CoQ10 is part of the aerobic oxidative cycle in which carbohydrates, fatty acids and some amino acids produce cellular energy. CoQ10 also helps regulate the mitochondrial enzymes. However, its best known function is in myocardial metabolism. If CoQ10 levels in the heart drop to 25% of normal, the heart stops. Cardiac patients have been shown to have low levels of CoQ10, about 20-44% of normal. Japanese and other research studies have shown that CoQ10 supplements given for at least 30 days, can be beneficial in congestive heart failure patients. CoQ10 can also be useful in other types of heart disease and hypertension.

Further research has shown CoQ10 is, in addition, of therapeutic value in enhancing the immune function and healing periodontal disease. Care should be taken if one is taking "blood thinners" -- ask your M.D.

CoQ10 is found in many food stuffs and is also biosynthesized in mammalian tissues. The "normal" supplemental dosage is 30mg per day, although higher levels have been used in severe heart disease (in the range of 90-120mg per day).

Glutathione is incorrectly, sometimes called an amino acid. It is in fact a tripeptide, composed of the three amino acids - glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine.

Glutathione is protective against cellular damage caused by such agents as free radicals, it is involved in the recycling and regeneration of Vitamins C and E, after they have functioned as antioxidants and it also plays a role in the functioning of our immune systems.

WARNING: It should always be remembered that people who eat healthy diets and are in good health should not require supplements of any sort. Those who are ill should seek help from competent physicians and also disclose to them any known allergies, herbal remedies and all nutritional supplements they are taking.

Glutathione is best produced in our bodies by the feeding of a derivative of one of its precursors, namely, n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), together with lipoic acid and selenium. Glutathione, thus produced, has been used as one of the nutritional supplements in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's Disease and in the treatment of certain metal and chemical poisonings.

It is of interest to note that a derivative of the glutathione precursor, L-cysteine, is used, since high doses of L-cysteine are toxic. However the derivative, NAC is essentially non-toxic and itself has also been used as a nutritional supplement in the treatment of some viral infections and as an antioxidant in certain AIDS treatments. Lipoic acid is itself, a free radical scavenger and is both fat and water soluble (which is fairly rare). I will discuss selenium and its many uses, in detail, later in this series.

The glutathione in our bodies may also become depleted by the long term use of aspirin or other salicylate drugs and also during stress.

Glutathione is essentially non-toxic EXCEPT in persons with *true, insulin-dependent DIABETES* and in persons having CYSTINURIA, where there is a risk of forming cystine gallstones.

Now to the $64,000 (or is it now $6,400,000) question, how much of the three supplements, n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), lipoic acid and selenium, would I personally take per day?
If I wanted a brain-immune system boost, I would take:
n-acetyl-cysteine - 500mg on an empty stomach
Lipoic acid - 100mg with food
Selenium - 200ug (also called mcg) total for day including any and all supplements containing selenium.

If my body had a greater need for glutathione, such as in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I would take 1gm of n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), 200mg lipoic acid and 200mcg of selenium. *However, I would NOT take higher doses than this*, without detailed consideration of my total nutrition and other herbs and/or drugs being taken.