Co-Enzyme Q10 & Carnitine

The chemical name of vitamin Q is 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-decaprenyl-1,4-benzoqinone; more commonly known as Ubiqinon, or co-enzyme Q10. There is a whole family of co-enzymes Q, called Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. after their molecular structure. Humans and most other vertebrates use only Q10, although the liver can synthesise Q10 from other forms of co-enzyme Q. For this to work, a sufficient presence of vitamin B is required, as is a well-functioning, healthy liver.

Q10 is necessary for the production of energy in the cell. Nothing, absolutely nothing works properly if the amount is insufficient. A supplement can boost your energy in a very noticeable way, strengthen organs, tissues, and systems; and it can reduce, retard, perhaps even reverse ageing. In addition to that, Q10 is a strong anti-oxidant. Especially, vitamin E and Q10 together protect cholesterol from oxidation, thus reducing the risk for vascular disease.

(When vitamin E has neutralised a free radical - that is, acted as an anti-oxidant - it becomes a harmful oxidant in itself. Q10 neutralises that. Vitamin C, too, has that effect. Therefore high dose vitamin E should be combined with vitamin C or Q10. This is just one example of how one anti-oxidant protects another. The full extent of the interaction is still unmapped.)

On the other hand, if you try to reduce the liver's production of cholesterol, you can possibly reduce its production of Q10 as well. If you take drugs for this purpose, taking an extra supplement of Q10 is a wise precaution.

Studies made on mice shows a prolonged life among those treated with Q10. They lived on an average 156% of the lives of the untreated. That is a life with more than a half ordinary lifetime added!

Probably Q10 protects the cells from ageing. For the brain this would mean that extra Q10 reduces the risk for dementia. Studies indicate that this is the case.

Q10 boosts the immune system and retards what is commonly considered as "age-related reduction of immunity".

Clinically, Q10 has repeatedly shown spectacular results in connection with periodontal disease and with heart problems.

Periodontal disease - inflammation of the gum around the teeth, finally resulting in a loss of teeth - is very common. In these cases, the gum has shown a lack of Q10. Supplementation has worked wonders sometimes. There are many reports of already loose teeth growing stable again. No doubt, Q10 supplementation acts preventively too; it improves gum health and reduces the risk of losing teeth.

Q10's effect on certain forms of heart disease is quite as dramatic, especially in cases of cardiomyopathy, a chronic heart muscle disease whose ultimate cause is unknown. The heart is too weak. Studies show that patients with cardiomyopathy have too little Q10 in the cells of their heart. When they get a supplement, the level of Q10 increases to normal, the symptoms fade (while not necessarily disappearing totally), and their chance to survive grows drastically. In one study the survival after five years was fifty (!) times higher among those who were treated with Q10. And there are examples of patients waiting for a transplantation who could be removed from the waiting-list after being given a high-dose Q10 treatment for some time.

It cannot be denied that a deficiency of Q10 can be the cause of, or at least a contributory cause of cardiomyopathy. But more studies are needed.

Another form of heart ailment, the most common, is ischemic heart disease. In some parts of the world this is the number one cause of death. It occurs when blood supply to the heart is reduced or blocked, most commonly by narrowed coronary arteries. Many risk factors are known: high cholesterol, lack of physical exercise, high blood pressure, stress, etc.

Q10 lowers high blood pressure, helps protecting cholesterol from oxidation, and improves the function of all organs, including the heart, by increasing cellular energy production.

No doubt Q10 plays a role in the treatment and prevention of coronary disease.

The second (known) main function of Q10 (apart from anti-oxidation) is energy production. In the mitochondria (in the cells), Q10 forms ATP, which is the major source of cellular energy. For a fatty acid to be used for that, it first must be transported into the mitochondria by carnitine, an amino acid. A deficiency of carnitine leads to an increasing level of fats in the blood, fats that could be used by Q10 to produce cellular energy, but which is not reaching the cells and the mitochondria because there is no carrier. In cases of high blood fats, supplementary carnitine should always be considered. Athletes sometimes use it to facilitate the use of fat as energy.

Further, carnitine can beneficially affect anti-oxidation, heart disease, bone structure, diabetes, dementia, and (especially male) fertility.

The best natural source of Q10 known is soy oil, followed by sardines in oil and mackerel.

Q10 supplements are available in many forms. Only soft gel capsules are acceptable! Other forms are close to useless, some of them can even block Q10 assimilation.

No official recommendations exist, but I would say that 30mg is a daily minimum, while 90mg might be closer to an optimal level. Much more can be taken against certain health disorders, but do not exceed 100mg/day during a prolonged time without being under the supervision of a competent professional. More has been taken without any adverse effects, but studies here are insufficient.

Carnitine can be synthesised by the body, but sometimes it can become too little due to a deficiency of nutrients needed for the synthesis. Natural sources are mostly those rich in protein. Vegetarians risk deficiency.

Carnitine is available as a supplement (as L-Carnitine, never use D-Carnitine). A normal dose is 500mg, which can be taken 1-3 times (500mg each dose) per day without any risk at all. More can be used as a medical treatment, but do not experiment on your own. If you use it for an existing problem with blood fats, take it between meals rather than with meals. That way you reduce the risk that your carnitine is used for something else.

Note that carnitine can interact with some medicines, so if you are under medication, consult a competent professional before taking it as a supplement.

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