
In April 2020, I published an article in Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal about the cardiovascular benefits of daily Coenzyme Q10Coenzyme Q10 molecules are fat-soluble molecules that are both bsynthesized 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... Read more about this term supplement [1]. As most of you know, Coenzyme Q10 is an important 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,... Read more about this term, and it also plays critical roles in the mitochondrial production of energy in the form 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.... Read more about this term.
Endogenous production of Coenzyme Q10 peaks at about 20 years of age and then gradually declines throughout our adult years. One estimate is that the heart muscle cells of an 80-year-old will produce about half of the Coenzyme Q10 that the heart muscle cells of a 20-year-old will [2]. It is not practical to think about making up the difference by eating more or better. Consequently, daily CoQ10 supplementation is important [3].