Are You Absorbing ENOUGH CoQ10

Are You Absorbing

ENOUGH COQIQ?I n 1983, the Life Extension Fonndation introduced

coenzyme QIO to the United States. The recommendeddose at that time was to take only 10 mg three times a

day. This dose was based on what Japanese doctors werethen prescribing to cardiac patients who derived benefitswith no side effects when taking this quantity of CoQlO.

As more research on CoQlO was conducted, doctorsbegan to use higher doses, with corresponding greater ben-efits. Cardiac patients today typically take 100-300 mg ofCoQlO, while successful studies in Parkinson's patientshave used 360 mg to 1200 mg of CoQlO a day.'" > > >

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The most publicized study onParkinson's patients showed adirect correlation to the dose ofCoQlO and its beneficial effect.This study showed that 300 mg aday yielded only marginal effects,while 1200 mg a day showed anastounding 44% reduction in dis-ease progression eompared to theplacebo group. Parkinson'spatients receiving this high-doseCoQH) also demonstrated animproved ability to perform dailyliving tasks.'

Based on an increasing volumeof published scientific findings,it appears that higher intakeof CoQlO is desirable.'^ Onequestion a consumer would askis whether higher doses areaffordable? A question that newmembers may ask is why CoQlO isso important?

The good news is that a newemulsification technology has beenshown to significantly increaseblood levels of coenzyme QIO com-pared to previous versions. Thismeans that taking 100 mg of thisnew emulsified CoQlO supplementprovides the body with what usedto take a lot more coenzyme QIO toachieve. For those seeking thebenefits of higher doses, this newsupplement provides ultimateabsorption for no more money thanprevious CoQlO supplements.

As far as why it is so importantfor aging humans to supplementwith coenzyme QIO, a succinctdescription of CoQlO's primarymechanism of action appearsbelow.

COQlO AND THEMITOCHONDRIA

For any cell in the body to exist,it must produce its own energy inorder to maintain basic metabolicfunctions such as taking up and uti-lizing nutrients, synthesizing new

proteins and discarding wastematerial. In response to systemiccellular energy deficit, the organ-ism first encounters health disor-ders and will then die.

Without adequate coenzymeQIO, the ability of cells to utilizeenergy substrates declines precipi-tously. The end result is the devel-opment of multiple disorderscharacteristic of normal aging.

About 95% of cellular energy isproduced from structures in the cellcalled mitochondria. The mitochon-dria have been described as thecell's "energy powerhouse" and thediseases of aging are often referredto as "mitochondrial disorders."

Coenzyme QIO is incorporatedinto the mitochondria of cellsthroughout the body where it facili-tates and regulates the transforma-tion of fats and sugars into energy.A large body of scientific evidenceshows that CoQlO's ability restoremitochondrial function has aprofound effect on one's overallhealth."

Heart cells have a high-energydemand, and many clinical studieshave investigated the effect ofCoQlO on cardiac function.Efficacy has been shown in studieswhen CoQlO was used for conges-tive heart failure, coronary arteryocclusion and valvular disorders.'""Scientists have also found thatCoQlO provides benefits to otherorgans whose cells require high-level energy metabolism such asthe brain and kidneys." "

The following highlights from astudy published in the Proceedingsof the National Academy ofSciences ' provides some insight asto how important coenzyme QIO isto the brain:

• The administration of coenzymeQIO to middle-aged and old ratsresulted in the level of CoQlOincreasing by 10% to 40% in thecerebral cortex region of the

brain. This increase was suffi-cient to restore levels of CoQlOto those seen in young animals.

• After two months of CoQlO sup-plementation, mitochondrialenergy expenditure in the brainincreased by 29% compared tothe group not getting CoQlO.The human equivalent dose ofCoQlO to achieve these resultswas 100-200 mg a day.

• When a neuro-toxin was adminis-tered, CoQlO helped protectagainst damage to the striatalregion of the brain wheredopamine is produced. This isthe part of the brain that isafflicted by Parkinson's disease.

• When CoQlO was administeredto rats genetically bred to devel-op amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(Lou Gerhig's disease), a signifi-cant increase in survival time wasobserved.

The conclusion by the scientistswho authored the NationalAcademy of Sciences paper was:

"CoQlO can exert neuroprotectiveeffects that might be useful

in the treatment ofneurodegenerative diseases."

THE STARTLING DECLINEIN COQlO LEVELS

WITH AGING

It is known that the use of "statin"eholesterol-lowering drugs reducecoenzyme QIO synthesis in the body,but the effect of aging on CoQlOdeficiency is much more profound.

For example, findings fromstudies on statin drugs showed anaverage 25% reduction in CoQlO,whereas studies on aging showed anaverage 57% reduction in CoQlOlevels in seven different tissues in thebody. '""- The chart on the next pagereveals the striking CoQlO deficien-cies people suffer as they age.

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TissueAffected

Heart Muscle Wall

P a n c r e a s ' ••• •—•'•••'•

Epidermis (skin)

Kidney

Liver

Heart

Adrenal gland

Percent DecreaseofCoQlO

72%

83%

75%

45%

17%

58%

50%

PublishedStudy

(Biofactors. 1999;9(2-4):291 -9)''

{Lipids. 1989 Jul;24(7);579-84)"

(Biofactors. 1999;9(2-4):371-8.)"

{Lipids. 1989 Jul;24(7);579-84)"

(Lipids. 1989 Jul;24(7):579-84)"

{Lipids. 1989 Jul;24{7):579-84)«

(Lipids. 1989 Jul;24(7):579-84)"

Those afflicted with degenera-tive diseases also demonstrateCoQlO deficiency states rangingfrom 30% in cancer-"^ to 65% inType II diabetes. -

It is clear from multiple pub-lished studies that aging results in asignificant decrease in coenzymeQIO levels throughout the body,which can be restored with orallyingested coenzyme QIO products."These findings make CoQlO one ofthe most important nutrients forpeople over 30 to supplement with.

OBTAINING THE HIGHESTBLOOD LEVELS OF COQIO

It is well established that only acertain percentage of ingestednutrients are actually absorbedinto one' bloodstream. This is nota problem since the suggested dos-ing of supplements is adjusted toreflect the fact that absorption isnot 100%.

When it comes to expensivenutrients like coenzyme QIO. theamount absorbed into your blood-stream is a critical factor. Lowabsorption rates mean moreCoQlO has to be taken to achieveoptimal blood levels.

Scientists have recently discov-ered that higher doses of CoQlOare needed to achieve desired

results. This means consumers arefaced with having to swallow moreexpensive CoQlO capsules toderive maximum benefits.

We are pleased to announcethe discovery of a new emulsiontechnology that dramaticallyincreases the absorption of coen-zyme QIO. Controlled studiesshow that this enhanced emulsionsystem results in almost double theblood levels of CoQlO, but doesnot cost any more than previousCoQlO supplements.

MORE COQIO IN THEBLOOD WITHOUT

HAVING TO SWALLOWMORE CAPSULES

When scientists measure bloodlevels of coenzyme QIO, the unit ofmeasurement is "micrograms permilliliter" of blood, which isexpressed in abbreviated form as"ug/mL". '"•''

Life Extension tested a group ofindividuals who were not takingCoQlO, and their blood levels were0.79 Ug/mL. After four weeksof taking 100 mg of the previousoil-based CoQlO softgel. bloodcoenzyme QIO levels increased38% to 1.09 Ug/mL.

In the group getting 100 mg of thenew emulsified CoQlO supplement.

blood levels shot up 87% to 1.47Ug/mL after only four weeks. Thisincrease represents more than dou-ble the effect (i.e. 87% coenzymeQIO blood increase with the newemulsified softgel versus 38% for theprevious product).

What's more, we tested the newemulsified CoQlO against a veryexpensive coenzyme QIO formula-tion that claims to increase bloodCoQlO levels by six fold after threeweeks. The results showed that thenew emulsified formula performedequally as well as this very expensiveCoQlO formula. We plan to conductmore tests to further validate thesefindings, but the initial study showsthat consumers can now obtain thesuperior-absorbing benefits of a veryexpensive CoQlO supplement at amuch lower cost.

To put this into better perspective,we tested 300 mg of this new emulsi-fied CoQlO supplement on anothergroup of people whose baseline lev-els where 0.66 ug/mL. After fourweeks, the mean coenzyme QIOblood level increased by 336%> to2.22 ug/ml.

The significance of this is that thefirst successful Parkinson's studyfound that it required blood levels of4 Ug/mL of coenzyme QIO to achievemaximum results {44% reduction indisease progression). In order toattain these high blood levels {4Ug/mL), study participants had toeat four oil-emulsified wafers a day,each wafer containing 300 mg ofCoQlO (or 1200 mg a day ofCoQlO). '

Based on our recent findings, ifpeople were to take only 600 mg ofthe new emulsified CoQlO supple-ment, they would attain blood levelsof about 4.44 ug/mL, which is morethan double (on a per milligrambasis) the absorption of the highercost CoQlO wafers.

People taking this new enhancedemulsion supplement attain coen-zyme QIO blood levels that would

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require much higher doses of regu-lar CoQlO products. For the con-sumer, this new emulsified CoQlOformula reduces the "cost perabsorbed milligram" significantly.This means more people can affordto consume the potencies ofCoQlO needed to derive optimalbenefits.

WHAT IS THE IDEALDOSE OF COQlO?

In 1983, the medical literaturestated that 30 mg a day of coenzymeQIO was potent enough to have ther-apeutic benefit in those with existingheart problems.

Sinee 1983, daily doses in excessof 100 mg of CoQlO have been usedto achieve effects in clinical studies ofthose suffering from several differenttypes of heart ailments, kidney fail-ure and neurological disorders.

As people age, their naturalsynthesis of CoQlO slowly declines.When people take "statin" choles-terol lowering drugs, CoQlOsynthesis can be reduced evenfurther. -""'

Based on a consensus of thecurrent scientific literature, it wouldappear wise for aging humans to sup-plement with at least 100 mg of a reg-

ular eoenzyme QIO capsule each day.Higher intakes of CoQlO could pro-duce greater benefits. *'

With the availability of the newhighly absorbable coenzyme QIO, itbecomes much more affordable tosupplement with greater doses. Forthose seeking the higher dosesnow being recommended by more sci-entists, one of the new emulsified 100mg eapsules would provide an efficientand economic method of increasingbkxxl levels of coen^me QIO. There isalso a 200-milligram strength of this newenhanced emulsified CoQlO for thoseseeking maximum blood levels.

REFERENCES

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2. Mortenscn SA. Overview (m a>enzyme Q\{) asadjunctive therapy in chronic heart failure.Rationale, design and end-points of "Q-sym-hitV-—a miiltinationii] trial. Bhfacton. 2003:18(1-4):79-89.

3. Munkholm H, Hansen HH. Coenzyme QIO treat-ment in serious heart failure. Biofacton. 1999:9(2-

4. Stija AM. Mortcnsen SA. [Trcatmenl of chroniccardiac insufRciency with eoenzyme 010. results ofmeta-analysis in amtrolled clinical trials] UgeskrLaq^T. 1997Decl:159(49):7302-8.

5. Mortensen SA, Vadhanavikil S, el id. Uing-tcrmcoenzyme QIO therapy: a major advance in themanagement of resistant myocardial failure. Dnig^E\f}C!uiRes. l985:ll(8):58!-93.

f), MullcrTButtncrT et al. Coenzyme QIO supple-mentation provides mild symptomatic benefit inpatients with ("arkinson's disease. Neiir»sci Lett.2003 May 8:34l(3):2014.

7. Matthews Ri; Yang L ci al. Coenjyme QIOadministration inereases brdin milochondrial ain-eentrdtions and exerts neuroprolective effect-s.Ptvc Nail Acad Sci U S A. 1998 Jul 21;95(15):8892-7.

8. Fblkers K, Simonsen R. Two suecessful douhle-blindtrials witli eoeniyme QIO (vitamin QIO) on muscu-lar dystniphies and neurogcnic atrophies. Bitx:himBu^tlTysAcUi. l995May24:1271(l):2Kl-6.

9. Crane FL BitKjhemical functions of cc>enzymeOlO.JAiriCdlNiUr. 2a)] Dec;2()(6):591-8. '

10. Hofhian-Bang C, Rehnqvist N et al. CoenzymeQIO as !in adjunctive in the treatment of chronicaingestive heart failure. The OH) Study Gniup. JCard hud. 1995 ManU2):101-7.

11. MorLscoC.THmarcoB.etal. Effect of coenzymeQIO therapy in patients with congestive heart fail-ure: a long-tertn multicenter randomized stud>'.CUn hiveslig. 1993:71(8 Suppl):S134^i.

12. Singh RB. Niaz MA. Serum a>ncentration oflipoprotein(ii) decreases on treatment withhydrosoluble coenzyme QIO in patients with txiny-

nary artery disease: dLscoveiy of a new role, bv JCardid. l999Jan:68(l):ll-9.

13. Singh RB. Niiiz MA. et al. Effect of hydrosolubleawnwnie QIO on blood pressures and insulinresistance in hypertensive palicnts with aminaiyartery disease. J Hum Hypenciis. 1999Marl3(3):203-8.

14. Langsjoen H, Langsjoen R et a!. Usefulness ofcoeriOTTie QIO in clinical cardiology: a long-termstudy. Mo/Ai7»-avA/«/. 1994:15 Suppl:sl65-75.

15. Davini A. Cellerini F. et al. [Coenzyme QIO: con-tractile dysfunction of the mytxardial cell andmetabolic therapy] Minen'a Cardioar^ol. 1992Nov:4(Kll):449-53.

16. Naini A, Lewis VJ. Hirano M. et al.Primaiy coen-^me QIO deficiency and the brain. Biofactom.2003;l8(M):145-52.

17. Matthews Ri; Yang L. et iil. Coenzyme QIOadministration increases brain mitochondrial con-centrations and exerts neuroprotective effects.Prvc Nail Acad Sci USA. 1998 Jul 21;95( 15):8892-7.

18. Gazdikovii K, Gvozdjakova A, et al. [Effect ofaxnzyme QIO in pafients with kidney diseases]CcLsLekCesk. 2001 May24:140(IO):3()740.

19. Mortensen SA, Leth A. et al. Dose relateddecrease of serum CoQlO during treatment withHMG-CoA reductase inliibitors. Md Aspect Med1&(S):137-144. 1997.

20. Bargossi AM. Grcssi G. et al. Exogenous CoQlOsupplementation prevents plasma ubiquinonereduction induced b\' the 1 IMG CoA reductaseinhibitors. Mol Aspect Med 15(S): 187-193.1994.

21. Rosenfeldt FL R'pe S. et al. Coenzyme OlOimprttves the tolerance of the senescent myocardi-um to aerobic and Lsehemic stress: studies in ratsand in human atrial tissue.Biofacton. 1999;9(2-4):291-9.

22. Kalen A. Appelk^ist EL, et al. Age-relatedchanges In the lipid aimpositioas of rat andhuman tissues. Lipiih. 1989 Jui:24(7):579-84.

23. Hoppe U. Bergemann J, et al. C(xn2yme QIO. acutaneous antioxidant and energizcr. Biofaciors.1999:9(2-4):371-8. Review.

24. FolkersK,OsterborgA,etal.ActivitiesofvitaminQIO in animal models and a serious deficiency inpatients with cancer. Biochem Biopim ResQ)mimm. 1997 May 19:234 (2):2%-9. Review.

25. Gvozdjakova A. Kuchar>,ka J. et al. Beneficialeffect of OiQlO on the antioxidative stiitus andmetabolism of fats and sugars in diabetic patients.Froc First Conference Inleniat Coett^-me QIOAssoc. pp. 95-97. 1998.

26. Karpinska J. Mikoluc B, et ill. Application ofderivative spectrophotometiy tor determinationof ct>eni^ie QIO in pharmaceutieais and plasma.JFIumnBhmeilAiiat. 1998Sep:17(8):1345-.50.

27. http:/Avyagric.state.wy.us/aslabAvnUerms.hlm ACollection of Water Quality MathematicalExpressioas and Relationsips

28. Personal amtact with Dr. Peter H. Langsj(.x;nTyler. TX 75701-2124

29. Lang^oen PH. Langsjcx;n AM. "rhe clinical use ofHMG CoA-reductase inhibitors iind tlic associat-ed depletion of aienzyme QIO. A review of animaliind human publiaititjns. Biofaciors. 2(X)3:18(14):iOI-ll.

30. Rundek T. Naini A. Sacai R, et al. Atorvastatindecreases the coenzyme QIO level in the blixx) ofpatients al risk for carditivascular disease andstroke. An'h Nciinl 2JKW Jun;f)!(6):889-92.

31. Langsjoen PH. Langsjoen AM. Overview ofthe use of CoQlO in cardiovascular disease.Biofactors.

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