Our body consists of 36 trillion cells. Each cell is a complete housing unit with its own kitchen corner and toilet system.
The Kitchen inside our cell is known as Mitochondria. Whatever food we take is burnt down into energy and packaged into ATP inside the mitochondria. ATP is the currency of Life.
One of the fuel used by the mitochondria for cooking is known as Coenzyme Q 10 ( CoQ 10 ).
Coenzyme Q, a neutraceurical is an essential item for the functioning of mitochondria. It is abundantly found in young children. As we age, the level of CoQ falls in various tissues. When the level of CoQ is low in brain, the mitochondria inside our brain cells fail to generate sufficient energy. As a result, their performance is slowed down. This reflects as old age dementia.
When the level of CoQ 10 falls inside our heart cells, the energy production of heart cells is compromised and the pumping action of heart fails. Swelling of feet occurs.
Today, CoQ 10 is an important supplement in the treatment of heart failure and one of the main stay in the treatment of old age dementia.
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Ubiquinol:
CoQ is chemically a quinone compound. It is present in each cell wherever a mitochondria is operating. Since CoQ 10 was ubiquitously present, it was called Ubiquinone before we could decipher its activities. .
The mitochondria theory of aging.
Mitochondria is an alien. It has 37 genes which are totally different from the 23 pair of chromosomes that is placed inside our nucleus. Unlike our genes which have a robust repairing mechanism and a Z plus security, these 37 genes are orphans. They rapidly mutate and degenerate with advancement of age. Our CoQ 10 level also falls with old age. At advanced ages, mitochondria working inside our brain, heart, pancreas etc fail to generate energy. This is the recent theory of Aging.
Statin and CoQ 10
Statins ( Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin) are a very popular cholesterol lowering drugs. They also inadvertently lower the CoQ 10 level. Because the production mechanism of both cholesterol and CoQ 10 is same inside our body. Therefore, people who are taking statin over prolonged period feel unusually tired and lack vitality after few years.
Today a cocktail of CoQ 10, ALA and Carnitine all of which help in the energy production inside mitochondria is being promoted as the perfect anti aging mixture. Only time will tell their efficacy.
In memory the proverbial king Yayati of the Mahabharata who was blessed with youth for a short time after he has reached old age, CoQ 10 can be termed as the Yayati molecule.
Dietary Source:
Liver, organ meat, fish and germinating seeds are rich source of CoQ 10
More about mitochondria in my blog
“ The Mitochondria Story.”
Dr Ramakanta's Ideas 