Co-enzyme Q10: The Amazing Antioxidant That Is 100 Times More Powerful Than Vitamin E
If you already have an interest in your health, you are bound to have heard of the benefits of co-enzyme Q10. This nutrient is found in all cells of the body and plays a vital part in creating energy within the mitochondria, small organs inside the cell. However, few people have come across the much stronger and more effective cousin of co-enzyme Q10, called Idebenone.
Idebenone is a synthetic variant of co-enzyme Q10 that has been described by its supporters as 'The Ultimate Q10'. The effects of this supplement are wide-reaching, - improving a large number of your physical functions. It can slow down the rate at which you age, boost your energy and mental function, and help those recovering from a heart attack and stroke.
Idebenone: The antioxidant that fights the cause of free-radical damage
Idebenone is a strong antioxidant that mops up any free radicals (toxic by-products of the metabolism) that roam in the bloodstream (Anti-Aging Bull 1999, 4(4)). Many free radicals are also produced inside the mitochondria. This is because the process of energy production - which takes place in the mitochondria - uses oxygen and other chemicals, all of which generate free radicals as by-products.
Your body can control these free radicals up to a certain point, but the ageing process, infections, smoking and pollution all make it more difficult for you to contain free radical production and so an increased amount of these toxins spill out of the mitochondria (your body's energy 'batteries') and into the blood stream.
This causes widespread injury to the tissues of the body, resulting in a wide range of debilitating illnesses and diseases such as cataract, heart attack, stroke and liver failure.
But Idebenone is unique in its antioxidant action. It can literally get right inside the mitochondria and prevent excessive production of free radicals. In this way, it does not allow free radicals to spill out into the blood stream. Even if a small amount of free radicals do spill out, Idebenone is able to circulate in the bloodstream and neutralise any free radicals there (Pharm. Res. 2002,19(1):71-78).
A naturally potent energy booster
And Idebenone can benefit your health in many other ways too. Because it can reach the mitochondria, it not only reduces free radical production but it can also improve the overall production of energy.
For this reason Idebenone, as well as co-enzyme Q10, is used by people who want to build up their energy reserves, following an illness or during a stressful period.
It can also be used with great effect if you have problems with energy prodcution in your muscles. This debilitating problem can be caused by many illnesses, such as chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia. Idebenone offers a more effective alternative than many conventional therapies.
Speed up recovery from heart attack or stroke
One of the most frightening and devastating experiences must be suffering from a heart attack or a stroke - even when a full recovery is made.
But such a trauma may also have another unexpected side effect, as tissues become starved of oxygen (Yak Zasshi 2001,121(9):663-669). Low oxygen causes your body's supply of co-enzyme Q10 to become oxidised. In effect this turns this normally helpful nutrient into a source of free radicals itself.
People who take co-enzyme Q10 to treat the symptoms of existing stroke or heart attack (i.e. those who take it after the event has
already happened), may find their symptoms actually worsen. However, this reaction does not happen with Q10's cousin, Idebenone. For reasons that are not entirely clear, Idebenone is not affected by low oxygen supplies. On the contrary, it helps the tissues recover after the oxygen supply has been interrupted (Neurol. 1996,47(2):583-585).
The amazing healing power of Idebenone on the brain
Recent research on the actions of this supplement has uncovered another remarkable benefit of Idebenone. In addition to protecting the mitochondria and energy supply to the brain, Idebenone has another important function in relation to the brain. It stimulates the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). This is a natural chemical that helps nerves grow and develop. It also reduces damage of the nerves after injury and nourishes the nerve cells.
In a clinical experiment performed in Germany (Neuropsychobiology 1997,36(2):73-82), patients with senile dementia were treated with 90 mg of Idebenone a day, for six months. The results showed that the patients experienced a significant improvement of their symptoms, including improved memory, attention span and orientation.
Idebenone was also shown to slow down the natural progression of the dementia. In other words, patients were expected to get worse within a certain period of years, but those who had the Idebenone treatment got worse much slower compared to those who did not take it. Finally, experiments show it to be a better alternative than the conventional drug Tacrine, used against Alzheimer's dementia (Pharmacopsychiatry 2002, 35(1):12-18).
Idebenone
- Idebenone is up to 100 times more effective than vitamin E
- It preserves the small, but very important, amounts of genetic material (DNA) found inside the mitochondria. Damage to this mitochondrial DNA is believed to be one of the primary causes of ageing.
- It is best used together with co-enzyme Q10 for a much more potent action
Warning: Idebenone is best avoided by people who are taking anti-epileptic drugs. As it may interfere with the actions of the drugs and reduce their effectiveness. It is well tolerated with other prescription-only medication. Side effects are rare and mild (Pharmacopsychiatry 2002, 35(1):12-18). Examples are nausea and stomach upset.
The normal dose is 45 mg a day for general anti-ageing protection. For treatment of existing diseases the dose is increased to 45 mg or 90 mg three times a day. Because Idebenone stimulates the production of energy, it makes people 'buzz' with vitality and this may cause problems with sleeping. So, to avoid difficulty in sleeping, it is best to avoid taking it late in the evening or at night.
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