Coenzyme Q10 is Important for Proper Immune Support

Background Info on CoQ10

Many years ago scientists noticed that practically every cell of the body contained an unknown compound that seemed to be essential in the cell’s energy production system. The scientists named this compound “ubiquinone” because it was so ubiquitous in the body. Later, ubiquinone came to be known as Coenzyme Q10. It was also noted that the organs which require the most energy seemed to contain much higher concentrations of this vital nutrient. These organs included: heart, kidneys, liver and the immune system.

CoQ10 is Not a Vitamin

Because CoQ10 is produced by the body, it is not considered a vitamin. This production seems to wane as we age, it is also negatively impacted by many medications such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and osteoporosis medications. As the body’s CoQ10  levels reach a 25% deficiency,  disease begins to settle in; when a 75% deficiency occurs, you die.

CoQ10 and the Immune System

As we age, the thymus gland, which is charged with the task of managing immune function, begins to decrease in size. This decrease in size has been linked to immune dysfunction and has been closely correlated to a decline in CoQ10 production. When CoQ10 is returned to optimal levels, the thymus appears to become more youthful in appearance and function.

In one study on elderly subjects, a deficiency of coenzyme Q10 was linked to a decrease in the function of natural killer cells; these cells are critical in the fight against viral infection and cancer.  Other studies demonstrated that coenzyme Q10 was important in the function of both T-cells and macrophages—two important classes of immune cell.

As you can see, coenzyme Q10 plays a very important role in a healthy immune response; a deficiency in this vital nutrient can have catastrophic effects on health and vitality.

Prepare Your Body for Vaccinations with Coenzyme Q10

Those who listen to our radio program and read our newsletter know that we are not fans of vaccinations; however, if you are convinced that vaccines are beneficial then you may want to start taking Coenzyme Q10. CoQ10 offers two benefits: First, coenzyme Q10 appears to enhance the body’s ability to build an antibody response to vaccinations. Second, CoQ10 appears to decrease the likelihood of having an exaggerated inflammatory response to something like a vaccine by normalizing a gene signal for inflammation.

Coenzyme Q10 is available as a nutritional supplement. For general health, 100 mg daily is likely sufficient to maintain healthy CoQ10 levels. Some people, such as those who take numerous medications, may require more supplementation to achieve optimal levels. For a discussion on CoQ10 supplementation, see our “Guide to Supplementing with CoQ10” .

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