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In 1957, Professor Frederick Crane made an exciting new discovery.
While examining the cells of a beef heart, he found that every cell membrane contained a vitamin-like substance, known today as Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
CoQ10, also known as ubiquinone, plays an essential role in the conversion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy.
Which foods are a good source of CoQ10?
Organ meats such as heart, kidney, and liver are the best dietary sources of CoQ10, containing approximately 20-40mg/kg, as well as oily fish such as salmon and tuna.
Muscle meats like pork beef and chicken contain less, while vegetables and fruits tend to contain very little CoQ10.
Most individuals obtain sufficient amounts of CoQ10 through a balanced diet, but supplementation may be useful for individuals with particular health conditions.
The health benefits of CoQ10
CoQ10 is naturally present in all membranes of our cells and plays a central role in the mitochondrial respiratory chain.
It also acts as a highly effective antioxidant by stopping free radicals from damaging body cells and blood lipids (fats), which can cause cancer and heart disease.
The antioxidant power of CoQ10 is especially strong because of its location in the mitochondria of cells – the main source of these harmful free radicals.
CoQ10 also contributes to the antioxidant power of vitamin E.
Who should take CoQ10?
Healthy people get the CoQ10 they need (about 3-5mg/day) from their diet, as well as from their body’s own production of this enzyme.
There are some people, however, who are at risk of CoQ10 deficiency.
They include the elderly, vegetarians, and those taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. Deficiency has also been observed in people with various medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and migraines.
In these ‘at-risk’ populations, there may be promising beneficial effects of CoQ10 supplementation. Belardinelli observed a clear improvement in patients with chronic heart failure who took an oral CoQ10 supplement containing 300mg/day. This improvement was even greater when the CoQ10 supplements were combined with exercise training.
A small study by Shults (2002) found that CoQ10 may slow the loss of function experienced by people with Parkinson’s disease.
Subjects who took CoQ10 supplements (especially the higher dose of 1200 mg/day) developed less disability than those taking a placebo. Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm these results, but the preliminary findings are promising.
CoQ10 supplements may also help to alleviate migraines. Another study found that a 300mg/day dose of CoQ10 significantly reduced the frequency of migraine attacks, the number of headache days, and the number of days with nausea.
These studies highlight the central role of CoQ10 in human health and wellbeing. Fortunately, the vast majority of people do not need to consume such extreme doses and can easily benefit from consuming foods that are naturally rich in this enzyme.
Olivado Extra-Virgin Avocado Oil is an excellent source of CoQ10 and a great vegetarian alternative to traditional meat sources.
Olivado as a source of CoQ10
A scientific study conducted by the Nutrition Institute, in conjunction with the Pablo de Olavide University in Seville, Spain, found that Olivado’s Extra-Virgin Avocado Oil was extremely high in CoQ10.
With 123mg/litre of CoQ10, the study found our oil to be one of the richest natural food sources of this important enzyme. This equates to 2 teaspoons of our oil meeting 25% of daily needs!
The special production process of this Olivado oil also makes it a superior CoQ10 source compared to many other avocado oils.
In fact, studies of other oils found only a maximum of 22mg/litre, tiny in comparison to our oils.
The healthiest oil on the shelf
Our Extra-Virgin Avocado Oil is created using a special cold-pressed method which allows us to keep in all the natural goodness of the coconut flesh without using harsh chemicals.
This is why it can keep those natural vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including the essential CoQ10.
When it comes to avocado oil, it’s important to remember quality counts, and every stage of our process is maintained to the highest standards.
The flavour, smell, and texture of our oil are telling of its quality, and avocado oil is the king of the kitchen as far as cooking goes.
Our avocado oil has been proven to have the same effect in lowering cholesterol as olive oil, while avocados are also a fantastic source of potassium, which helps regulate your heartbeat, keeps nerves working, and helps lower blood pressure.
When it comes to cooking oils, it’s hard to find a healthier one than avocado oil, and it’s even harder to find a better avocado oil than Olivado’s Extra-Virgin Avocado Oil.
If you would like to know more about our range of oils and their health benefits, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Our friendly and expert staff will be happy to help in any way they can.
