There a many claims made about different nutrients being THE ONE — the secret ingredient to anti-aging. While I don’t believe anything will really ever fit that claim — your body is too complex to be miraculously saved by a single substance — Coenzyme Q₁₀ is one powerful nutrient.

CoQ10 and Heart Health

Called CoQ₁₀ for short, this amazing substance plays a huge role in your health at the cellular level. Mitochondria are the blast furnaces of your body. This is where the energy needed to fuel your body is produced.

This energy is stored in a molecule called adrenosine-5-triphosphate, or ATP and used by every cell in your body. CoQ_{10 [}sometimes known as ubiquinone] plays a critical role in the electron transport chain used to make ATP.

CoQ₁₀ is found in its highest concentrations in parts of the body with the highest energy demands, organs like the liver, kidneys, and especially the heart.

While its primary function is to participate in energy production, CoQ₁₀ is also a powerful antioxidant. It ranks right up there with vitamins C & E in its ability to fight free radical damage. In fact, CoQ₁₀ has the ability to regenerate vitamin E, making them a lethal one-two punch on free the oxidation process.

As mentioned, CoQ₁₀ plays a key role in the cells of the heart. Low levels have been found in patients with congestive heart failure. Increased levels can prove beneficial to patients recovering from cardiac arrest and with high blood pressure. Migraine sufferers may find relief with CoQ₁₀.

CoQ₁₀ and Statin Drugs

If you are one of the millions of people taking a statin drug to control your cholesterol levels, CoQ₁₀ is a must for you. Statin drugs like Lipitor can reduce serum levels of CoQ₁₀ by as much as 40%. Discuss this with your physician to ensure you are replenishing this critical nutrient.

While fish and calf liver and other organ meats are the best food sources of CoQ₁₀, supplementation is often the best way to ensure you have adequate levels. This is especially the case if you are 40 or older when your body’s ability to utilise and synthesise it decreases.

Do yourself a favour and bathe the cells of your body with a daily dose of CoQ₁₀. Your cells will love you for it!