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Coenzyme
Q10 (Co Q10) is a relative newcomer to the skin care industry.
Yet, its value for general health and nutrition is rather
well known and well researched.
CoQ10
has at least two important roles in the body. First, CoQ10
is an antioxidant. It helps neutralize harmful free radicals,
which are one of the causes of aging. Under perfect conditions,
the body can produce as much CoQ10 as it needs. Second,
it is one of the essential cogs in the biochemical machinery
that produces biological energy (ATP) inside the cells.
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However,
various factors, such as aging, stress and some medications,
can lower the levels of CoQ10 in the skin. As a result, the
ability of cells to withstand stress and regenerate declines.
Consequentially, the levels of CoQ10 in the body almost inevitably
declines with age. CoQ10 is regarded as one of the most promient
biomarkers of aging since its decline correlates accurately
with the aging process.. The effects of CoQ10 supplements
on human longevity remain somewhat unknown. In another light,
it was proven useful in treating certain human diseases, including
heart failure and hypertension.
What
can CoQ10 do for facial skin? Theoretically speaking, CoQ10
(in a skin cream, for example) can be helpful. In most people
over forty, levels of CoQ10 in the skin are below optimum,
resulting in lesser ability to produce collagen, elastin and
other important skin molecules. Also, CoQ10-depleted skin
may be more prone to the damage by free radicals, which are
particularly abundant in the skin since it is exposed to the
elements. CoQ10 can boost skin repair and regeneration and
reduce free radical damage. CoQ10 is a small molecule that
can relatively easily penetrate into skin cells.
Even
if CoQ10 can be effective in treating skin aging, it is unclear
whether popular CoQ10 products contain adequate concentrations
of active CoQ10. (Keep in mind that CoQ10, just like vitamin
C, can be inactivated by oxygen from the air.). You can get
around this problem, however, by preparing your own CoQ10
cream where you can ensure proper freshness and concentration.
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