CoQ10 is Not Just for Heart Health

CoQ10 has long been known to help lower your risk of developing heart disease and protect against arterial disease as well. However new research has been exploring the many benefits of CoQ10 for hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetics, Parkinson's, and even fibromyalgia.

So what is CoQ10? Well its a naturally occurring nutrient that is responsible for producing our energy at a cellular level in our mitochondria (the cell's powerhouse for energy production) and is also responsible for reducing oxidation which is the main source of aging. Due to many dietary and genetic factors of Americans, our bodies don't have nearly enough CoQ10 because we don't eat enough in our diet and our bodies lose the ability to convert it to its usable form as we age. Recent research has shown that CoQ10 levels and conversion of ubiquinol to ubiquinone may begin to lower as early as your 20s! CoQ10 supplementation is usually supplied in ubiquinol form which must be converted to ubiquinone before being able to be used in the body, however since we lose this ability with age we need to make sure we are supplementing our diets with the usable ubiquinone formation. AlignLife has reformulated our CoQ10 supplement with the usable form of ubiquinone and will be releasing this product in the next few months.

What does it help with? CoQ10 has been shown to have a high protective effect against heart disease and has also been shown to help keep artery walls flexible. A recent study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Disease found that a combination supplementation of aged garlic extract and CoQ10 for a year showed a 4 fold protection against progression of coronary artery plaquing or atherosclerosis and also helped to lower C-reactive protein. Coronary artery plaquing is the main culprit responsible for heart attack and stroke while C-reactive protein is associated with systemic inflammation in many different diseases. Another study published in Nutrition this year found this same combination effective for artherosclerosis prevention and progression even in fire fighters with high occupational stress levels.

Another recent study looked a fibromyalgia patients and found that CoQ10 levels were lower than normal and could be responsible for mitrochondrial dysfunction. This August 2012 study was published in Nutrition and reported oral supplementation with CoQ10 showed benefits for reducing clinical symptoms of fibromyalgia, restoring mitochondrial function, decreasing oxidative stress, and increased energy production in the mitrochondria. The researchers suggested that CoQ10 supplementation could be an alternative therapy for fibromyalgia!

Parkinson's disease is associated with a progressive disorder of the brain that affects the deterioration and death of nerve cells and also decreased levels of dopamine, an essential neurotransmitter (brain hormone) that is responsible for controlling movement and gut function. Researchers have found protein clumps in the brain, brain stem, and the olfactory nerves of these patients and have been looking into oxidation as a culprit of the progression of this disease. A 2012 study published in the Journal of Neurologic Science found that CoQ10 deficiency was associated with significantly greater odds of developing Parkinson's Disease and should be explored as a potential marker for oxidative stress in patients suffering from this disease. Unfortunately not much research has been done on this interaction, however a review of current literature has  found that there was a small and significant improvement in Parkinson's patients with the use of CoQ10.

Glycemic control is an important factor for diabetics and those suffering from metabolic disorders such as Syndrome X and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). A 2012 study looking at the effects of CoQ10 supplementation has found that supplementation improves glycemic response by improving insulin secretion and there is NO adverse side effects!!

So how much should you take? Well this is a loaded question because depending on what you're using it for the research is suggesting numbers in a large range from 100mg -1200mg/day so I'd highly recommend talking to a doctor that is up to date on the research and would be able to make more personalized suggestions for prevention, protection, or alternative treatments for the above mentioned conditions. In food sources the highest levels of CoQ10 are found in fish, organ meats such as liver, kidney, and heart, and the germ of whole grains, however the content varies based on the diet of those food sources and the way those foods are prepared.

If you'd like schedule a nutritional consultation in the Peoria area to discuss recommendations for your specific needs or have further questions about CoQ10's role in your health, please feel free to call my office at 309-689-6200 to setup an appointment.

Natural Blood Pressure Regulation

High blood pressure or hypertension effects over 65 million Americans. This is a growing problem and many Americans are relying on medication prescribed by their to control their blood pressure. Some of the most common medications being prescribed right now are Chlorthalidone and Propranolol. Some of the side effects associated with these medications include depression, dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness, alteration of heart rate, muscle pain or weakness, and even numbness and tingling. In addition, serious drug interactions can occur if you are taking anti-depressants, heart arrhythmia medications, blood thinners, MAO or ACE inhibitors, steriods, diabetic medications, and many others. Are the risks really worth it?


Are you taking a blood pressure medication right now or have you had your dosage changed in the past 6 months? There's a better way. There are natural methods and lifestyle changes that can help regulate your blood pressure with no associated side effects and you can make these changes today!


1. See a chiropractor.


Treatment of hypertension or high blood pressure with an upper cervical chiropractic adjustment, according to George Bakris, MD of the University of Chicago hypertensive center,  "has the effect of not one, but two blood pressure medications given in combination and it seems to be an adverse-event free treatment. We saw no side effects and no problems." A 2007 study compared the two treatments and found that on average systolic numbers dropped 14 mm and diastolic numbers dropped 8 mm of mercury with upper cervical chiropractic care. Read more about it here.  


2. Talk to your doctor about taking a supplement.


Supplements can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke by lowering dangerously high protein levels like homocysteine and C-reactive protein. These proteins are just as high of a risk as high cholesterol levels and many people either haven't heard of these proteins or have NEVER had their levels checked. Supplements can completely and naturally manage these risk factors with proper guidance from your doctor. 


3. Cut back on coffee and switch to caffeine-free.

Many experts agree that switching to decaf coffee can lower your risk for blood pressure, however new studies have been showing its the amount of coffee you drink and not just the caffeine that has the biggest impact on your blood pressure. Limit your cups of coffee to two per day and switch to decaf. Read more here. 

4. Indulge in anti-oxidants such as those found in dark chocolate.

Researchers have found that the anti-oxidants found in dark chocolate and cocoa has a healthy effect on blood pressure and blood glucose levels as well. The study found that insulin resistance was reduced after 15 days of dark chocolate consumption of 100g or 3.5oz per day. Read more about it.

5. Cut back on sodium.

Doctors have been saying to lower your salt intake for years to help with blood pressure. Listen up! Studies and more research has not proven otherwise and suggest that lower than 1500mg of sodium per day has great blood pressure lowering effects. Read more here.

6. Get to a healthy weight.

Reducing your weight can help decrease the stress and demand on your heart and have other healthy effects as well. It can reduce your risk for many diseases and improve your blood sugar as well. Talk to your doctor about options for reducing your weight and healthy diet tips you can adopt on your own.

Vitamin D Do-Daa!

Let's talk about the infamous sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D! Vitamin D is an important and powerful nutrient in our bodies. It's cool because not only can we get it from the foods we eat but our body can make it with adequate exposure to sunlight. WOW, right?
   
*Note: Sunlight must be in a specific wavelength range in order for our bodies to be able to use it to make    Vitamin D. This range occurs daily in the tropics, however only during the spring and summer months in most of the United States. So during the winter if you don't have a UV light to sit in front of, you must consume Vitamin D to get it in adequate amounts.

So where can you get Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat soluable vitamin, so most of the time it is found in certain fatty foods such as milk, fish, egg, beef liver, cod liver oil, and for vegans in irradiated mushrooms and yeast. There are also many products available in stores that have Vitamin D fortification such as milk or orange juice. However, there are also supplements on the market that come in a variety of amounts, flavors, and even forms. I personally think the D3 liquid drops are the easiest to use, but have heard that many people like the flavored forms as well.
Another way to get some (but not all of your daily intake) Vitamin D is from sunlight exposure, however during the winter months sun exposure isn't in the correct range for Vitamin D benefits. Most people only need 10-30 minutes of sun exposure 2-3 times per week for adequate sun exposure for Vitamin D benefits, however this is with skin exposure with NO sun screen. Alternately, UV lights can be used indoors during the winter months to get your daily intake. If you have a family history or increased risk of skin cancer, you should talk to your doctor first before using sunlight or UV lights as a Vitamin D method.

How much is enough? 
There is a lot of controversy on how much your daily value of Vitamin D should be, due to new research that is showing that Vitamin D has protective effects against cancer and other health conditions and in deficient amounts can exacerbate conditions such as obesity, glucose/insulin dysfunction, and even cause diabetes. The best way to determine if you are getting enough Vitamin D is to have your doctor do a serum blood test for 25- hydroxyvitamin D or 25(OH)D. Levels of 50 ng/mL or 125nmol/L or higher reveal beneficial effects, however current thresholds are outdated with levels at 30ng/mL being adequate. If the standard threshold was raised today, 90% of Americans would be Vitamin D deficient!

Currently the United States Institute of Health (by dietary intake only) recommends the values in the tables below, however many health care and nutritional advocates recommend double to triple that amount for real benefits. Generally speaking, Vitamin D intake needs to increase based on body mass and thus a better guideline might be obtained by using the daily maximum (Tolerable Upper Intake Levels) as an amount not to exceed for your age group. I usually recommend 1000 to 2000 IU/day for most of my patients, however you need to consult your doctor before beginning a regiment.

**The below values were obtained from the Institute of Health, but some medications can cause interactions so consult your doctor before taking any new supplements.

Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for Vitamin D 

Age	Male	Female	Pregnancy	Lactation
0–12 months*	400 IU (10 mcg)	400 IU (10 mcg)
1–13 years	600 IU (15 mcg)	600 IU (15 mcg)
14–18 years	600 IU (15 mcg)	600 IU (15 mcg)	600 IU (15 mcg)	600 IU (15 mcg)
19–50 years	600 IU (15 mcg)	600 IU (15 mcg)	600 IU (15 mcg)	600 IU (15 mcg)
51–70 years	600 IU (15 mcg)	600 IU (15 mcg)
>70 years	800 IU (20 mcg)	800 IU (20 mcg)

* Adequate Intake (AI)

Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for Vitamin D 

Age	Male	Female	Pregnancy	Lactation
0–6 months	1,000 IU (25 mcg)	1,000 IU (25 mcg)
7–12 months	1,500 IU (38 mcg)	1,500 IU (38 mcg)
1–3 years	2,500 IU (63 mcg)	2,500 IU (63 mcg)
4–8 years	3,000 IU (75 mcg)	3,000 IU (75 mcg)
≥9 years	4,000 IU (100 mcg)	4,000 IU (100 mcg)	4,000 IU (100 mcg)	4,000 IU (100 mcg)

Why do I need Vitamin D?
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with higher mortality rates, increased incidence of low bone mass and falls, immune system dysfunction, higher rates of multiple sclerosis, higher rates of certain cancers,  higher rates of vascular disease, higher rates of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and many other health conditions.
Vitamin D is responsible for calcium absorption from the intestine, maintenance of calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, maintenance of bone health and bone cell support, adrenal function and health, cell function and differentiation, immune system support, and many other actions that aren't fully understood by scientists yet. As you can tell, Vitamin D is important to maintain your body's health and function but also to help prevent many health conditions and aging processes.