An ever-increasing body of research indicates that the list of CoQ10 benefits is a long one. And recent research indicates that reversing the aging process might be at the top of that list.

Coenzyme Q10, often referred to as CoQ10 or Vitamin Q, is actually not a vitamin but a naturally-occurring substance found in every cell in the body. Its function is to help the cellular mitochondria, the "power plant" of every cell, convert fats and sugars to energy.

Recognized as an effective treatment

Since it was first discovered in the late 1950s this natural substance has been intensively studied and it has been proven to help in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and heart disease. It is also believed to be a powerful aid to the maintenance of cardiac health and effective in lowering cholesterol.

CoQ10 supplements have become an important tool for medicine, and the fact that side effects are both rare and exceptionally mild makes it a potentially useful product for almost everyone. But valuable as it already is, there is reason to believe that the benefits it can offer have only begun to be discovered.

A powerful weapon in the battle against Alzheimer's

The most exciting research on this substance is in the area of anti-aging. An increasing number of studies indicate powerful anti-oxidant properties could make Coenzyme Q10 one of the keys to preventing a host of age-related disorders including Alzheimer's disease.

Though the exact mechanism of Alzheimer's remains unclear, it is thought that the ravages of the disease are largely attributable to brain cell damage from oxidative stress. CoQ10's intensive anti-oxidant properties are believed to inhibit oxidative stress and actually improve brain condition, according 2006 finding reported in the Behavioural Brain Research journal.

Prevention of other age-related disorders

It has also been shown to substantially enhance Vitamin E's known anti-inflammatory effect, increasing Vitamin E's effectiveness by as much as 20%. This could play a huge role in reducing the risk of age-related vascular diseases including heart disease, the world's biggest killer.

The anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of this coenzyme are also being studied for their effect on brain health and cognitive abilities, especially as related to aging. It is being tested for effectiveness in preventing or treating a host of age-related disorders, including macular degeneration, adult-onset diabetes, and prostate cancer. It is even known to work against skin aging.

The body's production of Coenzyme Q10 starts to drop off in the 20s, which would indicate that most people could benefit from supplemental CoQ10 as they move into middle age and beyond.

Looking for more information on CoQ10? Find out how CoQ10 benefits hearts, as well as the possibility that CoQ10 benefits cancer