I am writing about essential nutrients for heart health, joints, liver and energy, explained in a simple manner.

Coenzyme Q10 – Simply explained

Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a substance that is essential for every living organism and is produced naturally by the body. Cells use it to generate energy. CoQ10 also functions as a powerful antioxidant to help fight free radicals that can damage cells and DNA.

However, as you get older, your body produces less and less CoQ10. By the time you are 80 years old, the amount your body produces is greatly reduced.

Certain conditions, including diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and heart problems, also tend to lower levels of CoQ10. It isn’t known if disease causes the deficiency or if the deficiency appears first, causing cells to age faster and making disease more likely.

Statins are a class of prescription drugs designed to lower high cholesterol. Cholesterol is produced in a pathway within the liver. Many other essentials, including CoQ10 also use this pathway. Statins lower cholesterol by blocking this pathway. When the pathway is blocked, it also blocks production of CoQ10. Studies indicate that Statins reduce CoQ10 levels by as much as 40%.

Some Nutrients for Joint Health – Simply explained

Many people with arthritis – especially osteoarthritis – use supplements in their diet to ease the pain of arthritis. Glucosamine and chondroitin are the most well-known. Methyl sulfonylmethane (MSM) is another supplement used to ease the pain of arthritis.

Chondroitin, glucosamine and methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM are nutrients that are good for joint health. They may be taken for relieving pain associated with osteoarthritis — a painful degenerative condition that results in stiff, aching joints. These nutrients may also offer anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits.

Chondroitin is a major constituent of the connective tissue in your body known as cartilage, which helps cushion your joints and prevent your bones from rubbing against each other. Chondroitin absorbs water and other fluids, which helps keep your cartilage hydrated and healthy. It’s taken as a supplement to treat osteoarthritis, a form of arthritis that results from the breakdown of cartilage.

Like chondroitin, glucosamine is produced naturally in the body and plays a role in joint health. It helps build and repair cartilage that connects the joints. It’s common to take glucosamine alone or with chondroitin for osteoarthritis. Glucosamine possesses anti-inflammatory properties, and according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, data suggests it may help relieve osteoarthritis pain.

MSM is a compound that contains sulphur and helps support tendons and muscles, as it has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It is found in many fruit, vegetables, grains and meats.

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple juice and in the pineapple stem. It appears to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.

The combination of chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM and Bromelain can support healthy joints and may reduce pain in those with osteoarthritis and other inflammatory joint problems.

Some Nutrients for Liver Health – Simply explained

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver, kidney, and gall bladder problems. Several scientific studies suggest that snutrients in milk thistle (especially a flavonoid called silymarin) protect the liver from toxins, including certain drugs, which can cause liver damage in high doses. Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. And it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells.

Milk Thistle

Dandelion Root is widely recognised as a liver tonic as it nourishes the liver, and helps in improving the functioning of the kidneys.

 Artichoke is used to stimulate the flow of bile from the liver, and this is thought to help reduce the symptoms of heartburn and alcohol “hangover”.

Curcumin, the active ingredient in Tumeric, is a well-known and powerful anti-inflammatory and powerful antioxidant.

Some Nutrients for Energy – Simply explained

The berries of the Gurana plant that is found in the Amazon forests of Brazil and Venezuela are said to have a number of health benefits that include the increase energy levels; ability to burn fat; suppress hunger thereby helping weight loss; and encourage bowel movement.

Gurana

Before guarana became popular, ginseng was the most common herbal stimulant. Ginseng is also an appetite suppressant, which makes it ideal for dieters.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. L-Tyrosine is one of the most important amino acids, which is used in the synthesis of structural proteins. Although proteins are made up of different amino acids, tyrosine is considered to be the most important one, because it is used in the production of neurotransmitters. Tyrosine is in many protein rich foods – chicken as well as milk, yogurt, cheese and paneer (cottage cheese).

Taurine is an aminosulfonic acid that is one of the necessary building books for protein. Researchers believe that it may improve exercise performance. It is available in most meat proteins and dairy products.

In my next blog, I will write about something completely different, before returning to health.

– Vasant