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Understanding the "energy-starved" heart

Understanding the "energy-starved" heartMedical science has traditionally used the term "chronic heart failure" about patients who had poor heart function, low exercise tolerance, chest pain and shortness of breath. Now, this condition is also known as the energy-starved heart. If the heart muscle is no longer able to produce sufficient amounts of energy to carry out its basic functions, it has serious implications for patient's quality of life.

Coenzyme Q10 is the key to cellular energy production and with supplements of this extremely important substance, significant improvements can be obtained. Studies have shown that patients with severe degrees of heart failure can improve their condition amazingly just by taking coenzyme Q10 as part of their daily regimen.


Latest News - Healthy Living

Are you getting enough of the essential nutrient selenium?

Are you getting enough of the essential nutrient selenium?It is estimated that one billion people worldwide lack selenium. This has fatal consequences for public health because it increases the risk of virus infections, thyroid disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurological disorders, and involuntary infertility. Adding to that problem is the fact that mercury, a known environmental toxin, throws a wrench into selenium’s different functions. In the following, we have compiled a long list of studies that look closer at the consequences of selenium deficiency and the advantage of optimizing the body’s selenium status with help from supplements.

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Selenium boosts the formation of new brain cells

Selenium boosts the formation of new brain cellsIt’s commonly known that physical activity boosts the brain’s ability to form new brain cells – or neurons. Still, the underlying mechanisms have been a mystery to science. A team of Australian scientists, however, has recently discovered that, during exercise, mice produce a selenium-containing protein that helps the brain synthesize new brain cells. The scientists consider this to be a rather fantastic study, and it is assumed that selenium therapy may be used in the future to prevent and treat cognitive decline in people who are unable to carry out physical exercise or in those likely to be selenium-deficient. This is particularly relevant for Alzheimer’s patients and people who have suffered a stroke. It should be added that it can be quite a challenge to get enough selenium from an otherwise balanced diet in our part of the world.

Read more about how selenium boosts the formation of new brain cellsSelenium boosts the formation of new brain cells

Selenium and calcium protect against colorectal cancer

 Selenium and calcium protect against colorectal cancerColorectal cancer is one of the most common cancer types. Although the diet is of huge importance, the understanding of minerals and their interactions and preventative effect is limited. Earlier studies have shown that calcium and selenium have protective roles. It also looks as if having more selenium in the blood can improve the effect of calcium. This was demonstrated in a new Polish study that is published in BMC Nutrition. The scientists point out that there is widespread selenium deficiency in Europe and that supplementation may be needed.

Read more about selenium and calcium and how they protect against colorectal cancer Selenium and calcium protect against colorectal cancer

Q10’s potential in counteracting ageing, chronic disease, and drug side effects

Q10’s potential in counteracting ageing, chronic disease, and drug side effectsQ10 is a unique and wonderful coenzyme with a key function in energy turnover and a role as a powerful antioxidant. The body produces the lion’s share Q10 for its own needs but the endogenous synthesis of the compound decreases with age. Moreover, cholesterol-lowering statins and bisphosphonates used to treat osteoporosis disrupt the body’s Q10 synthesis. Over the past decades, numerous studies have shown that Q10 supplementation can slow down the ageing process. Q10 is also useful in connection with heart failure and several other chronic ailments that typically occur in old age. This is described in a review article that is published in Mechanisms of Ageing and Development. With Q10 supplements, it’s important to choose pharmaceutical-grade products with documented quality and bioavailability.

Read more about Q10’s potential in counteracting ageing, chronic disease, and drug side effectsQ10’s potential in counteracting ageing, chronic disease, and drug side effects

Is selenium really able to slow down ageing and increase our lifespan?

 Is selenium really able to slow down ageing and increase our lifespan?Selenium supports a host of different metabolic processes and serves as an antioxidant that protects our cells. According to recent studies, selenium also has anti-ageing properties that protect us against cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, and other age-related diseases. According to a review article published in Medical News Today, selenium also helps against impaired immunity and counteracts chronic inflammation, which is typically seen in connection with ageing processes. A Swedish study of healthy seniors has even showed that supplementation with selenium and Q10 has a positive effect on heart function, quality of life, and life expectancy.

Read more about how selenium slows down ageing and increases our lifespan Is selenium really able to slow down ageing and increase our lifespan?

Patients with hereditary hemochromatosis lack Q10

- and supplements may have therapeutic value

Patients with hereditary hemochromatosis lack Q10Hereditary hemochromatosis is a group of diseases that involve iron accumulation in the body. This leads to oxidative stress and tissue destruction which may affect the liver and other organs. According to a new Argentinian study, patients with hereditary hemochromatosis lack Q10 in their blood. Because Q10 is of vital importance to the cellular energy turnover and it also serves as a powerful antioxidant against oxidative stress, a Q10 deficiency will contribute to the disease. This, the researchers behind the new study explain, is why Q10 may represent a new and safe agent for treating the condition.

Read more about why patients with hereditary hemochromatosis lack Q10 and why supplements may have therapeutic valuePatients with hereditary hemochromatosis lack Q10

Breast cancer: More selenium in the blood improves survival

Breast cancer: More selenium in the blood improves survivalBreast cancer is the leading cancer form among women. Even though treatments have gotten a lot better the disease still has a high death toll. A Swedish-German study shows that having low levels of selenium in the blood worsens the prognosis, whereas having a higher selenium content in the blood can increase the odds of surviving breast cancer. Unfortunately, selenium deficiency is rather common in Europe. According to the scientists behind the new study, measurements of selenium status can be used to optimize blood levels of the nutrient, thereby improving treatment correspondingly.

Read more about breast cancer: Higher blood levels of selenium increase your survivalBreast cancer: More selenium in the blood improves survival

During pregnancy, the developing fetus is entirely dependent on the mother’s selenium status

Selenium deficiency and oxidative stress damages fetal developmentThe need for the trace element selenium is increased in pregnant and breastfeeding women because it supports a host of different proteins that are particularly important for tissue growth. Also, selenium supports different antioxidants that protect the unborn baby’s organs and tissues. A new review article published in Nutrients shows that lack of selenium during pregnancy may result in oxidative stress, stunted growth, and low birth weight. This may eventually have consequences for the baby’s development, cognitive skills, and health in general. The authors also mention that an expecting mother’s alcohol abuse may have a more negative health impact if she is selenium-deficient. It is a problem that selenium deficiency is such a widespread problem in Europe and other parts of the world.

Read more about why maternal selenium status is so important for fetal development during pregnancyDuring pregnancy, the developing fetus is entirely dependent on the mother’s selenium status

Selenium’s overlooked role in male and female fertility

Selenium’s overlooked role in male and female fertilitySelenium has an overlooked role in sperm quality and healthy pregnancies. A team of scientists from Romania has looked closer at blood levels of different selenium-containing antioxidants and found that low levels are significantly correlated with poor sperm quality. The scientists also explain that lack of selenium increases the risk of pregnancy-related complications, miscarriage, and preterm delivery. Both selenium deficiencies and infertility are common problems so selenium supplementation may be worth considering. For decades, Danish farmers have added selenium to animal fodder as a way of improving the fertility and general health of the animals.

Read more about selenium’s overlooked role in fertility in both gendersSelenium’s overlooked role in male and female fertility

Q10 supplements have a positive effect on diabetics’ cardiovascular system

Q10 supplements have a positive effect on diabetics’ cardiovascular systemDiabetes damages the circulatory system in a number of ways that are linked to impaired quality of life and early death. A meta-analysis shows that if type 2 diabetics take supplements of Q10 it lowers their risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Another positive effect of Q10 is that it serves as a unique antioxidant that counteracts oxidative stress, which is a major cause of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular damage. One of the problems of using cholesterol-lowering statins is that it inhibits the body’s endogenous Q10 synthesis, but this is something one can compensate for. According to Danish research, it is also a good idea to limit your carbohydrate intake and follow the new dietary guidelines that help stabilize blood sugar levels.

Read more about why Q10 has a positive effect on diabetics’ cardiovascular systemQ10 supplements have a positive effect on diabetics’ cardiovascular system