CoQ10 May Improve Blood Clotting

In all of the recent research emerging on CoQ10 and its many, many beneficial properties there has been confusion regarding CoQ10 blood thinner interactions.  The bulk of relevant research indicates that it may work to improve blood clotting.

However, there is a lot of information floating around that seems to suggest that in significantly high doses, can actually act as a blood thinner.  How can this nutrient possibly work to both aid clotting and promote thinning of the blood?

The truth is, it cannot.  To unravel the mystery and the misunderstanding surrounding CoQ10-blood thinner interplay, we must first take a look at how it operates.

 

CoQ10 and Its Effect on the Cardiovascular System

cell energized with CoQ10CoQ10 is produced within virtually all of the cells of the human body.  It is a critical link in the electron transport chain, whereby the mitochondria of the cells produce Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) via cellular aerobic respiration.

ATP is the fundamental substance of energy that fuels every action and interaction in the body.  It is what makes you move, it is what makes you breath, it is what makes your heart beat.

It impacts the heart, both directly and indirectly.  Indirectly, it produces the energy that the heart needs to keep pumping blood through the body; the heart is constantly in motion and uses an incredible amount of energy, therefore its reliance on this basic fuel is substantial.

It also aids the heart by acting as an antioxidant, binding to free radicals in the body that can cause cancer and heart disease. It also influences the heart most directly by serving as a clotting trigger in the blood, similar in form and function to vitamin K.

 

Blood Thinner Interaction

It’s CoQ10’s function as a clotting agent that directly impacts prescription blood thinners.  The truth at the heart of the confusion is that CoQ10 does inhibit the performance of blood thinners such as warfarin, coumadin and aspirin.  It reacts with blood thinners, just like vitamin K, reducing the effect the thinning agent has on the blood.

This does not necessarily mean that individuals using blood thinners should not take CoQ10 – after all, the list of benefits is extensive – but it does mean that anyone on blood thinners wishing to benefit should be cautious and alert.  It is important that such persons be conscious of their international normalized ratio, prothrombin ratio, and prothrombin time.

Those taking CoQ10 and Blood thinners should test their blood often to make sure that CoQ10 is not preventing proper blood thinning.  Regular PT testing will allow the user to monitor the effects on the action of his or her blood thinners, so that he or she may ensure that they are getting the maximum benefit of both.

 

The CoQ10 Blood Thinner Myth

The myth circulating that CoQ10 is itself a blood thinner is likely due to a misunderstanding.  While CoQ10 itself serves to increase blood clotting, it also works to moderate cholesterol by promoting good cholesterol.

It helps improve heart strength and cardiovascular health and provides many other benefits for the cardiovascular system.  As a result, blood flows more freely through the body and undesirable clotting – that associated with heart attacks and strokes – is naturally reduced.

In this way, it helps to provide many of the benefits normally associated with blood thinners, but is not, in itself, a blood thinning agent.

Source: http://coq10antiaging.com/coq10-blood-thinner/

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