If asthma is getting you down, it’s possible that increasing your levels of CoQ10 could benefit your breathing as well as your energy and endurance.
Coenzyme Q10 is a natural substance found in the mitochondria of every cell. Its primary function is to assist in the production of energy at the cellular level but it is also a powerful antioxidant capable of neutralizing free radicals, which are chemically unstable molecules formed when the cells interact with oxygen and other substances.
Free radicals scavenge and injure other cells, and the damage they do has been shown to play a large part in a whole host of diseases ranging from cardiovascular problems to metabolic disorders like diabetes and even age-related illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease.
In asthma patients, free radical damage is believed to increase and exacerbate the chronic mucosal tissue inflammation characteristic of the disease. Though research on the link between CoQ10 and asthma is ongoing, preliminary findings appear to not only support this theory, but indicate that raising serum levels of the coenzyme could provide relief to asthma patients.
In numerous studies it has been found that blood levels of the coenzyme tend to be significantly lower in people with asthma. Researchers speculate that sub-optimal concentrations of CoQ10 may very well play a role in the severity of asthma. Small trials have indicated that supplemental dosage of the coenzyme improved the condition.
In addition, researchers have observed a link between low CoQ10 levels and the use of corticosteroid preparations commonly used to treat acute asthma attacks. In a recent open randomized crossover trial, CoQ10 was administered to 41 bronchial asthma patients in conjunction with corticosteroid inhalants for a period of 32 weeks. The results showed that the patients used the inhalants less when they were taking the coenzyme supplements.
Raising the serum levels of the coenzyme could also improve energy and endurance, both of which are commonly adversely effected by asthma. A recent Japanese study showed that as little as a week of regular 300 milligram supplements had a marked positive effect on physical ability during exercise, as well as on the amount of post-exercise fatigue experienced. It was also shown to greatly enhance oxygen utilization and reduce recovery time.