Research suggests that one of the most significant CoQ10 benefits for the elderly may lie in the treatment and perhaps even prevention of congestive heart failure, one of the most critical age-related illnesses and conditions.
Coenzyme Q10 is a natural vitamin-like substance manufactured by the body itself. Present mainly in the cellular mitochondria, or energy production center, CoQ10 is a key component in the actual energy production process. Though the coenzyme is present in every cell of the body, the organs which require the most energy – the heart, liver, and kidneys – have the highest concentrations of CoQ10.
The coenzyme is also a powerful antioxidant, capable of preventing and even repairing the damage done by free radicals (chemically imbalanced molecules that are produced when cells interact with oxygen), which scavenge and damage the cells with which they interact.
The older we get, the more we need … but the less we produce
Because free radical damage is strongly associated with virtually all age-related diseases and conditions, the antioxidant properties of CoQ10 become increasingly important as we get older. However, the body’s production of the coenzyme has been shown to reach a peak in most people at some time in the early twenties and drops off sharply thereafter; by the mid-40s the body’s production of CoQ10 drops to 70 percent, and to 50 percent at age 80.
Since dietary sources of the coenzyme are limited (oily fish, organ meats, and whole grains), for most older people supplementation is the primary means of maintaining CoQ10 sufficiency.
Studies Link Low CoQ10 To Congestive Heart Failure
Coenzyme Q10 has long been recognized as crucial to the health and efficient operation of the heart and cardiovascular system. More than three decades of research have clearly demonstrated an indisputable link between congestive heart failure – one of the most pervasive and life-threatening conditions among the very elderly – and very low blood levels of the coenzyme.
Congestive heart failure, or the impairment of the heart’s ability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, can arise from a number of causes, ranging from disease processes such as coronary artery disease or thyroid disorders to high blood pressure, heart valve disorders, and even prolonged alcohol abuse.
Though heart failure can happen at any point in life, it becomes increasingly common with age and is a pervasive problem among the elderly; the condition effects about 1% of people 50 years of age, while about 25% of people 85 have some degree of heart failure.
In the US, about 5 million people are diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and about half a million new cases are diagnosed each year. CHF is the most common reason for Medicare patients to be admitted to hospitals.
How CoQ10 Helps Congestive Heart Failure
CoQ10 is believed to increase energy production in the heart muscle. This is supported by studies revealing that most patients with heart failure have measurably lower levels of the coenzyme in their heart muscles, and double-blind research suggests that increasing CoQ10 levels may reduce symptoms including shortness of breath, swelling of limbs, and difficulty sleeping.
Researchers stress that the current concepts of how CoQ10 helps heart failure are limited to a relatively small number of studies and clinical trials, noting that additional research is needed to clearly establish what, if any, role the coenzyme plays in improving the quality of life for CHF patients.
