Co Q10 and Garlic Supplements May Make Sense To You
You, being the clever person you are, have no doubt heard of CoQ10 or its converted form called Ubiquinol. Particularly with regard to Cholesterol lowering medication both natural and pharmaceutical. But maybe you would find some more information interesting?
And though garlic is more of a household name, it too has some fascinating health benefits that you may find interesting.
What is CoQ10?
It’s an enzyme made by our fascinating bodies. It converts various molecules into energy on a cellular level. As I am not a scientist, I will aim to make this post very easy to understand. Basically this little enzyme works on increasing the amount of cellular energy created in our mitochondria, also known as the powerhouse of our cells. Though our bodies produce this enzyme, the levels start declining as early as our mid thirties and continue to do so into old age. If we add life’s daily challenges, stress and medication, these levels get depleted even more rapidly.
As we are all encouraged to keep an eye on our cholesterol levels, which is also a substance made by our body, we often reach for a little helper in the form of natural or prescription statins, Red Yeast Rice is the natural version of which a synthetic copy of its active components creates pharmaceutical statins. What is important to know here is that both varieties inhibit the production of CoQ10. As our body uses the same pathway for the production of cholesterol as it does for CoQ10, these medicines interrupt this pathway which results in lower cholesterol levels but also in lower COQ10 levels.
Some common side effects people may experience due to this interrupted pathway is fatigue or muscle aches to name but a few. By choosing to supplement with CoQ10, these side effects may be lowered or become barely noticeable. According to our suppliers, the more beneficial form of this enzyme is Ubiquinol, the active antioxidant form of CoQ10. When our body makes the enzyme it is as Ubiquinone, the oxidised form, which then needs to be converted by our body. With medicine inhibited production and naturally lower levels through aging already an issue, a supplementation may be beneficial in supporting healthy hearts and energy levels. For better absorption, some food supplement manufacturers add supporting nutrients. Some of them may consist of medium chain fatty acids, alpha lipoic acid or amino acids like L-Carnitine for transportation into the cells. Others may support the transport by fermented or whole food blends. Make sure to always read the labels and ask for more information.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions regarding the supplements we offer or talk to your health care provider, particularly if you are taking medication. You can also contact the product producer directly to clarify any concerns you may have.
Here’s a little video I recorded earlier:
Let’s Have A Closer Look At Garlic Now:
This ancient plant has been quite heavily researched and is well known as one of nature’s heart helpers, supporting a healthy blood pressure as well as healthy cholesterol levels. The following information is given by one of my oldest suppliers, Quest NutraPharma and gives more detailed information about aged (Kyolic) garlic versus non aged garlic: (Source: https://www.qnutrapharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Kyolic-Garlic-A5-LL-ver1.01.pdf)
“Aged garlic in particular has been shown in many research papers to be more potent than non-aged garlic. Aged garlic is a therapeutic agent for the health of the heart, the liver and immune system. Kyolic garlic is organically grown and cold-aged for 20 months. This process increases the hydrophilic sulphur containing compounds; S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC), S-allylcysteine (SAC) and S-mythyl cysteine. Kyolic garlic also contains hydrophobic compounds such as diallyl sulphide (DAS), diallyl disulphide (DADS), diallyl trisulphide, allyl methyl trisulphide, dithiins, and ajoene.
These substances decrease low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, improve blood circulation, support healthy blood pressure levels and reduce platelet aggregation and adhesion to blood vessel walls. Aged garlic contains a high level of antioxidants that enhances immune function and reduces the risk of infections at the same time as protecting cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
S-allymercaptocysteine enhances the activity of the liver enzymes and assists in detoxification pathways.
Unlike raw garlic, Kyolic garlic does not contain allicin, making it gentle on the stomach and suitable for most people.
HEART HEALTH
The active ingredients in aged garlic, S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) and S-allylcysteine (SAC), are sulphur containing compounds and a derivative of the amino acid L cysteine. SAMC and SAC provide many benefits to the body. The concentration of these compounds in garlic increases over time, providing the benefits that aged garlic has over fresh garlic. SAMC works by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), a potent oxidant in the body. It also enhanc es antioxidants in the cells such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione. Aged garlic targets some of the main causes of cardiovascular disease and can be used as a preventive, as well as a therapeutic agent in high risk individuals.
Atherosclerosis
Due to the potent antioxidants in aged garlic, it has the ability to inhibit oxidative changes of cholesterol and therefore protect the endothelial cells of the blood vessels from becoming damaged and oxidized, a major factor in the development of atherosclerosis.
Cholesterol
Studies show that aged garlic reduces serum cholesterol significantly when compared to a placebo. High density lipoprotein (HDL) is increased, and LDL decreases by up to 10% in hypercholesteraemic men. It is the combination of compounds in aged garlic, including both hydrophilic and hydrophobic agents that inhibit the synthesis of LDL cholesterol. Studies looking at individual compounds on cholesterol have not yielded the results that aged garlic extract consistently shows.
High blood pressure and circulation
Studies show that aged garlic can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure reducing the strain on the heart. High blood pressure significantly impacts cardiovascular health if left untreated. Produced using organically grown cold-aged garlic. Aged garlic is a source of antioxidants including S-allylmercaptocysteine and S-allylcysteine. Supports the health of the heart, liver and immune system.
No garlic taste.
Standardised.
SUMMARY
Aged garlic stimulates glutathione production which counteracts the damage to the blood vessels caused by homocysteine in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia. Aged garlic minimises oxidative stress and stimulates nitric oxide pathways, relaxing the blood vessel walls, decreasing blood pressure and improving circulation in conditions such as Raynaud’s disease and chilblains.
Blood health
Aged garlic provides antithrombic activity. It decreases the adhesion of platelets to the blood vessel walls and reduces platelet aggregation, both important factors in reducing the risk of developing blood clots.
LIVER HEALTH
Oxidation: Aged garlic has the ability to protect the liver against oxidation induced diseases, damage from ageing, radiation and chemical exposure and long term toxic damage. S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) and S-allylcysteine (SAC) significantly reduced the rise in liver enzymes (a marker of liver stress) and liver necrosis (death of liver cells in acute hepatitis).
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Aged garlic may also be beneficial in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A study reports the decrease in fat accumulation, collagen formation and free fatty acids with the use of aged garlic. SAMC decreases the creation of fat in the liver (lipogenesis), and corrected fat breakdown markers. SAMC also reduced oxidative stress in the liver, a prominent marker of NAFLD.
Detoxification: The sulphur compounds increase the body’s production of glutathione, a potent stimulator of detoxification and aids in the removal of heavy metals, environmental and indigenous toxins. The sulphur compounds in aged garlic also help to protect blood cells from damage induced by heavy metals. This provides a huge benefit to anyone releasing stored heavy metals back into the bloodstream for detoxification. Aged garlic extract has been shown to act as a hepatoprotective agent against cisplatin, a chemotherapy agent.
IMMUNE HEALTH
Inflammation: Aged garlic decreases the expression of (NF)-kB, an inflammatory signal protein within the body. Chronic inflammation is the overreaction of the body’s immune proteins such as cytokines. This overreaction can eventually decrease our resistance to infection.
Immune modulation: The potent antioxidants in aged garlic stimulate appropriate immunological action by enhancing the number of Natural Killer cells. Aged garlic is also an immune modulator, an important factor in immune system health. One study observed a much lower frequency of catching colds and a quicker recovery with the consumption of aged garlic extract. Another study has found that aged garlic prevents the decrease in immune system activity imposed by psychological stress. Psychological stress decreases the number of Natural Killer cells in the body. Aged garlic may be a therapeutic agent to prevent this from happening.
Antimicrobial: Aged garlic extract has been shown to heal mucosal tissue in the gut, and provide anti-microbial protection and regulation of the microbiome. Good gut health and a healthy microbiome is the first step in ensuring elective immune functioning. Many T and B helper cells are stored in the gut associated lymphoid tissue where they interact directly with the gut microbiome.
HOW SHOULD KYOLIC GARLIC BE TAKEN?
Take one or two tablets daily with food. Swallow with water.
ARE THERE ANY PRECAUTIONS BEFORE OR WHILE TAKING KYOLIC GARLIC?
Please consult your doctor before taking Kyolic garlic if you are taking any medication, being treated for any health conditions or awaiting any surgical procedures.
Quest Vitamins Middle East FZE
Jebel Ali Free Zone, PO Box 17836
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
T +971 (0)4 886 2850 F +971 (0)4 886 2851
E info.me@qnutrapharma.com
Quest Vitamins Limited
Gooses Foot Estate, Kingstone,
Hereford, HR2 9HY, United Kingdom
T +44 198 125 1713 F +44 198 125 1715
E info.uk@qnutrapharma.com
FEATURES
• Produced from organically grown cold aged garlic clove
End of Quest NutraPharma Post
I hope you found this interesting. As always I encourage you to conduct more research for yourself and ask an many questions you like, including directly to producers of products.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for general information and not intended to give any health advice. It is always important to contact your doctor or health care provider prior to taking any food supplements.
I was born in 1965 in Nuremberg, Germany, to a German mother and a Turkish father. Growing up in a blend of two rich cultures gave me a deep appreciation for food, farmers, and the traditions that nourish us—though I didn’t fully realize this until much later in life.
So how did I end up as a health store owner?
Well, life has a funny way of guiding us toward our purpose.
In my early 20s, I worked in export for a well-known sports company in Germany. But I had a dream of living abroad. That dream led me first to Ireland, then to Australia, and eventually back to Ireland—where I’ve made my home ever since.
