The functioning of the heart is something we're still exploring. On a purely physical level, we understand the mechanism perfectly well. We understand a lot about how lifestyle can impact on the heart. But there is still much we do not understand. It was only in 1978, for instance, that the nutrient and antioxidant Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) took its rightful place in our understanding of heart health when Peter Mitchell, a research scientist, was awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on the body's energy pathways and role of CoQ101.
Coenzymes are nutrients upon which enzymes depend for their function. They are present in certain foods and are sometimes also synthesised in the body. CoQ10, also sometimes referred to as ubiquinone or ubidecarenone, is one of these coenzymes, and is necessary for the work of at least three mitochondrial enzymes which are the source of all the body's energy.
Specifically, CoQ10 is necessary to trigger the conversion of glucose into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), upon which all cellular functions depend2.
1. Energy booster: When energy production lags, and cells stop functioning optimally, energy-hungry organs like the heart also function sub-optimally. That's why CoQ10 is considered to be a prime cardiotonic, and is highly recommended for people who live busy, demanding lives, or who perform regular high-intensity exercise. CoQ10 also supports post-exercise recovery3.
2. Antioxidant: CoQ10 is also a powerful antioxidant,2 protecting cell structures from free radicals, and repairing free radical damage. This is a particular benefit to strenuous exercisers, as free radical activity is sometimes generated by aerobic exercise. It regenerates vitamins C and E when they become inactive due to free radical damage.4
3. Cholesterol-fighter: CoQ10 inhibits the oxidation of bad cholesterol - LDL - which is what builds up in artery walls, and creates the problems; and it helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels in people who're not yet experiencing cholesterol imbalances5. It is particularly helpful to people on the statin class of anti-cholesterol medications as these block the key enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase which is required for making CoQ10 in your body6.
Beyond this, CoQ10 is also helpful as it relieves the muscle pain sometimes caused by statins7.
CoQ10 expert Dr Peter Langsjoen points out that along with the heart; skeletal muscle, the brain, liver and gum tissue are also big energy consumers which "require optimal amounts of CoQ10 for optimal energy production for optimal health."8 If CoQ10 body levels begin to drop, therefore, so does our general health.
Finally, there is also an apparent connection between CoQ10 and migraine: in some people, it seems to reduce the frequency and duration of migraines.9
As we get older, bioproduction of CoQ10 slows, so people who are middle-aged or older should look to supplementation.10
Also:
- if your diet is lacking in protein, B- or C-vitamins and magnesium, since these vitamins are necessary for bioproduction of CoQ10;
- if you are on a low-fat diet, since fats need to be present in the digestive tract in order to absorb CoQ10 from foods;
- if you have an increased risk for heart disease or already have cardiovascular disease; or
- if you have a chronic illness, as poor energy production in the cells can be an underlying factor of chronic illness.
Dietary sources include oily fish, organ meats such as liver, whole grains and some seeds and nuts.11 Supplements should be taken with a meal, preferably accompanying food containing essential fatty acids, such as fish, or along with an omega-3 supplement to enhance absorption.7
High blood cholesterol levels are a big problem for South Africans. Statistics from the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA suggest that 4% of men and 5% of women, aged 30 years and older die because of the impact of high blood cholesterol; and that premature deaths caused by heart and blood vessel diseases (CVD) in people of working age (35-64 years) will increase by 41% between 2000 and 2030.12
For some people, unhealthy cholesterol can be resolved through lifestyle adjustments. Others will have to rely on cholesterol drugs, such as the statins, which are highly effective. Yet up to 50% of statin-dependent patients discontinue cholesterol-lowering medication within the first year of their first script.13
Statins are known to deplete the body of CoQ10, which is what leads to statin-induced myopathy, a condition in which a person experiences muscle pain.14 Cardiologist Dr Peter Langsjoen describes how statins block cells' ability to make the molecule mevalonate which is the essential precursor to both cholesterol and CoQ10 production.15
Supplementing with CoQ10 is therefore highly recommended for people on statins, partly to boost the body's resources of the nutrient, and partly to decrease muscle pain associated with statin treatment Studies have in fact shown reversal of skeletal muscle pain and weakness by adding supplemental CoQ10 to statin drug therapy.15
Sources
1: www.coq10facts.com.au - slide 2
2: Langsjoen, P.H. "Introduction to Coenzyme Q10" - accessed online June 1, 2011 (http://faculty.washington.edu/ely/coenzq10.html
3: www.coq10facts.com.au - slide 4
4: www.coq10facts.com.au - slide 3
5: www.coq10facts.com.au - slide 7
6: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coenzyme_Q10 - accessed online June 1, 2011
7: "Sports medicine", by Suite 101 - accessed May 30, 2011 - http://www.suite101.com/content/coenzyme-q10-a56249
8: Langsjoen, P.H. "Alleviating Congestive Heart Failure with Coenzyme C10", quoted in Gruss, T.L. "Coenzyme Q10 is a Vital Energy Nutrient" - accessed online 1 June, 2011 - (www.naturalnews.com/022706_CoQ10_health_life_extension.html)
9: HeartChoice Energiser Package Insert
10: www.coq10facts.com.au - slide 11
11: www.coq10facts.com.au - slide 13
12: The Heart and Stroke Foundation - (www.heartfoundation.co.za/docs/Heartmonth/HeartDiseaseinSA.pdf)
13: McGinnis, B., Olson, K.L., Magid, D. et al "Factors related to adherence to statin therapy", 2007, accessed online 1 June 2011 (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/565773)
14: Gaso, G., Kelly, P. McNurlan, M.A., and Lawson, W.E. (2007) "Effects of coenzyme Q10 on myopathic symptoms patients treated with statins", American Journal of Cardiology (99) pp1409-1412
15: www.healthspan.co.uk/articles/a3861734.aspx
