The CoQ10 for those over 50 (Ubiquinol vs Ubiquinone)

Co Q 10 is very important, especially if you are on statins. However, there is one thing more to consider.
Your age determines what form of CoQ10 that your body can absorb. Those under 50 can take ubiquinone with easy absorption. Those 50 and over need ubiquinol. I did a test myself and am convinced!!!
Since I am 55, the ubiquinol far outperformed the ubiquinone. I believe both are invaluable, but age does factor into the equation.

Read the following article................

Are you taking the wrong
type of CoQ10?

Coenzyme Q10 is one fantastic nutrient. Your body typically makes plenty of it in your liver. But when your body doesn't make enough, it is hard to replace. That's because CoQ10 isn't absorbed very well. Fortunately, there's one type of CoQ10 that's easily absorbed. And it can work wonders on your heart.

Researchers recently gave a group of rabbits one of three infusions: CoQ10 laden liposomes, empty liposomes, or saline. Then they closed off a coronary artery for 30 minutes (occlusion). And then the researchers opened the artery to blood flow (reperfusion). The risk area to their main left ventricle was 20% of its mass. It's well known and accepted that when a blood vessel occludes, its reopening can lead to yet more injury called "reperfusion injury."

The rabbits that took the saline lost 70% of the risk heart mass area. Those taking empty liposomes lost 60% of the risked area. But those given the CoQ10 lost only 30%. The authors concluded that CoQ10 greatly protected those heart muscle cells at the greatest risk.

CoQ10 is a critical nutrient for your cells' furnaces, the mitochondria. And your heart, your body's constant workhorse, is loaded with mitochondria. CoQ10 is required for them to make energy. It protects the mitochondria from the hot blast of combustion they stoke.

As I mentioned earlier, CoQ10 is tough to replenish when your body doesn't make enough. So it's vital you take a CoQ10 that's easy to absorb. It is called ubiquinol. While it is impractical to give you IV CoQ10, ubiquinol currently provides you the best delivery of CoQ10 available. If your heart is at risk with any affliction, please be sure CoQ10 is at the top of your list.

By gpa-healer
Posted July 15, 2009 at 12:45 pm
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The Mayo Clinic also supports the use of Statin drugs to control a non-existant disease. "High" cholesterol was determined to be a "disease" after it became easy to measure blood cholesterol and after the drug companies came out with their patented family of statin drugs - Lipitor is the biggest single drug moneymaker in history.

Now, back to Co-Q10...the allopathic doctors are now prescribing Co-Q10 with their statins because of the heart attacks that their statins are causing. I bet doctors at Mayo are likewise doing so.

The evidence is there regarding the health benefits of Co-Q10. Ubiquinol is better than Ubiquinone, according to research reports - go here for an in-depth look at the two... http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/jan2007_report_coq10_01.htm

When people come to us and want advice about their health, and then don't want to follow the advice, it is time to smile and just say "Next" - and we pray for them.

Blessings,
gpa

By vampyrra1
Posted June 19, 2009 at 9:56 pm
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Hi Jaynie!

Kudos to you for an excellent post! Cellular physiology is so complex, but you clearly have an excellent grasp of the process. I hope you do try the Co-Q-10... I think you'll benefit from it. Keep in mind that it takes most people anywhere from 2-6 weeks to see a noticeable improvement.

Actually, I've been "vampyrra" for many years. I was always the one in ICU/CCU that could start an IV or get a blood sample from ANYONE (even with no apparent veins). It was decided that I must be a vampire! The name stuck. Of course, it doesn't help that I wear black most of the time.

For months now, I've seen you referred to as Mrs. NASA Pants, but I've never been able to locate an explanatory post. Help a sister out... WHAT DOES IT MEAN??

Terri

By lkay
Posted June 14, 2009 at 9:51 am
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Wow girls, I just stumbled across this one and think that its perhaps time to try the COQ10 for myself and see what effect it might have. I'll run it past the MS neuro next month for his blessing, of course. He is always open to the possibilities ........ Unfortunately I just saw my cardio and won't see him again until Sept.

You old timers here might remember my inability to tolerate the Lipitor, just like so many of you here. I am not a fan of statins either.

Thanks for doing all this research - lots of good and interesting stuff in here.

be well,
Laura

By martzj
Posted June 13, 2009 at 10:08 pm
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Dear Delilah,
"I'm going to send you a couple of C-PAP machines for your first anniversary. I wouldn't want you two love birds to be out of the latest fashion."

Just send one....he's the snorer in the family! I'm much too ladylike to snore : )

cheers and thanks for your sentimental gift idea. It's SO you : )

Mermie

By martzj
Posted June 13, 2009 at 10:04 pm
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vampyrra,

great name! Might you be a Twilight fan? : )

"Things were looking pretty grim and out of desperation I began doing my own research (I am a former ICU/CCU RN so I had a broad base of knowledge to begin with)." Cool....we have a CCU RN here now!! Thanks for sharing your personal research project results with us. Between you, Lydia, Sherrie and Kathi...I'm in ladies! Tomorrow!! I am 15 years out from the first heart attacks so it will be fascinating to see if my energy improves and ischemic heart muscle gets a noticable function boost!

Mitochodrial dna is so ancient and alien to regular DNA I heard author Bill Bryson describe it this way: "They now live essentially as lodgers in our cells, preserving their own genetic instructions, dividing to their own timetable, speaking their own language. You may also recall that we are at the mercy of their goodwill. Here's why. Virtually all the food and oxygen you take into your body are delivered, after processing, to the mitochondria, where they are converted into a molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is what keeps you going. ATP molecules are essentially little battery packs that move through the cell providing energy for all the cell's processes and you get through a LOT of it. At any given moment, , a typical cell in your body will have about one billion ATP molecules in it, and in 2 minutes every one of them will have been drained dry and another billion willhave taken their place. Every day you produce and use up a volume of ATP equivalent to about half your body weight. Feel the warmth of your skin. That's your ATP at work."

"When cells are no longer needed, they die with what can only be called great dignity. They take down all struts and buttresses that hold them together and quietly devour their component parts. ..programmed cell death. Cells mostly die because they are told to. Cells need a lot of reassurance." Classic Bill Bryson!

Sooooo....only mitochondrial dna can produce ATP which keeps us going! Anything that interferes with that product is BAD. I'm going out first thing tomorrow for CoQ10!!! mitochondrial dna is such a survivor it has been extracted from fossils millions of years old.
Very cool, very eerie stuff. We need to be doing all we can to make it happy!!! : )

cheers, Jaynie

By Ecksunbeam
Posted June 13, 2009 at 9:34 pm
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I'm 61 and do three flights with groceries. And gallon bottles of chocolate milk!

May the CoQ10 WH Olympics begin!

Love,

Dandelion

By Ecksunbeam
Posted June 13, 2009 at 9:23 pm
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Hey Mermaid,

I'm going to send you a couple of C-PAP machines for your first anniversary. I wouldn't want you two love birds to be out of the latest fashion.

BRAT!

By martzj
Posted June 13, 2009 at 8:59 pm
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"Nothing to lose Jaynie, I wasn't exaggerating, the big test for me was a flight of steps to the top of the cliff near home, 160 of them, pre MI I could do them without stopping for a breath, doc told me to stay away from them, a challenge or what? "

Hey Lidia...what a great story!!! I DO know what you mean about seeing the real you back in the mirror!

Ok, I just turned 54 and I can't let my 56 year old Brit heart sis beat me up a flight of stairs! : ) So..........I shall forthwith hasten to the apothecary and procure CoQ10. Let the games begin!!!

Married life is too fun! Last night we got our glasses repaired together at the mall. Isn't that a romantic date night? Then we bought matching neoprene pull-on knee braces....How hot is that? woohooo

hugs to you,
Mrs. NASA Pants

By grace5
Posted June 13, 2009 at 5:36 pm
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Terri, yours was a fascinating post to read, it's so good to get some positive information and I'm also very glad to hear you found a way to help yourself and also went on to help many others.
To do so much research is amazing, thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.
Since digging around for as much information as I can in order to educate myself I feel as if I have regained some control, I'm not just a compliant patient anymore, I have a voice again and I'm not afraid of using it. This group has so much to offer and share, it never ceases to amaze me.
Lidia xx

By grace5
Posted June 13, 2009 at 3:01 pm
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Hi Mrs Nasa Pants aka Jaynie, how goes married life?
Did you read Vampyrra's post? (great name!) Now there's a recommendation if ever I saw one.
Nothing to lose Jaynie, I wasn't exaggerating, the big test for me was a flight of steps to the top of the cliff near home, 160 of them, pre MI I could do them without stopping for a breath, doc told me to stay away from them, a challenge or what?
A couple of weeks ago I did it, a bit puffed, I'm 56 after all ;-) but they hold no fear now, what a result! I can't swear it's the Q10 of course, I stopped statins and beta blockers so that helped, now that my legs move again and I don't want to sleep all the time!
When I look in the mirror I see 'me' again, I think you'll understand what I mean.
Love, Lid xx

By Ecksunbeam
Posted June 13, 2009 at 9:01 am
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Statins, CoQ10 and Your Health
Should I be concerned about taking Statin (cholesterol-lowering medications)?

Statin medications are the best-selling class of medications in pharmacies today. They are prescribed to reduce cholesterol levels, particularly the levels of "bad" cholesterol, known as Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL). Though these medications are considered safe, they can cause unwanted side effects and problems with digestion, muscles and general fatigue. And this is a HUGE concern for the people taking them. The problems with muscles and fatigue may occur due to a depletion of an important nutrient known as CoEnzyme Q10, or CoQ10.

Why is the depletion of CoQ10 a big deal?

Physicians prescribing Statin medication to lower cholesterol know that CoQ10 is depleted by the medication. Many physicians understand that this could be important and may recommend that their patients supplement with CoQ10 while taking the medication. And they should. CoQ10, a vital antioxidant and energy-producing substance is critically important for every cell in the body!

So is the depletion CoQ10 a big deal? Well, it could be.

There exists an important action/reaction between the decreased levels of CoQ10 with heart and energy functions. One pharmaceutical company has patented a combined statin/CoQ10 medication, but has yet to bring it to market. Now, that should tell you something!

Pharmaceutical medications can cause side effects that may be a deficiency of particular nutrients. Perhaps the side effects aren’t really side effects at all, simply the symptoms created by the deficiencies. Gauging by the large pharmaceutical interest in a medication with this combination, the coincidences certainly are worth exploring.

Will this depletion of CoQ10 hurt me?

It might. Insufficient levels of this nutrient can cause problems with fundamental quality of living by reducing basic cellular energy. Natural human CoQ10 levels drop with age and clinically low levels of CoQ10 are often seen in people with heart failure, clinical fatigue, and muscle problems. Obviously people taking statins are not killing over from a lack of the nutrient… but how do you feel? People seeking great health need a good diet, exercise, etc. But CoQ10 depleted from your body reduces your energy... and that's a big problem.

What is CoQ10 and what does it do for my body that it is so important?

CoQ10 is in each cell of the body. It plays a vital role in the cell’s energy production. CoQ10 aids in energy within our mitochondria, our cells' energy factory, like a spark plug that fires our engines. That’s how important it is! CoQ10 also has antioxidant properties. It protects the heart. Anyone taking statins to lower cholesterol can appreciate how important that is!

Can’t I just get my CoQ10 from my food?

To put dietary CoQ10 intake into perspective, one pound of sardines, two pounds of beef, or two and one half pounds of peanuts, provide 30 mg of CoQ10. Just one tablet of Statin Companion contains 50 mg.

So, if I just take CoQ10, I will feel better?

Just taking CoQ10 may not make you feel any different. But the clinically proven delivery system for Statin Companion, known as NT Factor, with the added CoQ10, can really make a difference in your energy. We guarantee it.

If CoQ10 is so important, why don’t they make it into a drug? Or at least let me know about it on the medication fact sheets?

Based on the current legislative regulations, CoQ10 is considered a food and therefore cannot be patented as such. It should also be noted that other countries do prescribe CoQ10 and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Lipitor®, hold a patent for a combination statin/CoQ10 product. But, for now, you can only purchase CoQ10 as a supplement. Statin Companion is a guaranteed approach to providing CoQ10 supplementation.

Is CoQ10 safe?

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) determined that the upper safe level (USL) for CoQ10 is 1,200 mgs. daily. There is no existing evidence that suggests CoQ10 has any toxicity or adverse effects when taken in levels less than this.

By vampyrra1
Posted June 12, 2009 at 11:37 pm
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I am an absolute believer in the benefits of Co-Q10! Five years ago, I developed severe drug resistant hypertension (followed rapidly by the beginning stages of diastolic failure). I had an entire team of physicians trying every med and med combination conceivable to no avail. Things were looking pretty grim and out of desperation I began doing my own research (I am a former ICU/CCU RN so I had a broad base of knowledge to begin with). I came across a number of university-based studies using Co-Q-10 for severe hypertension, statin complications and congestive heart failure. I began cautiously with 40mg twice daily and worked my way up to 200mg twice daily over a period of several weeks. I had been graphing my BPs on request of my physicians and amazingly, after two weeks on Co-Q-10 my meds suddenly started working. I had compiled an impressive bibliography on Co-Q-10 and provided that to my doctors also and they were floored! The articles and graphs have been passed around several internal medicine and family practice groups locally and the use of Co-Q-10 has become fairly common here. Since the majority of really large drug studies are sponsored or at least co-sponsored by drug companies, you're not likely to see too many mega-studies. Co-Q-10 is a naturally occurring substance and as such can't be patented (the method of concentrating/refining or combining with another drug can be patented). No one is likely to fund a huge study since the return would be relatively limited. In all of the studies I accumulated, even at large doses (>400mg daily) the only adverse reaction noted was occasional nausea (rare). It was also noted to be free of known drug interactions (nice bonus). For anyone interested I would suggest a googlescholar search, keywords Co-enzyme Q-10, hypertension, statins. I am typically not one to give myself over to the "supplement of the month" mentality, but Co-Q-10 literally saved my life and I'm very grateful to have found it!

Terri

By Winglover
Posted June 12, 2009 at 8:29 pm
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This will add one more article to my arsenal when my son returns to the heart transplant clinic. I have asked to add this frequently but they tell me no. I will not add it to his meds on my own, but I must say I would probably take it myself.

By martzj
Posted June 12, 2009 at 5:53 pm
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Hey Brit heart sis!,

"Since coming off statins and beta blockers and taking omega 3 6 and 9 and CoQ10 I have heaps of energy, I feel like I've finally turned back the clock."

I wish I had seen this earlier.....was in stores today and just couldn't talk myself off the fence about the CoQ10. I'm still taking nightly statin dose (cause I have no side effects I'm aware of) and have reduced the Coreg 12.5 to only one dose at night (because I've NEVER had high blood pressure, only arrhytmias) and skipping the morning dose has made a big difference in how awful and draggy I felt immediately upon taking it.....just kept me too close to bottoming out. So....now you've got me wondering what CoQ10 for women age 54 might offer! hummm My PCP wanted me to take it but I was leery and it wasn't insurance covered. Now might be a great time to experiment. It's summer, I swam today and can be more active out.....I need every heart helper I can find!!

Will post the results if I notice any. You can imagine what my quality of life has been like being on both statins + beta blockers for 13 years straight! On top of dead heart muscle. whew!

Having tandoori chicken, naan-tandoori bread and salad for dinner! I was in a raging India curry craving at Trader Joe's this afternoon.

cheers, Jaynie

ps. Just found a miracle at Trader Joe's: Dark Chocolate covered EDAMAME (soy beans for those who don't know). Yummy! Heart attack girls are allowed dark chocolate and all the soy beans, soy products they want. I make myself an iced chai soy milk every day. Double delicious and feels just creamy enough to be a shake without the horrid saturated calories of cow milk.

By arizona1
Posted June 12, 2009 at 3:44 pm
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Well said Lidia!! We are here to inform , not dictate. We are here to present other possiblities. Until you are presented with the realization that the medical community cannot help you, you don't realize there are other options. Options that prove themselves to be successful in contrast with those that were deified as the only answers.

Lidia, I am glad that you are finding yourself much more energetic in light of getting off your medications.
We are not promoting this to everyone, but offering alternatives. It is very well known that statins deplete CoQ10 in the body. What does it take for someone to
get that concept??? DEATH????? ILLNESS????
We must be informed , not led by the ring in our nose to slaughter.

Kathi

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