Posts Tagged Supplements (vitamins)

… it seems that the first argument is always the same, “All that you are doing with nutritional supplements is making expensive urine.” This argument comes from the point that any excess of …

It was then suggested that many diseases were a consequence of accumulated free radical damage. The result of this damage was dysfunction in the organs. This can be likened to targeting a car with a gun, it is unlikely that one bullet would stop the car but if we riddled the car with bullets, it would ultimately stop working. This theory infatuated scientists and they began testing it .. .

Initial studies, performed with animals and in test-tubes, confirmed the theory. Then came the human studies and results were hot and cold, some studies lending support and others calling the theory into question. You have likely read articles in the newspaper with titles like “Vitamin C Causes Cancer” or “Vitamin E Useless for Preventing Heart Disease”. Although these studies were horribly flawed and the findings nothing more than statistical lies, they nonetheless caused doctors and the public to question the benefits of antioxidants.…

So what do we make of these inconsistent results?

First, it is important to realize that the story about antioxidants and free radicals is a complex one. I have decided to use this article to describe how I have utilized the free radical theory to enhance my own lifestyle and supplement program rather than debate the theory itself. I believe that the free radical theory of aging does provide us valuable insight into the disease process, however, I also feel that our understanding of how to fully use antioxidants is incomplete at best. So here are my personal beliefs based on the data we have to date:

Food is my foundation. This is one of the few areas where I agree with the conventional stance on nutrition. Supplementation should be used to SUPPLEMENT your diet, not replace it. When you look at any particular food it can be placed into two main categories; processed and unprocessed food. Making unprocessed food a big part of your diet will play a huge role in determining whether or not free radicals run rampant in your body.

Fortified food is NOT the same as foods naturally high in nutrition. In nature, vitamins are much more complex compounds than those we fortify food with. For example, food source vitamin C is actually a combination of numerous compounds including bioflavonoids which are encased in a protective shell which we call ascorbic acid. The ascorbic acid is the antioxidant protection for the full vitamin C molecule, but when we fortify food with “vitamin C”, in fact, we are only fortifying it with the protective shell of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Now, ascorbic acid does benefit the body, but it is not nearly as beneficial as the vitamin C molecule found in an orange, pepper or kiwi.

The goal is not to completely eradicate free radicals from the body. Free radicals, when left unchecked, appear to damage the cells and do appear to play a significant role in the formation of disease. This does not mean, however, that free radicals do not play an important role in the human body. In fact, free radicals are used by immune cells to destroy offending bacteria, viruses and cancer cells. In addition, free radicals are your cell’s barbells for keeping in shape. Last year, scientists discovered that when ascorbic acid was given in high doses before intense exercise free radicals were significantly decreased. This sounds like a good thing, however, the eradication of the free radicals decreased the ability of the cell to produce mitochondria. The mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell and one of the positive consequences of exercise is an increase in the number and size of the mitochondria found in the cells. The increase in these cellular engines is partially responsible for the increase in energy and vitality associated with exercise. Loading the body with too many antioxidants appeared to inhibit the process of mitochondria production. Why does this happen? Free radicals seem to give feedback to the cell that more energy producing mitochondria are needed because free radicals are an indication that your body is using more oxygen! The goal is to provide the body with sufficient antioxidants to defend the cell rather than trying to mount a massive offensive.

Antioxidant Supplements, the secret is getting enough but not too much. People who are familiar with our work know that it is rare that we recommend high doses of vitamin E or selenium or vitamin C without discussing the importance of balance. No vitamin or antioxidant exists in a vacuum, in fact, our body is a nutrient and antioxidant soup full of thousands of different antioxidants, enzymes and nutrients all commissioned with the job of protecting us from disease. I just do not believe that throwing huge doses of one antioxidant into this complex nutrient soup is going to result in any significant gain for the whole body. This is why research on vitamin E has been so disappointing. Vitamin E itself is not made up of one compound but MANY! All of which play a role in the body, just because we may not fully understand that role does not mean it is not important. So here are the secrets to antioxidants: First rely on food for your foundation as previously discussed. Second, supplement with a balanced multi-vitamin formula such as Nutrient 950. Third, get antioxidant protection from whole food and herbal supplements…

The formula that I personally use as my antioxidant formula is called Botanical Treasures by Natura Health Products. This product combines a number of herbal and food based ingredients such as: turmeric, green tea, grape seed extract, knotweed, grape skin, ginger, holy basil, amla and rosemary. All of these herbs contain hundreds or thousands of nutrients and antioxidant compounds that work in unison to protect the whole body. In addition, many of these compounds provide other powerful benefits to the body such as normalizing the inflammatory response, normalizing cell division, activating genes known to protect the cell from aging, etc. By taking whole food based antioxidant formulas I feel that it is nearly impossible to over saturate the system with antioxidants because the body treats these compounds as food. This means that the body has some say as to what is absorbed and utilized.

To summarize, the free radical theory of aging gives us great insight into one path by which disease is potentiated in the body and aging is promoted. Much more research is needed to determine how best to utilize this understanding. In the mean time, eating good raw and unprocessed fruits and vegetables and supplementing with whole food antioxidants is likely to provide our bodies with sufficient defense against the ravages of free radicals.

Lauricidin is a naturally occurring lipid (fat) that has been purified from coconut oil so as to increase the therapeutic benefits. This monoglyceride, called monolaurin, appears to disrupt the outer coating of pathogenic organisms, such as, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Monolaurin is naturally found in breast milk and may be considered nature’s first antibiotic!

What Is Lauricidin Used For?

Known as the original monolaurin supplement, discovered by Dr. Jon Kabara, Lauricidin has been used by health care practitioners for its potent anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal benefits. Lauricidin appears to offer unique benefits over conventional antibiotics due to:

1. Broad-spectrum effects – It appears to be effective against many different strains of bacteria, fungi, and even viral infections.
2. Fewer Side-Effects – Generally, Lauricidin is well tolerated, with no serious side effects reported.
3. Considered Non-Toxic and safe
4. Inexpensive in comparison to many conventional antibiotics
5. Does not interact with most medications

Lauricidin Side Effects

You may be wondering, “What is Lauricidin ‘s safety record?” Lauricidin, which contains monolaurin, is so safe that the FDA considers it GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe), which places Lauricidin on the FDA’s list of non-toxic substances.

What Is Lauricidin Detox?

Even though Lauricidin is considered non-toxic and most people tolerate the lauricidin quite well, you can occasionally develop a reaction called a “die-off effect”. A die-off effect, also called a Herxheimer Reaction, occurs when yeast and other pathogens are being killed by the monolaurin. As these bacteria, yeast, and/or viruses die, they can release toxins into the body that may result in flu-like, acne-like, allergy-like symptoms, such as: fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache, skin erruptions, etc. Although these die-off side effects can be felt by some, even at low doses, these symptoms can be improved by starting with a low dose of Lauricidin and slowly increasing the dose of lauricidin over weeks to months. This allows the body time to acclimate and detox. Many patients have also found that drinking plenty of water while supplementing with lauricidin also decreases the severity of the die-off effect.

The Lauricidin Detox Reaction is normally self-limiting and will improve over time, however, if the symptoms become overwhelming, simply give the body a break and then restart at a much lower dose.

What is the Best Way to Use Lauricidin?

Lauricidin comes in a jar full of pearls/pellets that are taken via a provided scoop.

Using the scoop, you can dose in very small amounts and slowly increase the dose as you determine how well you tolerate it. Adults will usually start with ¼ of a scoop or less two to three times daily and can slowly increase the dose up to 1 full scoop three times daily. For stubborn infections, some health care providers will further increase the dose until benefits are noted. Don’t be afraid to start with a few pellets and work the dose up as you get some personal experience with it.

Children, 3-10 years of age, can start with 1-3 pellets (NOT SCOOPS) for a few days before gradually increasing the dose. After this initial trial, you can increase to 1-3 pellets twice daily and then thrice daily over a couple of weeks.

Do’s & Don’ts of Lauricidin Use

1. Never chew Lauricidin Tablets
2. Drink cold liquids when taking Lauricidin pellets as hot liquids will melt them prematurely.
3. Dose according to your response, some will need more and some will need less than the recommendations provided above

Lauricidin can be purchased through the Illness Is Optional Online Store.

Disclaimer: “What Is Lauricidin” article is not meant to diagnose, treat, or prevent any illness. For further discussion on “What Is Lauricidin“check out this article from eHow.

Some health experts claim that nutrient deficiencies are a thing of the past and supplementation is unnecessary in today’s day and age…they are dangerously mistaken!

In fact nutrient deficiencies are quite common, and such deficiencies are the direct cause of many health problems that result in hospitalization and even death.

One such nutritional deficiency is potassium and in today’s article, we will talk about the benefits of potassium supplementation as well as the daily potassium requirements for optimal health. Published research shows that potassium deficiency can be a direct or indirect cause of many health problems, including:

• Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart beat)
• High blood pressure
• Fatigue and muscle weakness
• Constipation

Benefits of Potassium

Potassium can be an important part of any supplement program. Studies have shown that potassium supplementation can result in significant decreases in blood pressure, improvements in constipation, decreases in cardiac arrhythmias, and improvement in fatigue and muscle weakness.

Daily Potassium Requirements

The majority of your potassium should come from your diet; supplementation should be used as a means of optimizing your dietary potassium intake. I recommend reading the article on the Benefits of Potassium for a discussion of dietary potassium from the perspective of our evolutionary history. Although the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of potassium is 4.7 grams (4700 mg), our Paleolithic ancestors consumed between 10-15 grams per day from fruits and vegetables!

For most healthy people, taking up to 1,000-2,000 mg of potassium daily in supplement form should be very safe (depending on diet). If you are on medications, such as loop diuretics or ACE Inhibitors, or suffer with heart or kidney disease, check with a health care provider prior to supplementing with potassium.

The Potassium Supplement That I Recommend

K+2 Potassium is a high potency potassium formula that provides 300 mg of potassium per capsule. In addition to providing 300 mg of potassium per capsule, this formula provides two impressive forms of potassium…

Potassium glycinate is a chelated form of potassium that mimics food sourced potassium in absorption and utilization.

Potassium bicarbonate provides a source of bicarbonate, which helps to alkalinize the body. This advanced combination makes this one of the most potent and powerful potassium supplements on the market. This form would be especially good for people who have bone loss and/or those who eat a high meat diet.

As an alternative, Potassium Amino Acid Complex by Your Prescription for Health is an inexpensive and high-quality form of chelated potassium. Each tablet provides 99 mg of potassium in a form that mimics potassium found in food. Potassium chelate by Your Prescription for Health is considered the most cost-effective form of potassium. The only negative to this potassium supplement is it is limited to 99 mg per tablet.

Summary:

As I mentioned in the article, Benefits of Potassium, we are designed to consume far more than the ridiculously low amounts suggested by the RDA. So if you are a healthy person, with normal kidney function and currently not taking any medications for blood pressure or heart problems, eat as much potassium as you can from fruit and vegetable sources. If you have difficulty getting large quantities of fruits and vegetables, try 4-6 capsules of K+2 Potassium by Designs for Health.

The study was done based on observational studies suggesting that plasma homocysteine concentrations are inversely related to cognitive function in elderly people: certain B-vitamins are needed to prevent the level of homocysteine from increasing, and high homocysteine has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and dementia.

This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial with 276 healthy participants, 65 years old or older, with plasma Homocysteine concentrations of at least 13 mcg/L.

The daily supplements the participants received were folate (1000mcg), B12 (500mcg), and B6 (10mg). Cognition tests were performed at baseline, after 1 year, and after 2 years. The decrease in Hcy during the treatment was significant, but there were no significant differences between the vitamin and placebo groups in the cognition tests.

Dr. Ray Hinish’s Comments:

These results do not surprise me. Observational research has shown clear correlations with high homocysteine and an increased risk of cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Homocysteine is certainly not the only cause of cognitive decline, however, it likely does speed the progression. This effect likely occurs from many years of chronically elevated homocysteine and its slow poisoning effect on the body. Lowering homocysteine is not likely to benefit someone’s brain significantly over a 1-2 year period, but likely plays more of a role over 10-20 years. This is why these results do not surprise me. My fear is that the press will get a hold of this research and publish more junk about how B vitamins and lowering homocsyteine has no benefit to the body. Don’t buy into this ignorant view! Homocysteine is likely one important factor in the progression and development of many diseases including heart disease and dementia. It is not the ONLY cause to these conditions. Keep homocysteine in a healthy 5-7 range and score one more point for optimal health.

In this article, I hope to prove to you the importance of vitamin K in your diet and supplements.
First, it is important to note that vitamin K exists as two main forms; vitamin K1 and K2. Vitamin K1, called phylloquinone, comes from vegetables and is converted into vitamin K2 by intestinal bacteria. Vitamin K2 is the activated form of vitamin K and is found in organ meats, egg yolks and some fermented foods such as natto. We get much more vitamin K1 in the diet then we do vitamin K2.
In the body, vitamin K activates two enzymes: osteocalcin and matrix GLA-protein. I realize that those two words may be Greek to you but they are important to know because they have two different impacts on the body. When vitamin K activates osteocalcin, the result is more calcium and minerals get deposited into the bones resulting in stronger bones. When vitamin K activates matrix GLA-protein the result is less calcium is deposited into the arteries. Some research suggests that matrix GLA-protein may even decrease the calcifications of the arteries that are already present . Now that you know how important these two enzymes are to the body you can see how devastating a vitamin K deficiency can be. In addition, it should be noted that vitamin K2 is much more active in the body and is the only form that can activated these two critical enzymes.

Why are we deficient in vitamin K?

This deficiency likely occurs for three main reasons.

1. We don’t eat enough vegetables. Most vitamin K in the diet comes for plant sources in the form of vitamin K1. The vitamin K1 is then activated by intestinal flora and absorbed as K2.

2. Our intestinal bacteria are out of balance. Many of us are deficient in healthy bacteria that play important roles in the conversion of vitamin K1 into the active K2. Many things can decrease the number of healthy bacteria in the gut such as: antibiotics, chlorine, stress, etc.

3. We do not eat organ meats, fermented foods or egg yolks. These foods are the primary sources of vitamin K2.

Knowing that both factors are important in the maintaining healthy vitamin K levels, you can see that it is important to get more vitamin K in the diet and to make sure that your intestinal bacteria are in good balance.

How do we do this?

In our society, I believe that it is necessary to supplement with vitamin K in order to optimize the vitamin K levels in the body. You can find vitamin K supplements in both the K1 and K2 form. It is generally recommended that you opt for the vitamin K2 as the research confirms that it is far superior for the prevention of bone loss and the protection from artery calcification. If you are generally healthy, I recommend a low-dose vitamin K2 from Jarrow formulas called MK-7 which provides 90 mcg of vitamin K2 from natto. This is a small dose that meets your daily vitamin K needs which may suffice to maintain healthy bones and arteries. If you suffer with bone loss or calcification of the arteries I recommend a therapeutic dose of 15 mg (15,000 mcg) three times daily. This dose has been studied and proven to be safe and effective for improving bone loss while normalizing carboxylation to activate the osteocalcin and matrix GLA-protein. You do not need to worry that vitamin K will cause excessive clotting unless you are on a medication called Coumadin (warfarin) which works by blocking vitamin K in the body. If you are on Coumadin, research has shown that a small dose of vitamin K2 such as the dose found in the Jarrow MK-7 can actually help you to achieve more consistent INR levels while possibly preventing complication of long term Coumadin use which includes bone loss and artery calcification. Always discuss vitamin K supplementation with your health care practitioner prior to starting as you will likely need to increase the dose of the Coumadin to account for the effect of the K.

Recently I have been getting a number of questions about Oracine™, a formula trademarked and distributed by n3 Oceanic, Inc.; the makers of Res-Q 1250. As with their other products, Oracine ™ is marketed through a syndicated radio infomercial in talk show format. Claims that are being made range from:
Improvements in athletic performance
1. Cure for fatigue
2. Cure for heart failure
3. Cure for heart arrhythmias and palpitations
4. Cure for high blood pressure
5. A preventative against heart attack
6. Anti-inflammatory
7. Rebuilds damaged cells
This is a tall order for any supplement. So, is any of it true?

What is Oracine ™?

Oracine ™ is the brand name of a formula that contains two main ingredients, magnesium orotate and inosine phosphate. Magnesium orotate is superior form of magnesium that readily enters the cell where it can have its positive effects. The oritic acid, which is bound to the magnesium is used in the production of DNA and RNA as well as the production of energy in the cell. The inosine is known as a purine ribnucleotide that is also used in the production of energy as well as DNA and RNA.

Sounds good, but is there research to support the health claims, much less the high price tag?

In six words, ” yes and no…but mostly no”.

As I stated earlier, magnesium orotate is a superior form of magnesium and the orotate itself is likely beneficial to the body. In our practice, we use magnesium for heart health as well as blood pressure problems. Magnesium also appears to benefit people with diabetes and heart failure. But is the 40 mg of magnesium provided in a daily dose of the formula enough to benefit the body? Possibly, but there just isn’t enough research to gauge the benefit. There certainly is not enough research to support the wild claims that are made on the website and radio infomercial. Magnesium deficiency is common and most people would benefit from supplementing with magnesium, however, the 40 mg provided by this formula is likely insufficient to result in significant therapeutic benefit.

What about the inosine? Inosine has, in fact, been studied for its effect in improving muscular endurance in athletes. The conclusions of the research, however, go contrary to those reported by n3 Oceanic, Inc. A study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition gave trained athletes high doses of inosine and found no benefit to endurance. This is consistent with other research which also found no benefit to endurance. Uric acid did increase in subjects who took the inosine, an effect that the n3 Oceanic website lists as a benefit due to uric acid’s antioxidant benefit. Although uric acid is, in fact, an antioxidant its buildup is also a cause of gout and kidney stones. Some research suggests that increases in uric acid could help protect the nerves of patients suffering with multiple sclerosis. A recent study did, in fact, show inosine to increase uric acid in multiple sclerosis patients, however, the researchers recommend that patients be closely monitored while pursuing such a treatment. As for the claims about inosine’s benefits to regenerating damaged heart cells and reversing heart failure, there just is no research to support these claims. After searching the research literature, I can only assume that n3 Oceanic Inc. is basing these claims on pure hypothesis. Isn’t it interesting that n3 Oceanic offers no reference for the outrageous claims surrounding their formula?

So, the bottom line is this…Most of us are already taking a number of supplements and in my opinion the addition of this formula is simply not worth the expense. Your money is best spent on supplements with a more proven record, in fact, any record of benefit would be an improvement over Oracine™. It is easy to get caught up in the latest and greatest thing, especially when such claims are being made. In this instance, the hype far outweighs the science. With that said, if you are still convinced that Oracine™ is effective then I recommend that you purchase the individual ingredients separately and save a boatload of money! Source Naturals produces an inosine supplement and magnesium orotate is available from Priority One.

What Are Chia Seeds?
Are They as Nutritious as They Are Reported to Be?
What are the Benefits of Chia Seeds?
Does it Really Matter if You Buy Black or White Chia Seeds?

Yes, we are talking about the chia seeds used in the popular 80’s commercials for chia pets. It turns out that there is much more to these tiny seeds than growing green plumage on ridiculous ceramic heads. In fact, these seeds are a wonderful source of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and both soluble and insoluble fiber.

The story behind chia seeds is quite interesting, the ancient Aztecs and Mayans relished the chia seed as an integral part of their diet. The seeds were utilized for an easily digested and utilized source of nutrition until the Conquistadors nearly eradicated the crops in an attempt to conquer the Aztec civilization.

It wasn’t until the 90’s that the chia crops were brought back to life when Dr. Coates, began growing the chia crops in Argentina. Now the chia seeds have made a great resurgence and supplement companies are jumping at the chance to bring these seeds to market as another “superfood” full of wonderful nutrition.

But are the all that they are cracked up to be?

Chia seeds are indeed good sources of nutrition. An analysis of chia seeds reports the following:

44% Carbohydrate, 16 percent protein, 31% fats (mostly omega-3)
1.5 grams of omega-3 per tablespoon
60 mg of calcium per tablespoon
25 mg of magnesium per tablespoon
Assortment of B-vitamins and minerals
2500 mg of fiber per tablespoon
Chia appears to be the real thing, a superfood that provides appreciable amounts of nutrition. There are other benefits to chia seeds, for instance, unlike flax seed you do not need to grind the seeds up as they break down and absorb very easily. They help to slow the absorption of carbohydrates due to their high fiber content. Research has shown benefit to cholesterol and triglycerides. Finally, chia seeds do not attract insects and therefore do not require pesticides for optimal growth.

There are two main varieties on the market, black and white chia seeds. The white chia seeds are reported to be higher in nutrition, although, this still needs to be confirmed by independent sources. For now, either black or white seeds will provide significant amounts of nutrition. Chia seeds do not need to be expensive, with more and more companies offering the chia seeds you should be able to get a pound for under $10.

Cliff Notes” that will highlight the 16 key points regarding vitamin D. For those of you who consider yourselves nutrition nerds like me, these facts make for great conversation at parties. So here we go!

Vitamin D is a hot topic right now and I recently read a wonderful article that I felt did a great job of summarizing the research literature on vitamin D. Rather than writing another boring article on this topic, I decided to write up the “Vitamin D Cliff Notes” that will highlight the 16 key points regarding vitamin D. For those of you who consider yourselves nutrition nerds like me, these facts make for great conversation at parties. So here we go!

1. Vitamin D is a potent steroid hormone that plays an important role in over 200 repair and maintenance genes of the body. This means vitamin D has over 200 known mechanisms by which it promotes health and longevity aside from its benefits to the bones.
2. Your blood test levels for vitamin D should stay between 40-50 ng/ml all year round. During winter months, many people may need up to 5,000 iu daily in order to maintain this level.
3. A recent study found that 1,100 iu of vitamin D3 daily over a 4 year period dramatically decreased the risk of non-skin cancers.
4. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with many other diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, blood pressure problems, multiple sclerosis, periodontal disease, macular degeneration, inflammatory diseases, stroke, diabetes, mental illness and instability on your feet. Now you see why this is such a hot topic!
5. A recent analysis of the research suggests that 2,000 iu of vitamin D may virtually eliminate cold and flu.
6. Vitamin D deficiency may lead to unexplained back pain and, in these people, high doses of vitamin D (5,000 iu to 10,000 iu) may alleviate the pain!
7. Vitamin D deficiency is rampant and affects young and elderly alike. Vitamin D deficiency can occur even in people who live in sunny climates.
8. Stress fractures in otherwise healthy people may indicate vitamin D deficiency.
9. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to muscle pain and weakness.
10. Prescription vitamin D is not human vitamin D and is 2-4 times less effective than cheaper, non-prescription vitamin D (cholecalciferol).
11. The average adult needs 2,000-4,000 iu of vitamin D daily to maintain a healthy level. Although this is a good “standard recommendation” each person absorbs, utilizes and produces vitamin D to different degrees and may require a little more or a little less to optimize their blood levels.
12. If you are aged, obese and/or dark-skinned you may need 3,000-5,000 iu to maintain healthy levels.
13. Pregnant women should have their vitamin D blood tests performed every 3 months and optimize the blood levels using supplements. Lactating women should consider doses up to 6,000 iu daily to provide acceptable amounts to their child through breast milk. Vitamin D is crucial for the proper development of a growing child.
14. Bottle-fed infants should be supplemented with 400 iu of vitamin D daily. Breastfed children should be supplemented with 800 iu daily unless the mother takes high enough doses of supplemented vitamin D. Toddlers and older children who do not get sufficient sun should take 1,000-2,000 iu depending on their weight.
15. Vitamin D is safe. Most adults would have to take well over 10,000 iu of vitamin D for many months or years before they would suffer side effects from toxicity.

For those who would like to read the entire review article, it can be downloaded for free from The Vitamin D Council by clicking the following link: http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/PDFs/diagnosis-vitdd.pdf. There are many vitamin D supplements on the market, recently Carlson Labs came out with a very high potency line of liquid vitamin D. They have three formulas: 400 iu per drop, 1,000 iu per drop and 2,000 iu per drop. These products are convenient alternatives to softgels. If you would like a powerful multivitamin that provides 2,000 iu of vitamin D daily, I recommend the Purity’s Perfect Multivitamin.

In the body, CoQ10 exists in two main forms “ubiquinone” and “ubiquinol”. The “ubiquinol” is the activated form of “ubiquinone” and thus is more easily absorbed into the blood and cell. Recent research has shown that “ubiquinol” supplementation is superior to the older supplement “ubiquinone”, which is the standard CoQ10 supplements found in vitamin stores. “Ubiquinol” has only been available as a supplement since 2007 while ubiquinone has been used for over 30 years.

Many people are asking is the new form worth the extra expense?

In order for ubiquinone to be used by the body it must first be converted into ubiquinol. This process takes place naturally in the body which is why the standard CoQ10 has worked so well in conditions such as heart failure, immune dysfunction and diseases of the brain. Research indicates that CoQ10 levels begin to drop in the twenties and by the age of 40 may have dropped by a whopping 25%! In addition, certain prescriptions such as statin medications have been shown to dramatically decrease the production of this vital nutrient.

When should you use ubiquinol instead of the standard ubiquinone?

Because we are in the beginning stages of research with ubiquinol, we do not have all of the answers as of yet. Judging from the information that we currently have it appears that ubiquinol may be best in people who:

1. Are over the age of 40, especially senior citizens
2. Are on prescription medication that lowers CoQ10 production
3. Have not responded to standard CoQ10 supplementation
4. People who suffer with heart failure

Because ubiquinol is better absorbed and utilized, you may be able to take less than with standard CoQ10. We recommend starting with 200-300 mg per day for a period of 2-3 weeks, followed by 100 – 200 mg daily thereafter. This dose can be optimized according to your own results and needs.