need to take a supplement that definitely promotes a healthy cardiovascular system.
Interestingly, in Japan, CoQ10 is commonly prescribed to patients with serious heart disease and has been approved as heart disease treatment since 1974.
Hear are some of the heart-related benefits: lowers blood pressure, reduces oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol, increases cardiac function, promotes peak cardiac energy, reduces the risk of blood clot formation, and increases heart output. It has also been found to help those preparing for and recovering from heart surgery. In one major study researchers found that this supplement accelerated recovery after surgery to three to five days, compared to 15 to 30 days in a control group.
Besides all this, CoQ10 has also been found to be an immune booster, supportive of healthy aging, and a promoter of cognitive function and nervous system health
Levels of this fat-soluble antioxidant have been found to be suppressed in people with cardiovascular, neurological, liver-related and diabetes-related conditions. And it tends to be lowered with increased age, especially after age 40. All this defines a large fraction of the population that should be taking CoQ10. One 2004 study even concluded that it may extend lifespan when associated with a healthy diet.
Note that this material is most concentrated in the heart and other organs that use the most energy: liver, kidneys, pancreas, brain and immune system.
Popular daily doses are from 50 to 200 mg. Note that the body must convert CoQ10 to Ubiquinol for maximum biological activity and that the latter is also commercially available.
Consider the results of two important studies of heart failure patients. In one, 1,100 patients were given 50 to 150 mg of CoQ10 daily for three months, with 80 percent of them receiving positive benefits, as reported by cardiologists. In the other, 1,715 patients received 50 mg daily for four weeks, with 76 percent obtaining excellent to good results, as reported by physicians.
Enough said.
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