Antioxidants:Forth article in Series Today we will discuss lipoic acid, and Coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10):

So what is Lipoic acid and Coenzyme Q10 anyway?
Packer says that Lipoic Acid is the most versatile and powerful antioxidant in the network. It greatly enchances the power of all the other antioxidants in the body.

In Europe it has been used safely and successfully as a treatment for complications of diabetes and in Packer's lab he has shown that lipoic acid may offer powerful protection against both stroke and heart disease. You really can't get enough lipoic acid in your food alone so if you are not taking a supplement you are not tapping into the full power of the antioxidant network. Glutathione, lipoic acid and CoQ10 decline as we age and that is why we need to supplement all of them. Remember network antioxidants have special powers that set them apart from others in that they greatly enhance the power of one another. Lipoic acid is unique in that it is the only antioxidant that can significantly boost the levels of glutathione, another key network antioxidant that is instrumental in ridding the body of toxins. Since Lipoic acid can recycle glutathione, it is important because, when taken orally, glutathione is not well absorbed by the body and most of it goes to waste. Lipoic Acid can boost glutathione levels in cells by an impressive 30%. When you take lipoic acid, you are not only getting all the benefits of lipoic acid, but you are in effect getting an additional dose of glutathione.

Maintaining a high level of glutathione is critical for life. Low levels are a marker for death at any age, Glutathione levels are drastically depleted in people with chronic illnesses such as AIDS, cancer; and autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus), leaving them seriously antioxidant-deficient.

Co-Q-10 is responsible for the cell's energy in two ways. First it helps to create at least three of the enzymes the cell uses to create ATP, the fuel created in the mitochondia that is released and burned as energy. It also creates energy directly, playing a role in the electron and proton transfers as energy passes through the mitochondrial wall and the cell wall and it acts as an antioxidant. It can be found in food and it can be taken orally as a supplement. Your body starts cutting back on production of Co-Q-10 when you are about twenty years old. If you are a heart patient taking medication for it, you probably need a Co-Q-10 supplement. Check with your healthcare provider/nutritionist before you start taking it.

Co-enzyme (C0-Q10) is also known as ubiquinone. According to Dr. James F. Balch, M.D. - It has been used in Japan since the 1970's as a treatment for various heart and circulatory problems. Among its many benefits are: 1)generation of energy to every cell in the body; 2) prevention and treatment of a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases, including congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis; 3) prevention and treatment of cancer of the breast, lung, colon, prostate, and other types of cancer; 4) treatment of several types of muscular dystrophy; 5) treatment of periodontal disease; 6) protection against cellular damage of excessive free radical activity; and 7) slowing of various aspects of the aging process, leading to the extension of mean lifespan in animal studies.

Want to learn more - read "The Super Antioxidants" by James F. Balch, M.D. and "The Antioxidant Miracle" by Lester Packer, PH.D and Carol Colman.