Is there a CoQ10 and cholesterol connection? Science says yes, and research shows that coenzyme Q10 can enhance heart health by helping to prevent cholesterol-related buildup in the circulatory system.
Understanding Cholesterol
It’s easy to think of cholesterol as a cardiovascular villain, but in reality it’s a perfectly natural substance that’s essential to every cell in our bodies. It’s a waxy, fat-like compound that’s crucial to building and maintaining strong cell walls. It’s also important to the production of essential hormones and plays a role in the digestive process.
Cholesterol is naturally manufactured by the liver, but is also present in animal-based foods including meats, eggs, and dairy products. It only becomes a problem when excess amounts of it are present in the body. This can be caused by a number of factors, but the leading one is dietary intake of high-fat animal-based foods.
HDL, LDL, and CoQ10
Cholesterol is transported through the bloodstream via molecules called lipoproteins, which are complex particles made up of varying ratios of fats (lipids) and protein. LDL or “bad cholesterol” is carried by low density lipoproteins. When levels of LDL cholesterol exceed the body’s demand for it, the excess LDL molecules can oxidize and contribute to the formation of atherosclerosis, the potentially deadly buildup of plaque in the blood vessels.
HDL or “good cholesterol” is carried by high density lipoproteins that transport excess LDL molecules back to the liver, where it is synthesized as bile or moved into the intestines for excretion. Extensive research has proven that high levels of HDL cholesterol correlates strongly with positive health outcomes, particularly in regard to cardiovascular health.
The connection between CoQ10 and cholesterol is a complex one. Coenzyme Q10, a natural vitamin-like substance found in every cell, doesn’t actually lower LDL levels or increase the levels of HDL but it can nevertheless play an important role in cholesterol management. Because it is a powerful antioxidant, coenzyme Q10 helps keep LDL molecules from oxidizing and creating the buildup of cholesterol that eventually leads to atherosclerosis. Studies show that people with high LDL cholesterol counts tend to have low blood levels of CoQ10.
CoQ10, Statins, and Heart Health
In addition, commonly-prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins appear to deplete natural levels of CoQ10 in the body. Since CoQ10 is essential to the production of energy at the cellular level and is particularly crucial to heart function, depletion of the coenzyme can have serious health consequences.
A growing body of research indicates that CoQ10 sufficiency is absolutely essential to overall health, and is of particular benefit to the efficient working of the heart and circulatory system. The importance of the coenzyme has been recognized in Canada, where statins must carry a warning label stating that they may seriously deplete levels of CoQ10. Though no such warning is required in the US, many experts advocate CoQ10 supplementation for patients on statin therapy.
