Other Micronutrients

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Phytonutrients
Flavonoids
Carotenoids
Lycopene
Lutein

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like compound. It functions in the production of energy within the cell, and has antioxidant properties. (Refer to Free Radicals and Antioxidants in PART I: Nutrition Primer.) Its' other names is "ubiquinone" meaning "everywhere" because it is synthesized in all cells of all organisms. Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant.

Research into the health benefits of CoQ10 began just a few years ago, and the results to date have been of great interest and relevance. More is being added to our knowledge of CoQ10 very quickly, and new findings are reported in both the technical and popular media. Results at this point would still have to be considered preliminary.

On the other hand, this research has raised no safety concerns. Adverse effects reported in the medical research papers are very few and no one has ever been advised to discontinue CoQ10 supplementation. Medical intervention has never been required to treat any adverse effects.

Phytonutrients
Human nutrition is an active area of research. New methods and more precise tools have been applied in recent years to this as to other aspects of medical science, and many new and interesting things have been found. A number of compounds and groups of compounds have been discovered that have salutary effects on health. Although the exact mechanism, or even which compound(s) are responsible for which effects, are far from fully understood. In almost all cases, these compounds originate in plants, and so are called "phytochemicals". Many of these substances are being investigated for possible health benefits. Following is a brief summary of some current knowledge about phytochemicals.

Flavonoids
The flavonoids are a very large class of plant-produced chemicals that are responsible, among other things, for many of the colours of flowers and fruits. Over 4000 different flavonoids are known, and have been identified as the active principle of many medicinal herbs. Flavonoids have a variety of physiological effects, including antioxidant properties, and anti-inflammatory effects. Bioflavonoids found in the rinds of citrus fruit help maintain the integrity of the walls of the capillaries (the smallest blood vessels, where most of the gas exchange takes place).

Carotenoids
Carotenoids occur abundantly in many kinds of vegetables and fruits. Of about 600 carotenoids known to occur in food plants, about 400 have been named and described. Many carotenoids, including betacarotene, are converted to vitamin A as required in the body. Some of the benefits of carotenoids come from their antioxidant activity. Different carotenoids seem to have organ-specific activity, eg, lycopene. Research is ongoing to elucidate the mechanisms of their other known health benefits.

Lycopene
Lycopene is a carotenoid found exclusively in tomatoes. There is considerable evidence that lycopene has strong antioxidant properties.

Lutein
Some studies suggest that lutein, a carotenoid, may have health benefits for the eye.

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