Tag Archives: Ubiquinol CoQ10 100 mg by Vital Nutrients

Amp Up Your Free Radical Defense With Antioxidants

defence_antioxidentsJacquieIconBy Jacquie Eubanks
BSN, RN

Here’s the caveat: Oxidative reactions are crucial for bodily functions, yet oxidative stress causes damage to cell structure and plays a significant role in the development of chronic inflammation and many age-related chronic diseases. An antioxidant, as defined, is any substance that prevents or repairs the damaging effects of the chemical reaction known as oxidation. Oxygen, of course, is essential to life and the very act of breathing results in the continuous generation of thousands of free radicals, inescapable byproducts of the breakdown of oxygen during normal cell metabolism and energy production. Additionally, we are constantly bombarded with externally generated sources, including environmental pollutants, radiation, cigarette smoke, poor dietary habits, excessive exercise, infections and medications, which all increase free radical production. Even so, not everything about free radicals is destructive.

Free radicals are necessary to several essential metabolic processes, but play a dual role as they are both beneficial and deleterious to health. At low or moderate levels, free radicals have beneficial effects on cell division and hormone production, and support immune function, as the immune system releases free radicals to combat and destroy pathogenic invaders. Conversely, as unstable molecules, free radicals can drastically alter the structure and function of cells, disrupting homeostasis and damaging and interfering with cell membrane functions, protein synthesis and cellular nucleic acids. Their instability is the result of an unpaired electron, which causes them to steal from healthy cells to stabilize themselves. This electron theft turns the formerly healthy cells into free radicals themselves, triggering a domino effect as more and more free radicals are produced.

As there is a limited supply of naturally produced antioxidant enzymes available to cells, the amount of free radicals can exceed the body’s ability to scavenge and neutralize excess and unnecessary free radicals. An overload of free radicals results in the condition known as oxidative stress, essentially an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s ability to combat or neutralize them. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the aging process and the development of chronic and degenerative illnesses, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, cancers and other age-related diseases. Diseased cells, such as cancer cells, are particularly vulnerable to free radical take over.

Antioxidants are essentially electron donors that provide the missing electron to counteract a free radical without becoming destabilized themselves. As antioxidants combat oxidative stress by preventing, reducing and repairing free radical damage, they enhance immune defenses and defy the aging process by lowering the risk of developing age-related degenerative diseases. Aging in itself is not an illness, but it does make the body more vulnerable to disease. Healthy cells use naturally produced antioxidant enzymes as well as those obtained through diet and supplementation to protect themselves against free radical damage. The body’s ability to produce the antioxidants glutathione, ubiquinol and uric acid is influenced by aging, genetics, lifestyle habits and exposure to environmental pollution. When we are constantly exposed to environmental pollutants and don’t make the healthiest diet and lifestyle choices, we put ourselves at a higher risk of oxidative stress and, consequently, illness and disease.

Research suggests that free radical damage has a significant negative influence on aging, and that damage can be controlled with adequate antioxidant defense. Optimal intake of antioxidants may positively impact quality of life and lead to a longer, healthier life span. Along with naturally produced antioxidants, vitamins C and E, phytochemicals, flavonoids and beta-carotene, may be obtained through diet and supplementation, which can help suppress or break the chain of free radical production. As not all free radicals are alike, a variety of antioxidants that work synergistically may provide the most effective defense, which is one of the many reasons why a colorful and varied diet is so important for optimal health.

Professional Supplement Center carries many high quality products for antioxidant supplementation. Here are just a few suggestions for you:

Astaxanthin 4 mgAstaxanthin 4 mg by Pure Encapsulations – This powerful antioxidant supports skin, macula, joint, immune and cardiovascular health. Formulated from Hawaiian microalgae and cultivated under pristine conditions, this product also includes vitamin E for its synergistic effects. Gluten and soy free, Non-GMO, hypoallergenic formula.

Ubiquinol CoQ10 100 mg

Ubiquinol CoQ10 100 mg by Vital Nutrients – This activated CoQ10 offers superior bioavailability, increases cellular energy and naturally supports the cardiovascular system. Contains Non-GMO soy lecithin.

 

Renewal Antioxidants™Renewal Antioxidants™ by Source Naturals – This product provides broad spectrum support for multiple body systems and includes a wide range of free radical protection for cells and tissues. Contains wheat and soy.

 

Supercritical AntioxidantsSupercritical Antioxidants by New Chapter – This patented formula delivers multiple, concentrated, carefully selected, synergistic natural herbs that promote cell protection and serve as a proactive approach to healthy aging. Gluten free, Non-GMO formula.

References:
Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/
Antioxidants. Balch, Phyllis A., CNC: Prescription for Nutritional Healing. The Penguin Group, 2010.
Free Radicals, Antioxidants in Disease and Health. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614697/
Online Resources for Disorders Caused by Oxidative Stress. http://www.oxidativestressresource.org/

Ubiquinol

UbiquinolJacquieIconBy Jacquie Eubanks
BSN, RN
 
 Many of us may have heard of the energy-producing antioxidant Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which is naturally found in all bodily cells.  Less well known may be ubiquinol, the non-oxidized, electron-rich, active form of CoQ10 that has powerful antioxidant potential.  Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and help prevent cellular damage that can lead to cancer, heart disease and a host of chronic age-related diseases.  Free radicals, which are unstable electron deficient cells, are the result of normal metabolism, cellular respiration and energy production.  The body naturally produces and circulates antioxidant enzymes to control the destruction of healthy cells by free radicals, which seek to steal electrons.  However, free radicals that are produced as a biological response to exposure to environmental toxins, chemicals, cigarette smoke, statin medications and sun exposure challenge the body’s ability to control oxidative stress.  Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals outnumber antioxidant defenses, leaving us more susceptible to the deleterious effects of aging.   
 
Ubiquinol is the biologically active “reduced” form of CoQ10 that your body utilizes for important biochemical functions, including the maintenance of cardiovascular health.  In this case, “reduced” means that it has two extra electrons that can be donated to free radicals, effectively rendering them harmless.  Extensive research shows that when we are younger than 30 years old, the body easily converts CoQ10 to ubiquinol.  As we age, it becomes increasingly challenging for the body to produce CoQ10 and make the conversion to ubiquinol, resulting in less efficient cellular energy production and the development of acute and chronic disease.  After age 40, ubiquinol is a more effectively absorbed form of CoQ10.  Ubiquinol supplementation has been shown to be beneficial for raising the blood levels of a reduced and potentially more potent and active form of CoQ10. 
 
Eating healthy whole foods, especially fruits and vegetables that contain the antioxidant vitamins C and E, carotenoids and phytonutrients, increases the body’s ability to neutralize free radical damage.  Some of the best food sources of CoQ10 are the sulfurous vegetables broccoli and cauliflower, nuts and seeds, oily fish and meats.  A typical American diet generally provides 10 mg of CoQ10, nowhere near the recommended daily amount of 30 to 200 mg daily.  Supplementation has been shown to be beneficial in preventing oxidative stress and supporting optimal function of the heart muscle, the health of high energy organs (heart, brain, kidneys and liver), the maintenance of normal LDL cholesterol levels, cellular energy production and cardiovascular health. 
 
Ubiquinol-QH 100 mg by Pure Encapsulations provides a readily available active state of CoQ10 suitable for older individuals that may need greater levels of antioxidant support. 
 
Ubiquinol-QH (201899) by Douglas Laboratories provides 100 mg of the biologically reduced form of CoQ10 along with vitamin E. 
 
Ubiquinol CoQ10  100 mg by Vital Nutrients offers 100 mg of activated CoQ10 for superior bioavailability.
 
UBQH™Ubiquinol 100 mg by Integrative Therapeutics provides active form, reduced CoQ10 for cellular energy and overall wellness support.