Coenzyme Q10, shortened to CoQ10, is used by the body to create energy at the cell level. CoQ10 has many roles and benefits within the body.
CoQ10 is produced naturally by the body and decreases overtime as you get older. This is where CoQ10 supplements become more necessary as part of your daily routine. CoQ10 can also be found in certain natural foods.
When your natural levels of CoQ10 decrease, you are at greater risk of certain disease like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and brain ailments. CoQ10-benefits1
Let's get into the science behind the renowned compound known as CoQ10.
What Is CoQ10?
The cells in the body depend on mitochondria which are responsible for creating the energy to perform functions necessary for life. CoQ10 resides within these mitochondria and is a large part of this energy creating process. CoQ10-benefits2
The mitochondria are also responsible for protecting the cells from harmful viruses and bacteria as well as oxidative damage. CoQ10-benefits3
There are a few reasons behind age that could cause CoQ10 deficiency.
- Nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B6 deficiency
- Genetic defects in CoQ10 synthesis or utilization
- Increased demands by tissues as a consequence of disease
- Mitochondrial diseases
- Oxidative stress due to aging
- Side effects of statin treatments
One way CoQ10 is able to reduce certain risks by protecting the cells in the body from oxidative damage and stress. CoQ10-benefits5
Without protection against oxidative stress, free radicals ravage the body and destroy cells which can lead to many different diseases as well as premature aging. This helps explain the reason low levels of CoQ10 may lead to increased health risks in the future. CoQ10-benefits6
CoQ10 and ATP production
A main function of coq10 is the creation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is responsible for the transfer of energy between cells. CoQ10-benefits7
CoQ10 is active in every cell in the body and even more so in crucial organs that need to perform daily functions necessary for life. CoQ10-benefits8
Now that you know a little bit about what CoQ10 is, let's get into the top 10 benefits.
1. Heart Health
CoQ10 is deeply involved with every cell in the body, especially when is comes to the heart. CoQ10 provides much needed energy and cell protection against certain heart diseases which could lead to heart failure and further complications.
Heart failure is due to the heart muscle inability to efficiently pump blood. CoQ10-benefits9
Treatment with increased doses of CoQ10 may be able to aid in heart failure. A study of 420 patients diagnosed with heart failure found that treatment with CoQ10 for a period of 2 years improved the symtoms of the patients and decreased the risk of death from heart failure. CoQ10-benefits10
Another study over a one year period found similar results. Out of 641 patients diagnosed with heart failure, this treated with CoQ10 had less hospital visits for heart failure than their placebo group counterparts. CoQ10-benefits11
CoQ10 may be a beneficial treatment for those with heart failure than other modern treatments. Some other treatments may actually lead to further reduced levels of CoQ10. CoQ10-benefits12
2. Fertility
The ability to procreate starts to lose ground on both female and male sides as the body ages. Natural CoQ10 levels decrease and oxidative damage begins to take it's toll on female egg production as well as male sperm production. CoQ10-benefits13, CoQ10-benefits14
In studies CoQ10 supplements have proven to be an effective way to reverse this aging process and improve protection over the fertility in both females and males. CoQ10-benefits15
3. Youthful Skin
Your skin shows your overall health. What you eat directly effects your skin and how well you age. Oxidative damage that occurs overtime from free radicals inside the body and UV rays from the sun outside the body directly attack your youthful appearance and health. CoQ10-benefits16
As you age your skin is attacked both inside and out so it's important to provide as much antioxidant protection as you can. The skin get's thin overtime and loses moisture but there are ways to combat this process. CoQ10-benefits17
CoQ10 has shown positive skin protection results when applied directly to the skin. CoQ10 does so by acting as a powerful antioxidant while promoting energy within the skin cells. CoQ10-benefits18
When applied to the skin CoQ10 can help prevent wrinkles and sun damage overtime. Applying CoQ10 may be able to help prevent skin cancer from sun damage as well. CoQ10-benefits19, CoQ10-benefits20
4. Migraine Alleviation
The cells in the brain rely on the mitochondria to produce energy just like any other cell in the body. A malfunction in this process could lead to an increase in calcium uptake and free radicals. This could set a chain reaction off creating symptoms of low energy and migraines. CoQ10-benefits20
A direct way to combat this is through CoQ10 as it relates directly to mitochondria energy production. CoQ10 helps the proper function of the mitochondria and aids in reducing the inflammation associated with migraines. CoQ10-benefits21
CoQ10 may be able to treat current migraines and may have the ability to prevent future migraines. CoQ10-benefits22
In a study where 42 people who suffer from migraines took CoQ10 versus a placebo group, it was found that the CoQ10 group had 3 times less migraines that the placebo group. CoQ10-benefits23
Another study found that in a group of 1,550 people who suffer migraines and were CoQ10 deficient, overall had less migraines and decreased severity when given CoQ10. CoQ10-benefits24
5. Improve Athletic Performance
Athletic performance comes down to a cellular level so it's important for cells ti have everything they need to be functioning properly. Oxidative free radicals can directly effect the ability of muscle cells to perform their tasks. CoQ10-benefits25
The energy within muscle cells relies directly on the mitochondria to create the energy needed efficiently. Sufficient mitochondria activity with a proper amount of CoQ10 is needed for muscle to contract effectively during exertion. CoQ10-benefits26
CoQ10 is able to aid in all of these muscle energy needs as well as protect the muscle cells from free radicals in the body. CoQ10-benefits27
A study looking at CoQ10's effect on oxidative stress found that the subjects who took 1,200 mg CoQ10 supplements daily for a period of 2 months found that overall oxidative stress lessened. CoQ10-benefits28
When taking CoQ10 supplements there can be a noticeable increase in endurance and energy. CoQ10-benefits29
6. Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that can be caused from years of free radicals destroying cells and their functions. This damage can lead to insulin resistance and further medical problems as cells in the body cannot function properly. CoQ10-benefits30
In studies CoQ10 has been able to improve blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. CoQ10-benefits31
CoQ10 supplements are an effective way to raise the levels in the blood when deficient. CoQ10-benefits32
A study over the course of 12 weeks found that participants with type 2 diabetes that took CoQ10 reduced fasted blood sugar levels as well as hemoglobin A1C. CoQ10-benefits33
CoQ10 has a profound effect on fat cells as it aids in the breakdown of these fats and decreases the overall accumulation of fat that could attribute to obesity. CoQ10-benefits34
7. Reduced Cancer Risk
When cells are damaged overtime from free radicals their function decreases and the risk for certain diseases goes up. Cancer is one of these diseases that can occur from oxidative stress. CoQ10-benefits35
Cancer occurs when there is uncontrollable division and growth of cells. When healthy cells are damaged the way they function becomes chaotic and can lead to this uncontrollable division. CoQ10-benefits36
In studies CoQ10 has been able to help protect cells from free radicals cause by oxidative stress and promote the longevity and structural integrity of the cells in the body. This helps reduce the risk of these cancer risks. CoQ10-benefits37
Having a CoQ10 deficiency has been linked to around a 53% increased cancer risk and overall cancer diagnosed patients have shown a deficiency in their levels of CoQ10. CoQ10-benefits38
One study found that CoQ10 supplements may be able to reduce the risk of cancer returning once eradicated. CoQ10-benefits39
8. Brain Health
The proper function of the mitochondria is essential for good brain health. As the body ages the function of the mitochondria decreases causing brain cell death. This leads to a higher risk of developing age related brain diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimers. CoQ10-benefits40
CoQ10 may be able to prevent or slow the progression of age related brain diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimers. The brain is affected significantly by free radicals over time so it is essential to provide it with the right protection. CoQ10-benefits41, CoQ10-benefits42
9. Lung Protection
Oxidative damage happens all throughout the body, but not near the amount as within the lungs as these obviously come into contact with large amounts of oxygen all of the time. A deficiency in antioxidants like CoQ10 can lead to certain diseases in the lungs like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). CoQ10-benefits43
A deficiency in CoQ10 has been linked in those who are diagnosed with these lung diseases. CoQ10-benefits44
One study found that CoQ10 can aid in treating lung ailments such as asthma by reducing the inflammation and decreasing the need for addition medicine treatment. CoQ10-benefits45
An additional study found that CoQ10 supplements increased tissue oxygen and a healthier heart rate in individuals who were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This lead to better athletic performance. CoQ10-benefits46
10. Easy To Take
CoQ10 supplements are widely available all over the world and online. Getting sufficient CoQ10 levels is as easy as taking a pill. There are also many healthy foods that contain this natural antioxidant compound. Some of these foods that are great sources of CoQ10 include:
- Organ meats: Heart, liver and kidney
- Some muscle meats: Pork, beef and chicken
- Fatty fish: Trout, herring, mackerel and sardine
- Vegetables: Spinach, cauliflower and broccoli
- Fruit: Oranges and strawberries
- Legumes: Soybeans, lentils and peanuts
- Nuts and seeds: Sesame seeds and pistachios
- Oils: Soybean and canola oil
CoQ10 Dosage
There are 2 forms of CoQ10 which are ubiquinol and ubiquinone. Ubiquinol is the most easily absorbed form and is the best form when taking it as a supplement. CoQ10-benefits47
It is recommended to take anywhere from 90 mg to 200 mg of CoQ10 daily.
Taking CoQ10 with food can help your body absorb it more efficiently as CoQ10 is fat soluble. CoQ10-benefits48
CoQ10 Side Effects
Larger doses were used in studies without any negative side effects. CoQ10-benefits49
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