PHARMA NORD


How these nutrients slash heart disease risk


coEnzYmE Q10 anD SELEnIUm DEmonStratE StaggErIng hEart hEaLth BEnEfItS In cLInIcaL trIaL


h


eart disease remains the biggest killer in the UK and in an effort to protect


themselves, many people choose nutritional intervention and take supplements. though there's a plethora of supplements to choose from, coenzyme Q10 and selenium stand out for being some of the most important nutrients for heart health that we don't get significantly from the diet.


Q10 – vital for energy coenzyme Q10 is necessary for the conversion of digested food into energy (known as respiration) via the mitochondria, the energy production unit of the cell.


Every cell of the body depends on adequate levels of Q10 to produce energy to perform biological functions, with hard-working organs such as the heart using more.


In research, supplementing with Q10 demonstrates a range of benefits to the heart and cardiovascular system, including reducing the build-up of fatty plaque in the blood vessels1


. 30 - PharmacY In focUS


We produce our own Q10 in the body, though this production decreases as we age or take certain medications. for this reason, many people now take Q10 supplements to help protect the heart, to promote energy production and other benefits.


for Q10 to work at its best, our bodies require adequate levels of the trace element Selenium.


Selenium – the element we all need the immune system, sperm production, healthy skin and nails are some of the many areas of health that require selenoproteins: vital substances made in the body from the trace element selenium.


one such selenoprotein is glutathione peroxidase, an important antioxidant used by the body to protect cells from damage and subsequent degenerative diseases. In research, low selenium status is linked with low thyroid function, cognitive decline and elevated cardiovascular disease risk2


.


Selenium intakes are low in the UK/Europe and research suggests


these levels are in decline 3 .


Supplementation offers a reliable way to ensure consistent and adequate selenium intakes.


The KiSel-10 Trial coEnzyme Q10 and selenium share various similarities. they both improve the function of the other, they're both antioxidants, are difficult to obtain from diet alone and are shown to reduce cardiovascular disease risk4


.


When a major scientific trial combined these supplements, although positive results were expected, the extent of these results were staggering.


the KiSel-10 clinical trial involved 443 people in Sweden and aimed to explore the potential heart protective effects of coenzyme Q10 and selenium supplements.


Various parameters were monitored during the four-year study, including heart function (via echocardiograms) and biomarkers of heart stress and inflammation.


one group of the participants were given a combination of coenzyme Q10 (200mg per day) and organic selenium yeast (200mcg per day) while group 2 were given placebos, both over a four-year period.


Heart disease risk cut in half Participants taking Q10 and Selenium supplements demonstrated a 54% reduction in the risk of dying from heart disease. those taking the supplements also showed lower levels of the biomarker n-proBnP, a naturally occurring chemical produced by a heart under duress and used by cardiologists to predict heart failure.


the results showed those taking Q10 and selenium had significantly better heart function, a conclusion backed up by echocardiogram (Ecg) results. the study also showed that the Q10 and selenium group also had fewer signs of inflammation and oxidative stress, both traits linked to the development of heart disease.


Lasting results after twelve years, a follow-up analysis of KiSel-10 found the participants gained lasting results from the supplements, with reduced mortality rates versus the placebo group (28% vs 39%). the study participants who received the supplement combination also showed significantly less decline in various aspects of health-related quality of life, including cognitive function, nervous system function, and overall quality of life.


Supplement choice is critical Q10 and selenium supplements come in various forms, with dramatic


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