It’s no secret that as you age your body faces more challenges than you saw in your younger years. Oxidative stresses, the negative effects from illness and disease, and age-related changes in your genes can make it more difficult to enjoy the health and vitality you once did.
One reason for these challenges is because as the years tick by, your natural levels of some nutrients begin to deteriorate. This is why many people experience what is often referred to as “premature aging.”
Coenzyme Q10 is such a nutrient. Commonly called CoQ10, with the scientific name ubiquinol, is a coenzyme found throughout the human body. This nutrient helps the mitochondria of cells transform the food you eat into the energy your body needs to function smoothly and effectively. With this understanding, it's easy to see why a deficiency of CoQ10 can cause health problems!
If your cells don't have enough energy for biochemical processes involved in keeping your body functioning properly, then these processes begin to slow down and you begin to age. Almost every cell in your body contains CoQ10. The liver and heart cells contain the greatest amount.
CoQ10 improves the function of mitochondria so that the cells can produce more energy. CoQ10 is the essential component for the chemical reactions that produce the energy you need. Additionally, it's a powerful antioxidant - meaning it takes care of the harmful free radicals your body generates during normal metabolism.
Health benefits of CoQ10.
There have been numerous international controlled studies, which establish that CoQ10 can significantly improve heart muscle function. This powerful nutrient is involved in the biochemical processes of not just your heart, but so many of your body’s systems. It is essential that you get enough CoQ10 to maintain your good health as well as to prevent many chronic degenerative and metabolic diseases .
As well as the cardiovascular benefits of CoQ10 supplementation, studies have shown that it helps with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. It's also been shown to benefit people with diabetes, muscular dystrophy, immune disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, periodontal disease, male infertility, and even HIV/AIDS.
Where is CoQ10 found naturally?
Your body is able to produce some of the CoQ10 you need on its own. When it comes to the foods you eat, CoQ10 is found primarily in meat and fish. The most beneficial food sources are beef meat and organs, fresh mackerel and sardines, lamb, pork, and eggs. Vegetable sources include wheat germ, broccoli, peanuts, spinach and whole grains. These foods must be fresh and unprocessed in order to be considered viable sources of CoQ10.
What about CoQ10 supplements?
Supplements are available in soft gel and capsule forms. The recommended dosage is about 30 to 90 mg per day, although people who have specific health problems may want to take a larger amount– about 100 mg three or four times a day. Always check with a qualified physician before taking any supplement, including CoQ10.
Many experts recommend CoQ10 be taken during meal times to improve absorption. CoQ10 is fat-soluble so it's not absorbed well from the gastrointestinal tract when taken on an empty stomach.
If you’re serious about helping your body meet the challenges of growing older, you owe it to yourself to find out more about what CoQ10 can do for you.
