Demythifying CoQ10
The Martial Art of Wellness
Volume 8 – November 2009
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to this month’s BioNews. We must learn to free ourselves from the control that others exert over us. As we learn we become FREE, we become powerful. This pursuit of self defense in wellness, I call “The Martial Art of Wellness.” And as we practice we become Wellness Ninjas.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Being a skeptical soul, I have always believed that the most reliable way to determine what people really believe is to observe what they do, not what they say. If the greatest threat of rubella is not to children, but to the fetus yet unborn, pregnant women should be protected against rubella by making certain that their obstetricians won’t give them the disease. Yet, in a California survey reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, more than 90 percent of the obstetrician-gynecologists refused to be vaccinated. If doctors themselves are afraid of the vaccine, why on earth should the law require that you and other parents allow them to administer it to your kids?”
– Dr Robert Mendelsohn MD – In 1986, the National Nutritional Foods Association gave Mendelsohn its annual Rachel Carson Memorial Award for his “concerns for the protection of the American consumer and health freedoms.”
HUMOR OF THE MONTH
A bear, a lion and a pig are talking. The bear says “When I growl, all animals in the forest tremble in fear.” The lion says “When I roar, all animals in the jungle run away in terror.” The pig says “Oh that’s nothing, when I cough only once on the farm, all human on the planet want to get vaccinated”
THIS ISSUE’S TESTIMONIALS:
Blood sugar 280+mg/dl to 90mg/dl
“ I just wanted to pass along some of the fabulous results Samantha and I are enjoying with regular use of the F3 product.
I am a Type 2 Diabetic. My normal fasting blood sugar rates, with diet, exercise, and a host of daily vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements was brought down to a fairly stable 150 mg/dl or so. The supplements were costing me over $300 a month. I now take no other supplement than F3 BioSuperfood! After starting with 15 per day for about 6 months, 2 years ago, I now take 6 capsules daily as a maintenance dose. I have dropped over 60 pounds in weight as well.
Now, my fasting blood sugar rate is 90 mg/dl. My doctor tells me that’s almost NORMAL (80 mg/dl being “healthy.”). When I was first diagnosed, my fasting blood sugar level was 280 + mg/dl.
Needless to say, I am very pleased with the real results of this miracle.
THANK YOU!!
Samantha suffers from Herpes, Arthritis in her hands, and certain female hormone imbalances. She used to daily take L-Lysine, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM, and many other supplements. She also used to supplement with a concentrated “green drink” mix. She experimented with several brands.
She now also takes nothing but 6 capsules of F3 BioSuperfood daily. And her health is fantastic! At 52, she no longer suffers from her joint pains, she no longer has the Herpes outbreaks on her skin, and she is as slender and fit as ever.
THANK YOU!!!
I hope this endorsement helps other try this wonderful simple product. Samantha and I have tried many products, both “holistic” and otherwise, and we were both relatively skeptical at first. However, we have never obtained anything like these results, regardless of cost.
Thanks once again for this wonderful science!
All best, ”
– Keith M. and Samantha P., November 2009
REALITY CHECK ( Demythifying Coenzyme Q10 aka CoQ10 )
From the excitement of its discovery and partial understanding of the science behind its biochemical functions, the CoQ10 supplement has shifted from “vitamin du jour” status to its current “standardly prescribed” status. These days there is no more debate, no more questions about CoQ10 as it is routinely prescribed or self prescribed by millions. In this month’s BioNews I am glad to reopen this closed box and shed light on the current “blind acceptance” of CoQ10.
Note: The information that follows was gathered from generally available information and discussions about CoQ10, its debate and science. In writing this article, my goal is to simplify your life, protect your health and save you money. As always I recommend that you conduct your own research when facing a decision to (or not to) supplement, or medicate. When it comes to your health, do not rely on your doctor, or on any ONE expert as they may not have the answers. Instead, YOU become the expert; learn from the many experts from both side of the debate, then YOU will be able to make up your OWN mind.
What is Coenzyme Q10?
Coenzyme Q10 (or CoQ10) is a compound that is produced in most animals including human being. CoQ10 plays an important role in our energy production, such as production of ATP. ATP is used in the energy transfer between mitochondria and cells. Coenzyme Q10 helps mitochondria to metabolize fats and carbohydrates. It also helps maintain cell membrane flexibility.
Coenzyme Q10 is also an antioxidant. Its ability to quench free radicals helps maintain the structural integrity and stability of cell membranes (including intra cellular membranes). It further serves to reduce oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Evidence suggests that the most important antioxidant activity of Coenzyme Q10 involves regeneration of Vitamin E. CoQ10 is also called ubiquinone, a name that signifies its ubiquitous (widespread) distribution in the human body. Highest levels of Coenzyme Q10 are found in the heart, liver, kidney and pancreas.
CoQ10 is synthesized in all cells of the body, especially in liver cells. It is also absorbed from the foods we eat. Major sources of dietary CoQ10 include meats, fish, and many vegetables and oils particularly flax, sesame, and grape seed oils. As aging occurs, the body’s ability to synthesize CoQ10 may diminish significantly. Deficiencies may also result from reduced assimilation from dietary sources.
Current use of CoQ10 supplement
According to the Mayo Clinic “CoQ10 has been used, recommended, or studied for numerous conditions, but remains controversial as a treatment in many areas.” Most research agree that “Further clinical results are needed to determine whether the supplementation with Coenzyme Q10 is beneficial for healthy people.” Yet CoQ10 supplement is widely prescribed or use freely by millions of people. The question is WHY?
The controversy with supplementing CO Enzyme Q10
Actually there seem to be very little controversy regarding the use of CoQ10 as a supplement. I tried unsuccessfully for a half hour on the WWW to find controversy against CoQ10 as a supplement. Somehow over the years CoQ10 has silently gained incredible market shares somewhat like “one aspirin a day” has made it in the fabric of our society. Yet read up on much controversy about the “one aspirin a day“.
CoQ10 supplementation side effects and contraindications
I have collected from several medical or research web sites a list of potential side effects of this supposedly safe supplement. As you read the information, you can relate with the full blown list of side effects alongside television commercial ads for pharmaceutical drugs.
Side effects listed at http://www.medicinenet.com
Nausea, diarrhea or stomach upset may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor promptly. Unlikely but report promptly: loss of appetite, trouble sleeping. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions: If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor before using this product: heart disease, diabetes, any allergies. Liquid preparations of this product may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of this product. Coenzyme Q10 is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this product. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this product is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
However, high doses of CoQ10 may cause various unwanted side effects. In a 6-month open-label study, researchers offered 600-1200 mg coenzyme to 10 patients suffered from Huntington’s disease daily. Through telephone interview, researchers assessed the associated adverse events – side effects. Four (40%) subjects reported mild side effects such as headache, heartburn, fatigue and increased involuntary movements.
More side effects listed at http://heart-disease.emedtv.com
Some people may experience gastrointestinal CoQ10 side effects, such as: Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Heartburn, Upper chest or throat discomfort. And the list goes on with:
Serious side effects listed at http://heart-disease.emedtv.com
Based on reported side effects or theoretical problems that could occur, there are a number of side effects with CoQ10 that you should report to your health care provider. These side effects may indicate that you should stop taking it. These include but are not limited to:
Dizziness or fainting, which could be a sign of low blood pressure (hypotension); High liver enzymes (early studies suggested that CoQ10 could increase liver enzymes, although later studies have not confirmed this); Signs of an allergic reaction, including an unexplained rash, hives, itching, unexplained swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Interactions and contraindications listed at http://heart-disease.emedtv.com
The following section explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when CoQ10 is combined with several drugs.
Blood Pressure Medications : Combining CoQ10 with a high blood pressure medication may lower your blood pressure too much, possibly causing dizziness, lightheadedness, or other problems. If you take blood pressure medicine, check with your healthcare provider before taking CoQ10, as your blood pressure may need to be monitored more closely.
Chemotherapy Medications : There is some thought that CoQ10 may help prevent heart damage caused by certain chemotherapy medications. However, there is also some concern that CoQ10 could make chemotherapy less effective. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before combining CoQ10 with chemotherapy.
Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven): CoQ10 may decrease the effectiveness of warfarin, possibly increasing your risk of blood clots. Check with your healthcare provider before taking warfarin and CoQ10 together. Your healthcare provider may want to monitor you more closely, especially when starting or stopping CoQ10, or changing your CoQ10 dosage.
And there is confusion and questions regarding its effectiveness at http://ndri.com/
I have not seen human studies regarding the long term use of this supplement and its effect on the aging process. We still have a long way to go to determine the proper clinical role and benefit of this nutrient. RAY SAJELIAN, MD at http://www.raysahelian.com/
A small dose of the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 appear to increase blood levels of this naturally occurring compound in patients with Parkinson’s disease, but does not improve Parkinson’s disease symptoms, according to JAMA/Archives journals of Neurology appear in the July 2007.
A study reported by Pamela Larsen, UCLA researcher who has studied Coenzyme Q10 for 10 years shown that adult worms on a diet without Coenzyme Q10 live 60 percent longer than those on a diet rich in the lipid. This research indicates that like cholesterol too much Coenzyme Q10 for adults can be harmful. Our findings suggest the reason for the shorter life span is that Coenzyme Q10 causes more oxidative damage than it prevents.
The ACC/AHA publication “Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Heart Failure in the Adult” reviewed the available data. It concluded that until more data are available, nutritional supplements such as coenzyme Q10 cannot be recommended to treat heart failure and for patients with angina.
In summary, Coenzyme Q10 has been found to be dangerous in some clinical settings, and has not been carefully tested (or proven) to be safe and effective in human.
So why take a CoQ10 supplement at all?
The popular (and marketing) rational for CoQ10 supplementation is that “As we age we become deficient in this critical nutrient.” That may be true, but so it is for dozens of other critical nutrients like vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, etc! By now, I am certain that you have pondered over the question “Since I believe in the theory of CoQ10 as a “wonder supplement”, then it stands that I should be consuming a whole bunch of other supplements that have also earned this “wonder supplement” status; vitamin A, B, C, D and E, one aspirin a day, calcium, B12, B6, Omega 3, digestive enzymes, resveratrol, polysaccharides, and the list goes on?”
If you followed this allopathic model “taking one supplement for each deficiency in your body or diet”, you would soon be taking dozens of supplements, and possibly hundreds as nutritionists continue to identify and elevate separate nutrients to “wonder” status. Based on this model, why not take a supplement for each coenzymes or each enzymes (of which there are thousands) and for that matter why not stop eating and take supplements for each known nutrients? I am certain that the vitamin industry which is already enjoying billions of dollars from this model would be happy to support you.
What are other solutions to CoQ10 supplementation?
Having read the long list of side effects above, why would you even risk taking a non proven CoQ10 supplement? Have you not ever asked yourself “why not rely on my food for obtaining this nutrient, and hundreds of other that are as important and required?”
How about eating better?
The first solution to this CoQ10 deficiency theory (and for most deficiencies) is to start eating fresh whole organic foods. In natural sciences it is well established that there are no better nutrient then those naturally occurring from our whole foods, NONE. What is wrong with that approach? A multitude of foods contain one form or another of Coenzyme from Q-l to Coenzyme Q-10. This compound is so ubiquitous that it was first named ubiquinone (Idebenone as synthetic CoQ10). Our body can even make CoQ10 out of the other coenzymes Q-1 to Q-9, or we can absorb it from our food. And let’s not forget that rather then relying on one synthetic CoQ10, it is nutritionally speaking vastly superior to obtain a variety of coenzymes including CoQ10 from a diversity of fresh whole foods. CoQ10 is present in many foods such as alfalfa, almonds, various vegetables and greens, ocean salmon, sardines, certain meats, several algae, and many more.
How can BAC be part of the solution to CoQ10 deficiency?
Bio-Algae Concentrates is a whole food that contains not only some CoQ10, but it also contains an extraordinary variety of naturally occurring enzymes and coenzymes, more than 4,000 in total. No other food contains as many. BUT more importantly, BAC also contains the full spectrum of essential and non essential amino acids necessary for human active proteins, which supports the body in its innate capacity to synthesize proteins, enzymes and co-enzymes.
Many nutrients are synthesized in our cells
In addition to obtaining enzymes and coenzymes like CoQ10 from our fresh whole foods, it is as important that you know that many nutrients including most of the enzymes and coenzymes that our body may need are continuously composed (or synthesized) by the cells of our body. Bruce Lipton, PhD, explains that “our cells have the power to create from our active amino acids sets as many as 100,000 types of proteins, enzymes and coenzymes as needed by the body at the appropriate time.” That is the genius within! Beside supplying an “extraordinary” array of nutrients, such as enzymes, the value added of consuming BAC, lies in its capacity as an efficient brain food to “awaken this genius within.”
BAC awakens the genius within
It has been established in animal studies, that when BAC is consumed regularly, cells of critical brain organs hypothalamus-pituitary axis will regulate better our energy and endocrine metabolisms that govern nutrients assimilation, all internal glands, organ functions, and ultimately the productivity of each cell of our body; and in turn there is:
- increased assimilation of nutrients from foods including not only CoQ10, but all enzymes and the myriad of nutrients present in foods
- better synthesis at the cellular level of needed biochemicals like CoQ10
- more efficient processing of hormones, peptides, vitamins, etc.
- cellular productivity leading to more cleansing, repair and regeneration
BAC, the culmination in cellular nutrition
There are more than 5,000 nutrients in BAC, including thousands of enzymes, vitamin A, B-complex, B-12, C, D, E and K, all essential and non essential amino acids, hundreds of minerals and trace elements, Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9, GLAs (Gamma-Linolenic Acids), ALAs (Alpha-Linolenic Acids), DGLA (Dihomogamma-Linolenic Acid), DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and other fatty acids, etc. Yet it is its “awakening” effect that is the most important value resulting from consuming BAC. When consuming BAC, because of its extraordinary influence on the brain organs, each cell of the body, all internal glands and organs, including the stomach and the pancreas are awakened. In turn, your digestion will improve and you will assimilate “significantly” more nutrients from your diet. Here are some links for further information about BAC: The ingredients in BAC and Detailed list of nutrients
1 – Dr. Karl Folkers of the University of Texas at Austin – “father” of CoQ in the United States
2 – Biology of Belief, Bruce Lipton, PhD.
