Idebenone
Idebenone is a synthetic variant of Coenzyme Q10. Idebenone has all the noted qualities of CoQ10 without the disadvantages. In other words, Idebenone does not become a pro-oxidant under ischemic or hypoxic conditions (unlike CoQ10), but continues to provide antioxidant qualities. Idebenone has excellent free-radical scavenging qualities and provides serious protection to mitochondria and the myelin sheath. An interesting point to note: Idebenone is used as the anti-oxidant of choice in the transportation of donor organs.
In addition to the known beneficial qualities of CoQ10, Idebenone has been shown to enhance serotonin production and increase catecholamine production, providing improvement in cognition and having anti-depressive qualities.
Furthermore, Idebenone has stimulated nerve growth factor (NGF) and improved choline-acetyltransferase activity in rats. Specifically, after 21-days of continuous Idebenone supplementation, the NGF brain levels of aged rats increased to an amount similar to that in young rats.
As a result of these studies, Idebenone is now being used in European studies for the treatment of senile dementia, in particular Alzheimer's disease.
Idebenone acts like CoQ10 in the electron transport chain, providing valuable anti-oxidant protection to mitochondria and the organs. As a water and fat-soluble free-radical scavenger, Idebenone provides anti-oxidant protection even under hypoxic or ischemic conditions. Studies indicate that Idebenone is between 30 and even up to 100 times more effective than vitamin E or vinpocetine.
Idebenone inhibits lipid peroxidation, and protects the neuronal membrane and mitochondria from the damage caused by lipo-peroxide products. Idebenone also enhances cholinergic nerve function and increases cellular catecholamine production, (by enhancing the cellular uptake of the precursor amino acid-tyrosine).
Idebenone enhances long-term potentiation in hippocampal nerve cells; restores brain glucose utilization and ATP production. Interestingly, Idebenone also appears to act in a similar fashion to the nootropic drugs, (such as piracetam) - by enhancing general cerebral metabolism and promoting information transfer across the corpus callosum.
Idebenone may be one of the most interesting and efficacious anti-aging drugs of recent times. Considering the wide-spread benefits of CoQ10, Idebenone, with its enhanced and additional features must rank near the top for persons serious about anti-aging medicine.
Lastly, Idebenone stimulates the production of nerve growth factor, which in turn improves the production of neurons in the magnocellular cholinergic neuronal system, an area affected by Alzheimer's disease.
DOSAGE
Idebenone is normally taken orally, after meals, at a dosage of between 30mg to 45mg one to three times daily. Persons treating MS, Alzheimer's disease, stroke etc. may require 90mg two or three times daily (some studies have used up to 3g daily for Alzheimer's disease).
