2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is extremely important for health and especially for the health of the heart and blood vessels. Its chemical structure was discovered in 1957, and it turns out that the human body can produce coenzyme Q using metabolic pathways. Coenzyme Q10 is also known as coenzyme Q10. This number "10" after its name refers to a specific part of its chemical structure called isoprene tail.
Coenzyme Q is a vitamin-like substance that plays a key role in the respiratory energy chain at the cellular level, which is carried out on the inside of the mitochondrial cell organelles, which are responsible for the production of energy fuel for cells - adenosine triphosphate / ATP /.
About 95% of the energy produced in the human body is in the form of ATP, and the organs with the most activity, such as the heart, kidneys and liver, have the highest amount of coenzyme Q and therefore have the greatest need for it..
Functions of coenzyme Q
Energy production - special miniature organs inside the cells, called mitochondria, take fat and other substances and convert them into usable energy. This process always requires coenzyme Q.
Cellular protection - coenzyme Q. is a very good antioxidant used by the body to protect cells from oxygen damage and free radicals.
Benefits of Coenzyme Q
Coenzyme Q plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of heart disease associated with arrhythmia, angina, heart attack, mitral valve prolapse, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis and heart failure, breast cancer, AIDS, infertility, muscular dystrophy, problems with gums and gastric ulcer.
As it has already become clear, the beneficial effect of coenzyme has been proven in people who have had a heart attack. Taking it in the next three days after the heart attack drastically reduces the risk of a second heart attack. Its prophylactic use in people who are prone to heart problems prevents the formation of blood clots and plaques in the coronary arteries.
Studies show that coenzyme Q10 has the ability to lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It also has a beneficial effect on bad cholesterol levels.
Due to its beneficial effects on the heart and high blood pressure, coenzyme is useful in the treatment of the insidious disease diabetes.
Gum problems are a serious and ubiquitous problem. It has been found that people with these problems have low levels of Q10, and its intake strengthens diseased tissues.
Last but not least coenzyme Q. has an anti-aging effect. Intake of high amounts of it slows the development of Parkinson's disease. It improves immunity and protects the body from various viral infections.
Coenzyme Q deficiency
The deficit of coenzyme Q. is associated with a variety of problems, including cardiac arrhythmia, angina and high blood pressure, as well as problems regulating blood sugar. Gum problems and stomach ulcers can also be a sign of a deficiency of this nutrient.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs also lower coenzyme Q levels in the blood.
Coenzyme Q plays an important role in maintaining the supply of vitamin E. When vitamin E becomes "utilized" in the performance of its duty as an antioxidant, protector of cell membranes, coenzyme Q. can provide "recharging" and restore its antioxidant capacity.
Sources of coenzyme Q
All oxygen-breathing organisms contain coenzyme Q-like substances. Its very good sources are meat, and it can mostly be found in the liver and heart. Fish is also very rich in coenzyme Q. Of the vegetables, the richest are broccoli, spinach and parsley; of fruits - strawberries, apples, avocados, oranges and grapes.
Of the oils, the highest content of coenzyme can be found in olive oil, soybean oil and grape seeds. There are also high amounts in nuts.
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Coenzyme A
Coenzymes are basic organic compounds that interact with enzymes to help catalyze reactions. The enzyme has an active site where it catalyzes the reaction of the substrate, but the coenzyme binds to other areas of the enzyme, changes its shape and helps it to better respond to its functions.