For people with certain health problems can greatly benefit from the boost they get from a COQ10 supplement. This supplement doesn’t work equally for all people, so it’s good to know some essential facts before investing in it with hopes of boosting physical and mental energy.
How COQ10 Works
Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring antioxidant that occurs in all the cells of the human body. With increasing age, the amount of CoQ10 in the body decreases. CoQ10 is used by the body’s cells for maintenance, primarily for cellular growth and metabolism. CoQ10 levels are low in people who suffer from heart disease, certain types of cancer, type II diabetes, and those who take cholesterol-lowering drugs also called statins. Ubiquinone and ubiquinol are two types of Coenzyme Q10 that are found in all cells of the body. Ubiquinol has been shown to be the most effective of these particular enzymes to increase levels of energy, especially in older men.
COQ10 levels are highest in the cells of the heart, the liver, and the cells of the kidneys. Coenzyme Q10 is used by the entire body, but especially those vital organs, to protect those organ cells from damage caused by oxidation. COQ10 can be obtained through dietary means, and is found in certain nuts, fish, and meats, but is not found in sufficient quantities to improve energy levels in a real way.
Although COQ10 can greatly benefit the energy levels of people who are naturally deficient in Coenzyme Q10, and it has been shown in studies and in people’s experience to improve energy, very significantly in some cases. People who are already naturally deficient in Coenzyme Q10 are very unlikely to reap any benefits of improved energy from it.
People Who Most Benefit From COQ10
People With Certain Heart Conditions.
Congestive heart failure affects millions of people each year. Effects of CHF, as well as symptoms of heart valve disease (or people who have had heart valve replacement), can be improved with the concurrent use of CoQ10 with normal treatment of these problems.
Diabetics
Diabetics might benefit from COQ10 by reducing the effects of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) on the coronary arteries of diabetics. Although more studies need to be done, COQ10 might help diabetics with high LDLs reduce the amount of plaque formed in the coronary arteries, which leads to a heart attack.
People With Parkinson’s Disease
Some studies show that COQ10 might help some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Statin-Induced Myopathy
People who take statins for treatment of high cholesterol, and suffer from fatigue, may benefit from supplemental COQ10.
Migraine Headaches
Some sufferers of frequent migraine headaches take COQ10 because they feel it decreases their incidence of headaches, and there is research to support that.
When You Should Take It, And How Much
For use in concurrence with statin medications, a typical recommended dose is 30–200 mg per day.
For people with heart failure, heart valve disease or a history of angina, a typical dosage is 60–300 mg per day.
For migraine prevention, a typical recommended dose is 300–400 mg per day.
In the typical treatment of age-related loss of naturally occurring CoQ10, a recommended dose is 100–200 mg per day.
In the treatment of type II diabetes patients, a typical recommended dose is 100–300 mg of CoQ10 per day.
In general athletic performance (which has mixed results depending on medical history) a general recommended dose is 300 mg per day.
In Summary
COQ10 is an amazing supplement that potentially may help so many people with common health issues that more studies should be done to expand the knowledge we have about this elusive substance. It can be a life-changing supplement, given the potential benefits.
