| |
| |
|
Supplements Information by 2lossweight.com |
|
|
|
Treatment of Heart Disease with Coenzyme Q10
Since its discovery in the late 1950â??s Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has received much attention as a necessary compound for proper cellular function. It is the essential coenzyme necessary for the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) upon which all cellular functions depend. Without ATP our bodies cannot function properly. Without CoQ10, ATP cannot function. This connection has made CoQ10 a very important object of study in relation to chronic disease. In many cases the presence of chronic disease is associated with inadequate levels of CoQ10. But no area of study has received more attention than the relation between CoQ10 and heart disease. That is because CoQ10 is believed to be of fundamental importance in cells with high metabolic demands such as cardiac cells. A further reason the connection of heart disease and CoQ10 has gained so much attention is because heart conditions of many kinds are associated with chronically low CoQ10 levels. CoQ10 is highly concentrated in heart muscle cells because of their high energy requirements. Add this to the fact that heart disease is the number one killer in developed and developing countries and one can see why the bulk of scientific research on CoQ10 has been concerned with heart disease. Specifically, studies on congestive heart failure have demonstrated a strong correlation between the severity of heart failure and the degree of CoQ10 deficiency. The lower the levels of CoQ10 in the heart muscles the more severe the heart failure. If indeed CoQ10 deficiency is a primary cause of congestive heart failure then, in such cases, the remedy is simple and cost effective; CoQ10 supplementation. Congestive heart failure is a condition where the heart does not pump effectively resulting in an accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing when lying flat and leg or ankle swelling. Causes include chronic hypertension, cardiomyopathy (primary heart disease) and myocardial infarction (irreversible injury to heart muscles). Heart muscle strength is measure by the ejection fraction which is a measure of the fraction of blood pumped out of the heart with each beat. A low ejection fraction indicates a weak heart. Several trials have been conducted involving patients with enlarged weak heart muscles of unknown causes. For those of you who like difficult phrases this condition (or variety of conditions) is known as idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. In these trials CoQ10 supplementation was compared to placebo effects. Standard treatments for heart failure were not discontinued. The results were measured by echocardiography (a diagnostic test which uses ultrasound waves to make images of the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures). The overall results of CoQ10 supplementation demonstrated a steady and continued improvement in heart function as well as steady and continued reduction in patient symptoms including fatigue, chest pains, palpitations and breathing difficulty. Patients with more establish and long-term cases showed gradual improvement but did not gain normal heart function. Patients with newer cases of heart failure demonstrated much more rapid improvement often returning to normal heart function. Papers numbering in the hundreds from eight different symposia have been written and presented on the effects of CoQ10 on heart disease. International clinical studies have also been conducted in the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy and Sweden. Together these studies and the papers that have been derived from them demonstrate significant improvement in heart muscle function while causing no adverse effects. One particular area of study involves diastolic dysfunction which is one of the earliest signs of myocardial failure. Diastole is the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is filled with returning blood. Because this phase requires more cellular energy than the systolic phase (when the blood is pushed out of the heart) it is more dependent on CoQ10. Diastolic dysfunction is a stiffening of the heart muscle which naturally restricts the heartâ??s ability to pump. This condition is associated with many cardiac disorders. Hypertension is among these disorders. As the heart muscles become stiff there is often a corresponding rise in blood pressure. When the diastolic dysfunction is reversed, blood pressure tends to lower as well. In one study involving 109 patients with hypertension, CoQ10 supplementation was added to normal hypertension treatments. In an average of 4.4 months 51% of the patients were able stop using at least one blood pressure lowering medication. Some were able to stop using up to three medications. Another study produced similar results. In that study 43% of 424 patients were able to stop using between one and three cardiovascular drugs because of CoQ10 supplementation. These examples are just a drop in the bucket. Diastolic dysfunction (and by proxy, hypertension) includes only a small sampling of heart conditions that respond favorably to CoQ10 supplementation. Other areas of research show great promise for CoQ10 treatments. Among these are cancer and AIDS. But such conditions are beyond the scope of this essay. CoQ10 is essential to the proper functioning of all cell types. It is not surprising, therefore, to find a diverse number of diseases that respond favorably to CoQ10 supplementation. Since all metabolically active tissues are highly sensitive to CoQ10 deficiency, we can expect to see CoQ10 research expand to many other areas of chronic diseases. Greg holds degrees in science, divinity and philosophy and is currently an I.T. developer. http://www.optimal-heart-health.com/coq10.html
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Cortisol Blockers- After the Hype and Controversy, are there any Quality Products Still Standing? Over the last 2 years, the link between weight gain and the stress hormone Cortisol has taken center stage. The concept was introduced, capitalized upon, and basically challenged in the legal system all within the last 2 years. Supplements - How To Take Them It's unfortunate but many people have digestive systems that find it hard to break down food and absorb nutrients - this can be caused by poor levels of stomach acid, toxic substances in the gut, insufficient production of digestive enzymes among other reasons. This condition can of course be dramatically improved as nutrient intake is increased slowly. Vitamin Smoothies to Beat the Summer Heat Vitamin smoothies are a great way to enjoy a cold beverage and relax on a hot summer day. Smoothies are not only delicious, but they are good for you as well, providing many nutritional benefits which will improve your dietary habits. Keeping Illnesses at Bay with Antioxidant Vitamins Antioxidant vitamins perform many important tasks that our bodies benefits from. In recent years, a great deal of research has been done concerning the abilities of the antioxidant vitamins to prevent certain diseases, ranging from cancer to heart ailments. Ways to Maximize Vitamin Absorption 1. Do not refrigerate vegetables and fruits (raw and uncut) for more than two days. The Shocking Truth About Eight Deadly Diseases That May Be Affecting Your Health and Lifestyle I came across an article written by Dr. Ray Strand, a family practitioner and author of several books including What Your Doctor Doesn't know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You; Releasing Fat; Developing Healthy Lifestyles That Have a Side-effect of Permanent Fat Loss; and Bionutrition: The Amazing Health Benefits of Vitamin Supplements, to name a few. Vitamin Supplements, Do We Need Them? We live in a health conscious generation where vitamins and nutrition have become important topics. Through news, books, advertisements we are being educated as to why need to use vitamins. Why Supplements and Glyconutritionals? Food is one of our most basic needs. However, in our modern society fresh food is a thing of the past. Side Effects of Hyaluronic Acid Products Currently, there are no known side effects for most hyaluronic acid products including pills, serums, creams and liquids. However, there are some side effects associated with knee and facial injections. The Effectiveness of Vitamin C We all know that vitamin C is one of the most popular health supplements which acts as a stimulant for the immune system of our body. Recent research has revealed that vitamin C could play a part in cancer prevention. Vitamin E Three Important Nutrients - Vitamin E, Selenium, and Sodium and Potassium - for good healthVitamin EThere is has been a lot of controversy about vitamin E lately. In the news last month, the news media was pushing a story that "Vitamin E can cause you to die. Herbal Sex Supplements There are numerous herbal supplements on the market today that increase sexual performance and satisfaction. How is one to choose which of these products is the right one to try? Trying to sort through the various descriptions can be time-consuming and frustrating. Shopping for Supplements -- Living Healthy and Saving Money When it comes to personalized weight loss programs and their role in weight loss success, diet gurus and so-called experts have had a lot to say when it comes to nutritional supplements. Usually what they are writing and saying and urging you to do is BUY! BUY! BUY! And what you should be buying is their particular brand of vitamins, minerals, healthy weight loss shakes, etc. How to Neutralize the Terrorists Within Your Body Did you know that there are free radical biochemical "terrorists" systematically attacking your cells and the DNA of your cells everyday, on an average of 10,000 hits per day?These internal weapons of mass destruction are abnormal (free radical) oxygen molecules that are destroying your health and accelerating the aging process. 73% of all diseases are caused by these free radical biochemical "terrorists" molecules. Protect and Improve Your Health With Antioxidants Every minute of every day the cells of our bodies are assaulted by particles called oxygen free radicals, also called oxidants. We can't escape free radicals because our cells produce them during normal metabolism. Advanced Creatine Cycling Schedule Many people find that after a few weeks, the gains they make on creatine monohydrate begin to taper off or even disappear altogether. There's an increasing belief among hardcore trainers that cycling creatine intake may help one experience continued progress with this proven supplement. Are You Flushing Your Money Down The Toilet...Literally? Many of you are probably aware that The American Medical Association has officially declared that all adults should be taking food supplements. Taking a multivitamin/mineral and an antioxidant every day is now doctor-recommended. How Effective are Oral Hyaluronic Acid Supplements? There is a paradox of sorts when dealing with injections versus oral supplements. Many people would much rather take an oral supplement than have an injection administered. Beta-Glucan May Prevent Anthrax When Taken Orally In a 2002 study, a group of researchers used oral Beta Glucan to treat mice infected with Bacillus Anthracites. With the high incidence of anthrax vaccine complications, an alternative preventative approach is sorely needed to deal with this frightening disease. The Benefits of Protein Powders I know protein is good for me, but do I need a supplement? Whey, egg, casein and soy - which one protein is right for me and what does each one do?Let's get the facts straight. Protein exists in virtually everything that moves and makes sounds, or in almost any animal.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
