Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More has important functions in the body: energy synthesis, antioxidantAntioxidants are substances that protect the cells and lipoproteins against the harmful effects of free radicals. They are substances that prevent the oxidation of other molecules and compounds. There are two broad categories of antioxidants: enzymatic and non-enzymatic. Non-enzymatic antioxidants are substances like Coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, and various carotenoids. Prominent enzymatic antioxidants include catalase, glutathione peroxidase,... More activity, and stabilization of cell membranesThe cell membranes, sometimes called plasma membranes, are the physical barrier that protects the contents of the cells from everything that is outside the cells. The cell membranes also regulate what can move in and out of the cells. Coenzyme Q10 is present in all cell membranes in the body except in the red blood cells. It helps to prevent... More. Energy synthesis takes place in the mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More of the cells. This is important to know. Energy synthesis takes place in the mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More of the cells. Every cell contains some very small oblong bean-shaped organelles called mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More. The mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More have both an inner and an outer membrane.
The mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More in the cells and Q10
These mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More vary considerably in their size and in their numbers in the individual cells. Typically, mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More are 60 – 75 angstroms thick. That is, they are 60 – 75 ten-billionths of a meter thick. The length of the mitochondrion is approximately 1 to 10 micrometers, much too small to see. By comparison, an average strand of human hair is 60 – 80 micrometers in diameter (= 600,000 – 800,000 angstroms).
The range of the number of mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More in the individual cells extends from only a few mitochondrion in a cell to perhaps as many as 2000 mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More in a cell. Dr. William Judy of the SIBR Research Institute estimates that 5 percent of the body’s energy is produced in the outer membrane of the mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More in the process of converting food substances to NADH. (NADH is the reduced form of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD), a coenzyme that is found in all living cells.)
The process of energy synthesis and Q10
Then, Dr. Judy says, the remaining 95 per cent of the energy synthesis in the cells occurs in the inner membrane of the mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More when the NADH from the outer membrane is converted to units of ATPATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules are the high-energy molecules with easily broken phosphate bonds that release energy to the energy-requiring processes in the cells. Coenzyme Q10 is essential to the process of ATP production. More in the electron transfer process. The fat-soluble Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More and the water-soluble protein Cytochrome C are the facilitators of the electron transfer process.
Of the components that are necessary for energy synthesis – NADH, Cytochrome C, and Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More – frequently, according to Dr. Judy, it is the Coenzyme Q10 that is not available in sufficient quantities.
The number and distribution of mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More
DNA, the carrier of genetic information, is present in all mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More. DNA is the code that directs the production of the proteins that carry out the reproduction of the mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More. We know that physically active and trained people have greater numbers of mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More in cardiac muscle and in skeletal muscle than out-of-shape and sedentary people do. In other words, exercise and training help to increase the number and distribution of mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More in the cells, and the mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More, in turn, synthesize energy in the cells.
Inadequate supplies of Q10
In cases in which muscles weaken or atrophy, the mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More can be seen to be abnormal in size and shape and distribution. Many of them cease to be functional. Dr. Judy says that the deterioration of the mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More occurs in adults whenever the Q10 concentrations in the blood fall below the level of 0.55 micrograms per milliliter, and below -0.20 ug/ml in the cardiac cell.
In cases in which individuals have a known Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More deficiency, supplementation with a well-absorbed lipid-based ubiquinone Q10 preparation can increase the energy synthesis process in the mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More and can result in improved health condition and improved quality of life.
Mitochondrial disorders and Q10
In the medical literature, several genetic and non-genetic mitochondrial disorders have been described. In many of these disorders, a low concentration of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More is positively associated with the disorder and with the resultant reduced energy synthesis. In conditions of low Q10 concentrations in blood and tissue, the mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More dry up and change shape and size, and they clump together instead of being distributed evenly throughout the cell.
These are some of the clinical low-energy conditions that are positively associated with low concentrations of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More:
• chronic fatigue syndromeChronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder with an unknown cause. CFS is characterized by persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest and that cannot be explained by any identifiable medical condition. CFS is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID). It is sometimes abbreviated ME/CFS. CFS patients typically have low levels of... More
• chronic heart failureThe Mayo Clinic defines heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure and/or chronic heart failure, as the failure of the heart muscle to pump blood to the body adequately. In other words, heart failure is not a heart attack, and it is not death from heart disease, which its name might seem to imply. Heart failure is a condition... More
• Huntington’s chorea
• muscular dystrophy
• multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• some forms of cancers
Some years ago, Dr. Karl Folkers, Dr. Judy, and Swedish researchers measured plasma Q10 levels in nearly 1400 cancer patients. All of the cancer patients had lower than normal Q10 for their age. The sicker the patient, the lower the plasma Q10.
Low energy conditions and Q10
Low energy conditions can occur from other causes than mitochondrial dysfunctionMitochondrial dysfunction is the loss of efficiency in the process of ATP energy production. As such, mitochondrial dysfunction is a factor in the ageing process and in virtually all chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative diseases. Coenzyme Q10 is an essential component in the mitochondrial production of ATP energy. More, whether genetic or non-genetic. Dr. Judy mentions the following possible causes of the low-energy syndrome:
• digestive disorders
• endocrine disorders
• increasing age
• poor nutrition
• Vitamin B deficiencies
• Drugs the interfere with or reduce CoQ10 absorption
Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More deficiency a factor in low energy
And, of course, Dr. Judy includes Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More deficiency on his list of the possible causes of low energy. Why does a Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More deficiency occur? It could be that a dietary deficiency is at fault, resulting in a lack of some of the necessary substances used in the 17-step process by which the body synthesizes Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More. Or there could be some sort of overall dysfunction in the biochemical mechanisms that are involved in the synthesis of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More. We know, for example, that the body synthesizes less and less Q10 with increasing age after the mid-20s. Most people over the age of 40 – 45 need to consider seriously taking a well-formulated ubiquinone Q10 supplement.
Children and young adults and Q10
Fortunately, it is not common for children and young adults to lack adequate quantities of Q10. Over the years, Dr. Judy has been concerned about the treatment and care of one relatively small group of children who are, seemingly, born with an inability to synthesize or utilize Q10.
Prader-Willi syndrome children and Q10
Dr. Judy’s concern, in addition to his concern for chronic heart failure patients and for patients taking statin medications, is for the Prader-Willi syndrome children. These are children afflicted with a complex genetic condition that results in muscle weakness, stunted growth, and delayed development. Some researchers have had success using human growth hormone to help the Prader-Willi Syndrome children develop physically.
Worldwide, the Prader-Willi Syndrome occurs in anywhere from 1 in 10,000 births to 1 in 30,000 births. In infancy, the children suffer from feeding difficulties. Then in childhood, they develop insatiable appetites, which, combined with an inability to convert carbohydrates to energy, result in overeating and obesity. The Prader-Willi children often have mild to moderate intellectual impairment and learning disabilities. They also have behavioral problems in many cases.
Q10 supplementation
In Dr. Judy’s experience, the Prader-Willi Syndrome children with Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More deficiency but with somewhat normal mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More can be helped significantly, already from infancy, by Q10 supplementation. If, on the other hand, the children’s mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More are undeveloped or are non-functional, then the Q10 supplementation may have limited effect at best.
Combination of exercise and Q10
The best hope for rejuvenating shriveled and misshapen mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More is a combination of exercise and Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More. Admittedly, this combination is a bit of a catch-22. We need functioning mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More and adequate supplies of Q10 to have the energy to exercise, and we need exercise to shape up the mitochondriaThe mitochondria are the bean-shaped organelles in the cells. They are the key organelles with responsibility for the production of ATP energy molecules. More.
Helping Prader-Willi Syndrome children with Q10 treatment
In 1999, Dr. Judy did a one-year 20-patient study of Prader-Willi Syndrome children aged 3 months to 6 years (mean age: 3.2 years). The study involved age- and sex-matched controls.
In the Prader-Willi Syndrome group, the plasma Q10 concentration in the youngest child was 0.24 mcg/ml, and it was 0.67 mcg/ml in the oldest child (mean = 0.38 mcg/ml). In the control group, the youngest child had a 0.48 mcg/ml plasma Q10 level, and the oldest child had a 0.69 mcg/ml (mean =0.68 mcg/ml).
The Prader-Willi Syndrome children responded well to an adjuvant Q10 treatment, and they tolerated the Q10 treatment well. The children on nasogastric feeding tubes (n=3) became able to suckle in as little as 10 days after starting Q10 treatment. That is to say, within 10 days of Q10 treatment, they had the energy to suckle.
The Prader-Willi Syndrome children who were of walking age but could not walk were taking their first steps within two to three weeks after starting the Q10 treatment. Generally, Prader-Willi Syndrome children not on a Q10 treatment do not start to walk until they are over three years of age. With adjuvant Q10 treatment, Dr. Judy and his colleagues were able to shift the development of the Prader-Willi Syndrome children back to almost normal.
In Dr. Judy’s experience, the normal Prader-Willi Syndrome child cannot ride a two-wheeled bicycle. Those Prader-Willi Syndrome children who take Q10 can ride bicycles by the age of 6-7 years.
Providing Q10 to families with Prader-Willi Syndrome children
In the year 2000, Dr. Judy and his colleague Dr. Stogsdill created the company Cyto-Med to provide Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More to families with Prader-Willi Syndrome children. They wanted to alleviate the problems caused by the Prader-Willi Syndrome children’s inadequate synthesis of Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More. Since 2000, Cyto-Med has been shipping Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More to families in 14 countries
Q10 deficiencies and genetic syndromes
In our conversation, Dr. Judy mentioned that, in 2007, the Mitrochondrion Journal published a special supplement (No 7) with 22 papers on children and adults with genetic syndromes and CoQ10 deficiencies. The interesting thing about these publications was that for each of the syndromes the gene involved was different. It appears that there may be different genes responsible for CoQ10 synthesis in different organ systems. This may explain the reason for different CoQ10 concentrations in different tissues and organs.
Rationale for Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both synthesized in the body and ingested in the diet and in supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is synthesized in the body in the same biological pathway as cholesterol. Bio-synthesis of Coenzyme Q10 begins to decline once humans reach their adult years. The reduced production of Coenzyme Q10 cannot be compensated in any practical... More supplementation
Supplementation with a well-documented ubiquinone Q10 supplement can add enough Q10 to the decreasing quantities of Q10 synthesized in the body and ingested at meal time to make a difference in our energy levels as well as improve the health and functioning of our hearts.
Please click here for more information about the benefits of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation.