What Are The Body’s “Energy” Generators?

mitochondria

Mitochondria are cellular energy generators that supply virtually all the power you body requires for a healthy life span.  There is an abundance of published studies that underscores the critical importance of the mitochondria to our overall health, especially as we begin to age. Energy-intensive organs like the heart and brain are dense with mitochondria.

Until recently, the only natural ways for aging folks to increase the number of mitochondria in their bodies were long-term calorie restriction or exhaustive physical activity which are hard and impractical for most people to pull off.

 

The enormous amount of energy generated within the mitochondria exposes them to constant free radical attack.  Which results in mitochondrial decay which is  really the a hall-mark of aging.

So how do we combat this mitochondrial decay? CoQ10, coupled with Resveratrol they are  highly potent antioxidants.  The molecular stability of these enable them to facilitate thousands of biochemical reactions in the mitochondria, without breaking down, for maximum antioxidant and bioenergetics support.

When we supplement with CoQ10 and Resveratrol, we are helping to activate genes that promote formation of new mitochondria and beneficially interacts with genes directly involved in our mitochondrial health.  These same genes also support a healthy body weight, normal fat and sugar metabolism and youthful cellular proliferation.

 

Mitochondria possess their own DNA, distinct from the DNA that is contained in the nucleus.  Unfortunately, compared to nuclear  DNA, mitochondrial DNA is relatively unprotected.  CoQ10 and Resveratrol because of  their  antioxidant potency, offers favorable gene expression to support mitochondrial defense.

VITAL PROTECTION FOR THE AGING HEART & BRAIN

heart brain

CoQ10 alone is an essential nutrient, meaning your body needs it to protect and support proper heart and brain function.  A growing body of research indicates that CoQ10’s unique nutritional profile supports heart health and cognitive function.

CoQ10 supports heart cell function in the presence of free radicals and promotes blood flow in the heart muscle.

LOWERS INFLAMMATION COUPLED WITH A Mediterranean Diet.

inflammation

A study described in the Journals of Gerontology Series A revealed that the addition of CoQ10 to a Mediterranean diet lowers a number of indicators of inflammation in older men and women.  Spanish researchers enrolled 10 men and 10 ladies who were not being treated for inflammation or elevated lipids.  The regimens consisted of a Mediterranean diet, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with 200 mg. per day of CoQ10 , and a Western diet containing high amounts of saturated fat.

Consumption of the Mediterranean diet was found to be associated with a reduction in the expression of a number of genes involved in the inflammatory process.

*Authors Jose Lopez-Miranda and colleagues write that, “In healthy humans, plasma oxidative damage may be partially prevented by CoQ10 supplementation, which has been replicated in other populations, like psoriasis and coronary heart disease patients.”

Also, to note that folks who are taking any cholesterol medications, should be supplementing with CoQ10 because these medications will lower the amounts of CoQ10 in their body, which increases oxidative damage especially to the heart muscles.

Keeping our energy levels at healthy production is key as we age, so why not incorporate CoQ10 and Resveratrol into your daily routine?

One of the company’s as a Practitioner that I endorse is Natures Sunshine’s brand of CoQ10,  and Resveratrol; if you are interested, you can go to http://www.harvestedhealth.mynsp.com and begin to improve your mitochondria energy support and function as well as supporting your body’s reduction in inflammation.

Healthfully yours,

Jodi Barnett N.D.

QFA Clinician, Orthomolecular Nutritionist

Harvested Health LLC

*References:

  1. Mitochondrion, 2007 Jun:7Suppl:S103-11.
  2. Mech Ageing Dev. 1978 Mar;7(3):189-97
  3. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1992 Jun;295(2):230-4
  4. Lipids, 1989 Jul:24(7):579-84
  5. Biogerontology. 2002:3(1-2):37-40
  6. Exp Gerontol. 2004 Feb;39(2):189-94
  7. J Biol Chem. 2010 Jan1:285:142-52
  8. Biochimie, 1999 Dec;81(12):1131-2
  9. Lancet. 1989 Mar 25:1(8639):642-5
  10. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2010 Jul7
  11. Age (Dordr). 2010 Mar20
  12. Ageing Res Rev. 2010 Jun 25
  13. Cell Mol Life Sci, 2010 Jun25
  14. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Talpei) 2001 May; 64(5):259-70
  15. J Nutr. 2000 Apr;130(4):719-27
  16. Extrez Gene: PARGC1A Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma, coactivator 1 alpha (Homo sapiens) GenID: 10891
  17. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 1004 Nov;18(6)421-31
  18. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. 2006 Jun: 11(2): 119-28
  19. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2007 Nov 16:363(2): 257-62
  20. FOOD Style. 2009;21:13(7)50-3. (Tokyo)
  21. J Gerontol A Bio Sci Med Sci 2012 Jan;67(1):3-10

 

 

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Published by harvestedhealth

I am a Doctor of Naturopathy, BCHHP; passionate about helping others improve the quality of their health by empowering them with knowledge of how to incorporate a more natural/holistic approach towards better quality of health.

3 thoughts on “What Are The Body’s “Energy” Generators?

  1. Great to see a doctor discussing the benefits of CoQ10! What are your thoughts on choosing a water and fat-soluble form of CoQ10 for better absorption?

    1. Believe it or not I prefer the fat soluble form taken with foods, when a supplement is oil based it is a slower feed into the body which benefits folks with slow metabolic issues, works similar to a time release aspect. Water soluble is not bad, but folks are always looking for ways to do things “ON the run” so to speak, which means not having to actually EAT when they take their supplements which I believe works against them and makes it harder on their bodies to uptake what it needs.

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