| What is it? | CoQ10 is a lipid molecule that belongs to a family of substances known
as quinones. CoQ10, sometimes referred to as Ubiquinone, is a nutrient
present in every cell of the body, and is absolutely necessary to
sustain life by acting as a coenzyme in the pathway that produces
energy. |
| Where is it from? | Dietary sources of CoQ10 are highest in beef heart, liver, broccoli, and
spinach. Unfortunately, these foods rate rather low on our choices of
food to eat. CoQ10 is also manufactured in the body, mostly in the
liver, and is converted from cholesterol like most hormones.
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| What is it used for? | Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from
free radicals, which destroy cells in the body. CoQ10 inhibits the
destruction of cells by free radicals by binding them with oxygen
molecules, thus rendering them harmless. In addition, the role of CoQ10
as an antioxidant in the heart is especially crucial. The heart has the
highest turnover of oxygen of any organ in the body, and is highly
susceptible to free radical formation causing subsequent damage to the
heart tissue.
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