If you’ve been hearing about new research on CoQ10 benefits, you’re probably wondering “what is CoQ10? And what can it do for me?”
Coenzyme Q10, commonly known as CoQ10, is a vitamin-like substance that occurs naturally in every cell of the human body. Science is discovering that CoQ10 benefits include everything from helping prevent heart attacks and high blood pressure to treating Parkinson’s disease, managing diabetes, increasing energy and stamina, boosting immunity, and even losing weight.
How does it work? CoQ10 is essential to the production of energy at the cellular level, and the organs that use the most energy (like the heart and liver) have the highest concentrations of CoQ10. The actual “work” that CoQ10 does takes place in a part of every cell called the mitochondria, and its job is to help transform fats and sugars into energy.
Extensive research has shown that adequate amounts of CoQ10 are necessary to healthy metabolism and organ function. CoQ10 supplements are often prescribed to aid in recovery from heart surgery, and there is a mounting body of evidence that CoQ10 can play a substantial part in preventing heart disease as well as in the treatment and prevention of a number of age-related disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, macular degeneration, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Ongoing research is currently evaluating the use of CoQ10 in the treatment of migraines, asthma, breast and prostate cancer, and HIV/AIDS.
If it’s a natural part of every cell, why would I need a coQ10 supplement?
The body’s production on CoQ10 decreases as we age. Normal aging can reduce the CoQ10 levels in the heart by as much as 72%. In addition, a group of frequently-prescribed drugs knows as statins (used to reduce LDL and cholesterol levels) also deplete CoQ10 levels.
The side effects of CoQ10 are mild (nausea, diarrhea, and heartburn) and rarely reported, though CoQ10 supplementation has been known to interfere with the action of some prescription drugs such as blood thinners and beta-blockers.
But I’m healthy and I feel great. Do I still need CoQ10?
If you’re middle-aged or older, CoQ10 benefits are particularly important and supplemental CoQ10 can be crucial to maintaining good health. While CoQ10 has been shown to be an effective form of treatment for some disorders, the most dramatic reseach results have been in the area of prevention. Not only is maintaining good CoQ10 levels a requisite for ongoing heart health throughout middle age and beyond, it is also believed to be among the keys to the prevention of an assortment of age-related disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
