CoQ10 is used in the production of energy within each and every cell. It plays two important roles, serving both as an energy producing catalyst and as a powerful antioxidant.
How Cells produce Energy
Cells produce energy by combining fats and carbohydrates with oxygen. This takes place in a part of each cell known as the mitochondria, and the actual biochemical reactions that produce energy occur along electron transport chains within the mitochondria.
The energy produced by these chemical reactions is converted to chemical energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP molecules. ATP is the source of energy the body relies on for all its inner workings, and it also represents the reserve energy in your muscles.
CoQ10 serves a unique function in this process. Because it is fat-soluable, CoQ10 is mobile within the cellular membrane and it serves as a "messenger link". Each pair of electrons in the transport chain must first interact with CoQ10, which provides the "spark" for the chemical reactions that make up the energy-producing process.
Without CoQ10, there is no "spark" to trigger the biochemical reactions that lead to the production of energy, and no ATP is produced. The body only stores enough ATP to sustain vigorous activity for a few minutes at a time, so ATP must be produced constantly. And in order for this to happen, there must be an adequate supply of CoQ10 to keep production going.
CoQ10 as Antioxidant
Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that can counteract the damaging effects of the physiological process of oxidation in animal tissue.
Oxidation damage occurs when free radicals are involved. Free radicals are chemically active atoms or molecular fragments that have one or more unpaired electrons. This makes them very unstable and they will try to even out their electron pairs by either taking electrons from or donating electrons to other substances.
Free radicals scavenge the body in the effort to give or take electrons and can create massive cellular damage in the process.
An antioxidant is a substance which gives up electrons easily, and thus can function to neutralize free radicals and prevent them from damaging cells. As an energy carrier, CoQ10's molecular structure makes it an ideal antioxidant. It is constantly going through a cycle of oxidation and reduction, during which it easily gives up one or both electrons and is an effective free radical neutralizer.
Both Functions Crucial to Health
CoQ10's benefits in disease treatment and prevention as well as antiaging stem from both its role in cell energy production and from it's powerful antioxidant qualities.
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