|
NOWCoQ10
ORDER Back to ONLINE CATALOGUE Q & A about CoQ10 What is CoQ10?
Is CoQ10 Safe?
How is CoQ10 Made?
How Pure Is CoQ10?
Is NOW CoQ10 Pharmaceutical Grade?
What is CoQ10 Primarily used for?
What else is CoQ10 Used For?
Is NOW CoQ10 Different Than Others?
Is CoQ10 for Everyone?
Home / About Us / Products- Supplements, Books, Chinese Medicines /
| ||||||||
WHAT IS COQ10?
CoQ10, or Coenzymes Q10, is a vitamin-like substance synthetsized in the body from dietary phenylalanine that is naturally found in most animals and plants. It is also known as ubiquinone, named after "ubiquitous quinone" by its discoverer, R.A.Morton. There are 10 common coenzymes Q's, but coenzyme Q10 is the only one found in human tissue. CoQ10 is an antioxidant and essential part of mitochondria, the source for energy in nearly every cell in your body. This fat-soluble nutrient has been researched since 1957 and is considered by some to be a "conditionally essential vitamin." It is one of the most doctor-recommended nutritional supplements in the U.S. and has been manufactured in Japan since 1974.
IS COQ10 SAFE?
Absolutely. CoQ10 is entirely non-toxic at levels as high as 100 mg/day as several human studies demonstrate. Clinical trials of CoQ10 have been conducted since 1965 when Dr. Yamamura administered 50 mg per day of CoQ10 intravenously for up to seven weeks. Repeated studies prove CoQ10 to be safe and effective at therapeutic doses.
HOW IS COQ10 MADE?
In 1957 CoQ10 was first manufactured by extracting and isolating CoQ10 from beef hearts. In 1960 Karl Folkers synthesized CoQ10 from tobacco leaves. Today, CoQ10 is primarily produced by synthesis/fermentation process. It is the same process used to make Vitamin B-12. Since 1960 Japanese manufacturers have dominated the CoQ10 production and still have dozens of international patents on their methods of manufacture.
HOW PURE IS COQ10?
Each NOW CoQ10 capsule contains 100% pure CoQ10 plus a small amount of natural filler as a synergistic base. While the impression may be that companies use no filler at all in their COQ10 products, the fact is that all CoQ10 products have some sort of filler added. 30mg of CoQ10 will not even fill up half of the smallest (#4) capsules made. And CoQ10 formulated in softgels must have an oil base, usually soybean oil. The CoQ10 used in each NOW product is 100% pure and the highest quality available.
IS NOW COQ PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE?
Every brand of CoQ10, including NOW, is manufactured by pharmaceutical companies as pharmaceutical grade. There are only a few producers in Japan and each standardizes CoQ10 to the same specifications. CoQ10 has been sold as a pharmaceutical product in Japan since 1974 with millions of users every year.
WHAT IS COQ10 PRIMARILY USED FOR?
Although CoQ10 is beneficial in many health aspects, its primary nutritional use is to support energy metabolism. The heart has very high energy demands and very high concentrations of CoQ10. Extensive Japanese research has shown CoQ10 to be an effective dietary supplement with diverse cardiovascular benefits. In 1977, Karl Folkers, Watanabe and Kaji made a critique of the published research regarding CoQ10 from the previous ten years. The numerous Japanese publications were translated into English summaries which included data from 110 physicians and 41 medical institutions in Japan.
As a result of the overwhelmingly positive reports, including 2 clinical double-blind trials, the Japanese Government granted approval in 1974 for CoQ10 to be marketed. The widespread use of CoQ10 by physicians in Japan steadily increased to such a high level that by 1982, CoQ10 became one of the most widely used products by the entire Japanese Pharmaceutical industry.
CoQ10 may also be effective in maintaining healthy blood pressure. Studies by Yamagami (1975, 1986) AND Digiesi (1990) indicated that CoQ10 may be a "significant" adjunct as a dietary supplement.
WHAT ELSE IS COQ10 USED FOR??
CoQ10 may be considered an anti-aging supplement because its levels decline up to 80% in the body as we age. Because CoQ10 declines in the body over time, it is linked to fundamental aging processes and may be a causative factor in aging itself. E.Bliznaker showed that female mice increased their lifespan 56% while under CoQ10 supplementation.
CoQ10 is involved in energy production in all types of people. Without CoQ10, you would not have enough energy to stay alive! Because of the importance of CoQ10 in aerobic energy production, it is quite popular among serious athletes and sports enthusiats.
CoQ10 is a potent antioxidant as demonstrated in 1996 by Mellars and Toppel. Clinical studies by Karlson (1986) Zierz (1989) and others have demonstrated that CoQ10 is a therapeutically efective agent in diseases due to free radical damage. CoQ10 is a free radical scavenger that inhibits lipid peroxidation - a normal compnent of aging in humans that can contribute to many diseases. Numerous studies suggest CoQ10 to be an effective antioxidant that helps to maintain healthy intra-cellular activity. CoQ10 has been compared to vitamin E for its role as an antioxidant in several studies since 1965.
CoQ10 may be helpful in maintaining healthy gum tissue. A 1967 study by Tsunemitso and Matsumura pioneered work on periodontal patients using CoQ10 under diverse conditions with the general conclusion that CoQ10 is of benefit to their patients.
IS NOW COQ10 DIFFERENT THAN OTHERS?
NO. All Coq10 is pharmaceutically produced in Japan to the same specifications. NOW does offer a variety of formulas that may be superior to other HIGHER priced products. Our 60mg CoQ10 contains an excellent synergistic base of 300mg lecithin powder. As a fat, lecithin may help to increase the absorption of CoQ10 and is also a source of phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl serine.
In 1995 and 1996, NOW CoQ10 was rated the 2nd best selling brand in health food store nationwide ( VITY Awards). In 1997, NOW CoQ10 was awarded the FIRST PLACE. We didn't get to where we are by merely being inexpensive. The strength of our repeat business demonstrates a high level of consumer acceptance and satisfaction with our CoQ10 products.
IS COQ10 FOR EVERYONE?
NO. Although CoQ10 is extremely safe and without side effects, two studies raised questions. Patients with cases of Case III and IV cardiomyopathy that withdrew entirely from 100mg daily CoQ10 use were high health risks. We recommend that all individuals with heart diseases consult with their physician or health care practitioner prior to use. The most common potency of CoQ10 in research and on the market is 30mg. To determine the appropriateness of CoQ10 for you, we recommend you seek the advise of your health practitioner.