In any organism, biological processes are essential for life to be
maintained. Such processes are called biochemical pathways. These
pathways are basically intermediate steps in a long chain of
chemical reactions which, eventually, gives rise to the needed
substance. In many of these biochemical pathways, coenzymes are
present and necessary. An enzyme is a chemical which acts as a
catalyst for a reaction. It can modify the rate at which a reaction
takes place without actually being used up itself. Its very
presence causes a change of rate. A coenzyme is therefore two
enzymes which work in tandem to facilitate one or more steps in a
biochemical pathway.
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10 for short, is one such necessary step
in a complex set of reactions which are necessary for our cells to
function. It is especially important because it aids in the
production of other enzymes called mitochondrial
enzymes. Mitochondria are small "factories" in cells that create
and store energy for the cells basic functions. Like batteries,
cells use chemicals to create the electrical charge (energy)
necessary to function. The chemical needed for the "batteries" in
cells is called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The mitochondrial
enzymes are vital in making ATP which is of course the source of
energy for cellular life. Thus one can see the complex string of
events needed for energy creation in cells. Coenzyme Q10 aids in
making the mitochondrial enzymes which in turn facilitate the
production of ATP.
CoQ10 has been found to be one of many antioxidants. These
are valuable compounds because they help to defend the body against
"free radicals." Free radicals are substances that are capable of
breaking down and weakening cells by oxidizing them, hence the
solution of an antioxidant. It has also been found that individuals
with an insufficiency of this enzyme also have heart disease. This
insufficiency can be caused for several reasons including lack of
the enzyme in diet, a problem in bodily production, or excessive
utilization by the body. Because the biochemical pathway that makes
this enzyme is so complex and lengthy (a 17 step process) it can
easily be fouled along the way by some external problem, such as
prescription medications. This leads many experts to believe that
supplementing an individual's diet is the best way to make up the
difference.
Remember that CoQ10 is incredibly important in producing the
chemical power for our cells (ATP)? Well imagine how much energy
it takes to run a machine which is working continuously for 24 hours
a day, seven days a week for approximately 60-70 years. The heart
is one of the highest energy using cell areas in the human body and
therefore needs the bulk of ATP produced energy. If there is a
deficiency of ATP (or the enzymes that produce it) then there is not
enough energy to make the heart function correctly. If the heart is
not pumping with enough force, or if the cells are starved for
energy, cardiomyopathy can easily result for many reasons. In at
least nine international studies, it has been strongly shown that
supplementing a patient with this coenzyme can greatly improve both
the symptoms of their heart disease/cardiomyopathy (fatigue, chest
pain, dyspnea, and palpatations) and the underlying disease
itself.
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