Coenzyme Q-10 with Lipoic Acid may be a useful dietary supplement for individuals wishing to supplement their diet with a more complete antioxidant defense.
Alpha-lipoic acid is a nutritional coenzyme thatparticipates in the energy metabolism of proteins,carbohydrates and fats, with a particular role in bloodglucose disposal. It is also able to scavenge a numberof free radicals.Alpha-lipoic acid is unique among biologicalantioxidants, because it is soluble in both water andlipids. This allows it to neutralize free radicals justabout everywhere in the body, inside and outside thecells. Due to its unique sulfur-containing structure,alpha-lipoic acid can scavenge several types of freeradicals, such as the highly reactive hydroxyl andsinglet oxygen free radicals. It is also capable ofsuppressing the generation of free radicals in the firstplace, since alpha-lipoic acid chelates transitionmetals, such as iron and copper. Because alphalipoicacid is involved in so many differentantioxidant functions in virtually all body tissues, ithas been called the universal antioxidant.
Besides being a universal free radical scavenger, alpha-lipoic acid can also recharge other antioxidant systems throughout the body. As mentioned earlier, it can extend the activity of vitamins C and E. In addition, alpha-lipoic acid can also regenerate glutathione.
Since nearly all cellular activitiesare dependent upon energy, coenzyme Q-10 isessential for the health of all human tissues andorgans.
Coenzyme Q-10 is a naturally-occurring antioxidantnutrient which retards free radical formation in biological systems. Coenzyme Q-10 resembles vitamin E and vitamin K in chemical structure. Biochemically, it functions much like vitamin E in that it participates in antioxidant and free radical reactions.
