Transforming Food into Energy
To transform that lunchtime sandwich
into useable energy your body essentially has to burn it - just the way
a car burns gasoline to drive its engine. This energy generating
process takes place in structures called mitochondria
- tiny power plants which are within every cell. Inside these energy
generating stations, fats, sugars, and amino acids are transformed into
ATP, an energy-rich molecule sometimes called the "energy currency" of
the body.
Energy Generation Requires Nutrients
The body requires many nutrients in
order to perform the complex biochemical processes that convert food
into ATP "energy currency." Some of these nutrients such as the
B-Vitamins are familiar to us. However, there are many other substances
which are essential to this process. Coenzyme Q10 is one of these.
Functions of CoQ10
Several complex metabolic pathways
are required in order for the body to transform that lunchtime sandwich
into energy that you can feel and use. First glycolysis and the Krebs
cycle break down large molecules of protein, carbohydrate and fat into
smaller components.
CoQ10 is a key enzyme that the Electron Transport Chain - the final stage in this extraordinary design. This pathway generates 90% of the ATP needed by the body from the food we eat. ATP provides the "energy currency" for the following crucial metabolic functions:
- synthesis of cellular components including cholesterol and proteins (formed primarily by the liver)
- nerve conduction (in the brain and peripheral nerves), and
- energy for muscular contraction (of the heart and skeletal muscles).
The Heart
The
heart muscle (myocardium) consumes a tremendous amount of energy. Your
heart beats over 100,000 times and pumps 1,000 gallons of blood each
day! CoQ10 is necessary for the generation of the energy required by
the heart.
Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that
supplementation with this nutrient may support normal heart function.
Its presence is necessary for cardiac performance during exercise as
exemplified by criteria including: blood flow, oxygen utilization,
contractility and exercise tolerance. In addition, CoQ10 may play a
role in the regulation of blood pressure.
The Gums
Since
the 1970's, scientists have been researching the effects of CoQ10 o the
health of the oral tissues. Although the mechanism of action is not
known, research has established that CoQ10 has a profound ability to
preserve and maintain the health of the gums.
Antioxidant Properties
CoQ10
plays an additional vital role in our metabolism as a protector of
lipids in cell membranes. Laboratory studies have also shown that CoQ10
is more efficient than Vitamin E, beta carotene or lycopene in
safeguarding LDL cholesterol from oxidation by peroxides. This process
is important for maintaining the health of our blood vessels.
Source: Source Naturals
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Scientific References
- Folkers et al., BCACQ, Elsevier, 1997.
- Judy et al., BCACQ, Elsevier, 1984.
- Kamikawa, T. et al., American Journal of Cardiology, Vol. 56, August 1, 1985, p. 247-250.
- Nohara et al., Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q, Elsevier, 1984.
- Packer, L., Oxidative Stress and Aging, Birkhauser Verlad, 1995.
- Stocker, et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 88, pp 1646-1650, March 1991.
- Tortora, G. Principles of Human Anatomy, 4th Ed., Harper & Row, New York, 1986, p. 301.
- Wilkinson and Arnold, Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q, Elsevier, 1977.
- Yamagami et al, Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q, Elsevier 1977.
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