As the digestive system breaks down and digests food, your heart beats every minute. Your brain sends a signal every second. Have you ever wondered where all these organs are getting all this energy? Well, if you guessed food, you’re close. But the process of turning the food into useful energy (otherwise called ATP) is a complex one. It’s a process that requires many molecules and complex cellular activities.
Every energy used by any organ to perform its innate function lies within the cell, particularly the mitochondria. Making the energy involves the breakdown of glucose from ingested food to an end product that enters into another complex cycle called the electron transport chain. This cycle, as the name implies, involves the transfer of an electron between intermediate molecules and it’s accompanied by the release of energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate). ATP is otherwise known to be the energy currency within the human body.
Although the release of energy accompanies the breakdown of glucose, most of the energy is produced from the electron transport chain. However, the process of electron transfer will not be possible without the indispensable contribution of a molecule called Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). It is a fat-soluble substance, and so it can pass through the cell to support the transfer of electrons. Energy production occurs in all the cells within your body, and so CoQ10 is present in all of them, which makes it ubiquitous. Hence the name ubiquinone is given to them.
Unfortunately, even though CoQ10 is an important component of the energy-making process, its effectiveness and efficacy don’t stay the same over time. During childhood and old age, the body only produces an ample amount of this substance. Its production peak is during the twenties. However, even though the production of CoQ10 varies with age, the energy requirement of the body does not change. This means the body will need to utilize every means available to produce energy, which could be at the expense of the integrity of your cells.
The best way to compensate for this is through diet. However, the nutrients gained from diet can be hindered based on individual food choice. A lifestyle that depends on fast food will not be able to provide adequate amounts of coq10. However, with the coq10 supplement, you can be sure of getting the exact molecules in the right amount.
Only a few manufacturers focus on coq10 supplements. Therefore you need to make your choice from a reputable source.
One good choice is USANA coquinone. It is a combination of coq10 and alpha-lipoic acid, making it even more effective than coq10 alone. Alpha-lipoic acid directly supports the enzymes that are involved in the conversion of glucose into energy.