Pharma Nord Uniqinol
Pharma Nord Uniqinol differs from all other Coenzyme Q10's as it comes in a reduced non- oxidised form, which makes it upto 8 times more bio-available. This form makes it ideal for people with compromised digestive systems or for individuals who suffer from a chronic health condition.
Coenzyme Q10 helps to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, and benefits patients with cardiovascular disease, with benefits for hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, coronary artery disease and heart failure, and treatment with lipid lowering statin drugs.
Coenzyme Q10 promotes normal immune function (cells involved in immune response have a high energy dependence), and benefits patients with breast cancer.
Coenzyme Q10 inhibits the development of periodontal disease.
Coenzyme Q10 benefits patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Coenzyme Q10 (also known as ubiqinol) is a vitamin like substance which plays a vital role in the body’s energy supply mechanism, acting in conjunction with enzymes (hence the name coenzyme Q10) to convert sugars and fat into energy. Coenzyme Q10 is also important as an antioxidant within the body. Coenzyme quinones occur in several chemical forms, with coenzyme Q10 being the only form found in human tissues. The human body is able to synthesize (in the liver) a limited amount of coenzyme Q10, with the remainder being obtained from the diet. Rich sources of coenzyme Q10 include fish (mackerel, salmon, sardines) and nuts. Under normal circumstances, the body is able to maintain adequate levels of coenzyme Q10. However, coenzyme Q10 levels decrease with age (after 21 our levels decline) and are depleted by intense physical exercise or illness.
What does coenzyme Q10 do?
Coenzyme Q10 is an essential cofactor of enzymes involved in the energy production process. Coenzyme Q10 is stored in mitochondria, structures found within cells responsible for the generation of energy (in the form of a molecule called ATP). Tissues with a high energy requirement (heart, liver, skeletal muscles) contain higher numbers of mitochondria within their cells. Coenzyme Q10 is also important within the body as a major fat-soluble antioxidant, protecting cell membranes from the damaging effects of free radicals (which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases), in a complementary manner to vitamin E. Clinical studies have shown coenzyme Q10 to have the following benefits:
Coenzyme Q10 helps to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, and benefits patients with cardiovascular disease, with benefits for hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, coronary artery disease and heart failure, and treatment with lipid lowering statin drugs.
Coenzyme Q10 promotes normal immune function (cells involved in immune response have a high energy dependence), and benefits patients with breast cancer.
Coenzyme Q10 inhibits the development of periodontal disease.
Coenzyme Q10 benefits patients with Parkinson’s disease.
What evidence is there for the efficacy of Coenzyme Q10?
(i)Cardiovascular disease: Coenzyme Q10 protects against atherosclerosis by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, inhibits inappropriate clotting of blood, lowers blood pressure, and benefits heart function in patients with myocardial infarction and cardiomyopathy (Alleva et al, 1995; Langsjoen et al, 1994; Mortensen, 1993; Singh, 1998). A meta-analysis by Soja & Mortensen (1997) and a review by Mortensen (2003) have demonstrated the benefits of coenzyme Q10 supplementation for congestive heart failure. The potential benefits of coenzyme Q10 supplementation in paediatric cardiomyopathy have been reviewed by Bhagavan & Chopra (2005). The use of coenzyme Q10 in the treatment of hypertension has been reviewed (Rosenfeldt et al, 2003; Wilburn et al, 2004).
(ii) Statin therapy: Statins are drugs that reduce circulatory cholesterol levels, and are used primarily to protect at-risk patients from adverse cardiovascular events. Statins are potent inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMGCoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. Whilst the safety record of these drugs is generally considered to be acceptable (particularly in limited time-frame usage), adverse effects do occur in a significant number of patients; these include skeletal muscle pain and weakness (occasionally resulting in potentially life-threatening rhabdomyolysis and renal failure), gastrointestinal disturbance, liver dysfunction, initiation or acceleration of cataracts, cognitive dysfunction and increased risk of polyneuropathy.
