Coenzyme A - What is it? And background Informartion

What is it? And background Informartion

Coenzyme-A

What is Coenzyme-A

Coenzyme-A is the most active metabolic enzyme in the human body. It operates in the body's cells and blood where it is required to initiate more than 100 important processes in the body. One of the most crucial functions performed by Coenzyme-A is its initiation of the body's energy cycle (known vicariously as the ATp, TCA. Krebs, or citric acid cycle) which produces over 90% of the body's energy. Coenzyme-A is expended by these metabolic processes and constantly needs replenishing. Coenzyme-A, Coenzyme-Q1O and Coenzyme-1 (NADH)...are similar in that they are all metabolic enzymes responsible for energy production.
However, Coenzyme-A is the catalyst that initiates all other enzymatic and hormonal biochemical reactions in the cells including the chemical reactions involving Coenzyme-Q10 and NADH. In other words, if Coenzyme-A is not available in sufficient amounts then the human body cannot utilize Coenzyme-10, NADH and many of the other nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Why is it important to maintain a consistent supply of Coenzyme-A in your body

Coenzyme-A is required to metabolize fats, carbohydrates, and proteins and convert them into energy at the cellular level. When Coenzyme-A is lacking or blocked, the human, body cannot generate energy from the usual sources and may suffer from conditions known by such medical terms as chronic fatigue syndrome (CIS). This usually leads to less activity and eventually weight gain.
In addition, intermediate compounds, which accumulate when Coenzyme-A is lacking or blocked, poison other systems and lead to manifestations of other diseases. Symptoms of a deficiency of Coenzyme-A include; fatigue, depression, anxiety, loss of appetite, impaired sense of balance, easy irritability, cardiac instability, and abnormal need for sleep. Neurological disorders include; numbness, muscle weakness, cramps, and abdominal pain.
Clinical studies show that Coenzyme-A also plays a major role in the body's ability to cope with stress and strengthen the immune system.
Stress contributes to the three leading causes of death; cancer, heart attack, and stroke. Studies also show that stress deteriorates the immune system. A healthy immune system is vital for defense against infections, diseases, premature death and the effects of aging.
In combating stress, the body secretes hormones known as glucocortiocids from the adrenal glands as a means to adapt to stress; this is commonly known as the fight or flight reaction. These hormones are derivatives of cholesterol and an increased demand for them will draw on the available Coenzyme-A. Lipid (fat) metabolism and energy production therefore may be compromised, rendering the body more prone to depleted energy, weight gain, acne, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, heart attack, stroke and other diseases. The problems that most people have with metabolizing fat are often the result of poor nutrition, which usually is compounded by poisoning from environmental toxins.
Coenzyme-A is among the more vulnerable targets for toxic metals and fat-soluble environmental toxins. Individuals who have a shortage or blockage of Coenzyme-A cannot convert dietary lipids (fats) from animals and plants into human fat compositions that can be metabolized. If fat cannot be metabolized due to a shortage or blockage of Coenzyme-A then the fat simply accumulates. Having accumulated fat deposits that cannot be metabolized and converted into energy leads to stress, low energy, depression, anxiety, fatigue, obesity and manifestations of other diseases. Coenzyme-A also enhances physical performance. When people perform or exercise intensely, they quickly face a demand for energy that is greater than the amount of oxygen available to produce it. In order to continue to produce energy under these conditions, the human body uses relatively inefficient anaerobic metabolism (metabolism that takes place in the absence of free oxygen). Coenzyme-A supplies key nutrients the body needs to release energy anaerobically (from glycogen).

The importance of Coenzyme-A in per-menopausal and menopausal women:

Research shows that hormonal changes and chemical imbalances in perimenopausal and menopausal women contributes to higher levels of cholesterol, increased fat storage, acne, stress, anxiety and depression. Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in men and women. Their incidence, rapidly growing in the perimenopausal and menopausal period, is related to increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

The body has a natural tendency to store away any excess calorie intake in its fat depot, which increases in perimenopausal and menopausal women. Coenzyme-A is the key that unlocks this fat depot and is the agent that converts the stored fat into energy through lipid metabolism, which reduces cholesterol and triglycerides by increasing fat uti-lization. The cumulative effects of 30 years or so of reproductive cycles reduces the availability of Coenzyme-A from the body's total Coenzyme-A pool. Each reproductive cycle depletes some Coenzyme-A from a resource that is very often deficient from the start. Added to this is pregnancy and nutri-tional deficiencies. Both of these deplete even more Coenzyme-A allowing the deficiency to become even more severe. This is why many women gain a significant amount of weight after having children and also when they are peri--menopausal and menopausal. Their Coenzyme-A pool is dwindling! As indicated above, enzymatic deficiency occurs with age, but it is primar-ily a result of poor nutrition and/or a toxic condition that reduces the body's ability to synthesize and utilize Coenzyme-A. Regular supplementation of Coenzyme-A can streamline the metabolism, increase energy production, support the adrenal glands, facilitate the repair/manufacture of RNA, DNA, connective tissue and cartilage, help process fats and remove toxins from the body, reduce cholesterol and triglyc-erides, boost the immune system and improve overall physical and mental per-formance.

References: 1. Erika Schwartz, M.D., and Carol Colmnn, authors of Natural Energy: From Tired to Terriffic in lO Days. 2. Knight G. 0., ph.D.; A Waist Is a Terrible Thing To Mind: Medical Hypothesis 1998. 3. Leung, L. H., M.D.; pantothenic Acid as a Weight Reducing Agent: Fasting Without Hunger, Weakness, Ketosis: Medical Hypothesis 1995; 44, 403, 405. 4. Binaghi p. Ceilina G, Lo Cicero G. et al. Evaluation of the cholesterol-lowering effectiveness pantethine in women in primenopausal age. Minerva Med 1990; 81, 475-479. 5. Robinshaw, J.D. & Neely, J.R.; Coenzyme-A Metabolism; American Journal of physiology 1985; 248: E1-E9. 6. Kunz, J.R. M., M.D.; The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide; Radom House Inc.; 1982.