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Age-Related Decline In CoQ10: A Major Factor Early Heart Disease And High Blood Pressure

James Meschino DC, MS, ROHP
Research indicates that our bodies can make ample quantities of Coenzyme Q10 up to 45-50 years of age, after which Coenzyme Q10 production begins to drop off. Coenzyme Q10 is required by the heart muscle (myocardium) to generate the energy necessary for the heart pump to work efficiently. With the decline in Coenzyme Q10 levels that accompanies the normal aging process the heart muscle is more prone to become weaker, which can lead to heart failure and a worsening of other existing heart and cardiovascular conditions, including angina.

The decline in CoQ10 is also associated with a rise in blood pressure. Very impressively, supplementation with CoQ10 and Hawthorn, have shown a reversal of high blood pressure as well as certain types of heart disease, in many studies. But the trick is to prevent these problems in the first place by supplementing with CoQ10 and Hawthorn beginning at age 45.

Both genetic and lifestyle factors are known to influence the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure; which is a primary risk factor for heart attack and stroke. In addition to known risk factors for heart disease such as high blood cholesterol levels, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, family history etc., research studies have recently revealed that a decline in the synthesis of a vitamin-like substance known as Coenzyme Q10 as we age, also appears to significantly increase the risk of heart failure and heart disease

Coenzyme Q10 Studies
Remarkably, a large number of studies conducted on patients with congestive heart failure and other cardiovascular conditions (e.g., angina) have demonstrated that Coenzyme Q10 supplementation can strengthen the heart muscle and reverse or help stabilize many important cardiovascular problems. Due to the dramatic effects seen in these cases many experts now suggest that all individuals should begin taking Coenzyme Q10 as a daily supplement by age 45-50, as a preventive measure.

Rather than waiting for the age-related decline in Coenzyme Q10 to weaken the heart, holistic practitioners recommend taking 30 mg of Coenzyme Q10 per day by age 50, and 60 mg per day by age 60, as an anti-aging intervention to help maintain more youthful heart function and reduce risk of heart failure and related heart diseases as we age.

Coenzyme Q10 is also a potent antioxidant, which has also been shown to be important in preserving cardiovascular health and slowing of the aging process. Unfortunately there are no good food sources of Coenzyme Q10 that are sufficient enough to compensate for the decline in synthesis we experience as we age.

Thus, Coenzyme Q10 supplementation remains the only viable approach to ensuring optimal Coenzyme Q10 status after the age of 45. Due to its vital role in heart energy production this consideration should be taken seriously by anyone 45 years and older, who is interested in preserving their cardiovascular health.

Hawthorn For The Heart
Like Coenzyme Q10, the standardized extract of the hawthorn plant also increases heart energy production and has been used successfully in many studies to treat heart failure, high blood pressure and angina in well-designed clinical trials. The hawthorn plant contains a special arrangement of flavonoids (anthocyanidins), which help to increase cyclic AMP within heart muscle.

In order for the heart muscle to generate the necessary energy to sustain its pumping action, cyclic AMP must first be synthesized and then converted to ADP. Then, with the help of Coenzyme Q10, ADP is converted to ATP, which provides the source of fuel required for the heart muscle to keep beating. Any decline in cyclic AMP or ATP ultimately results in a weaker heart and predisposes to other heart problems, which may include angina and high blood pressure.

Thus, Coenzyme Q10 and Hawthorn work synergistically to optimize the heart’s energy system, helping to prevent the age-related decline in heart function as we age, and act as companion nutrients in the nutritional management of a number of heart and high blood pressure problems.

In regards to hawthorn it is vital to use a standardized grade of this plant that yields 5% flavonoid content (approximately 1.5% vitexin flavonoid), in order to derive sufficient amounts of its bioactive agent. As a general rule, every 30 mg of Coenzyme Q10 should be accompanied by an intake of 35-40 mg of hawthorn (std to 5% flavonoid content) as an anti-aging intervention and when used in the nutritional management of various cardiovascular conditions.

High Blood Pressure
A number of studies demonstrate that Coenzyme Q10 and Hawthorn supplementation can also be effective in reducing high blood pressure, presumably by helping to correct an underlying defect in the heart’s energetic system and relaxing blood vessel resistance to permit easier blood flow.  Doses of 60 mg of Coenzyme Q10 taken twice per day (and closely related doses) have been used successfully to lower high blood pressure. For hawthorn, doses as low as 75 mg taken twice per day have also been effective in reducing high blood pressure. Once again, their synergistic effects on enhancing the heart’s energy production make them a great combination to use in the nutritional management of high blood pressure cases.

Maximizing Your Defense Against Heart Disease
To help defend yourself against heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure, it is advisable to eat less saturated fat and more soluble dietary fiber, keep your cholesterol in the safe range, attain your ideal weight, don’t smoke and stay fit. In addition to this lifestyle advice you should consider taking a high potency multiple vitamin and mineral supplement each day that is enriched with antioxidants (e.g., Vitamin E Succinate 400 IU, Vitamin C 1000 mg) and a B-50 complex throughout all of adult life.

After age 45-50 you should strongly consider taking a supplement that combines the appropriate doses of Coenzyme Q10 and Hawthorn to help offset the age-related decline in heart muscle strength and function that is associated with heart failure and other serious cardiovascular diseases. In this case an ounce of prevention is very likely to be more important than a pound of cure.

High Blood Pressure

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