WHAT IS COQ10? HOW CAN IT BENEFIT HEART HEALTH?
WHAT IS COQ10?
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a key antioxidant, that works to help defend your cells from free radical damage. These reactive oxygen species can accumulate in the body. Factors such as diet, stress, smoking, alcohol use, exercise, medications, and pollutant exposure can influence the rate of radical formation. Because these radical species can be detrimental to the human body, it is important to equip ourselves with the most advanced defense system in order to optimize our overall wellbeing.
COQ10 BENEFITS FOR HEART HEALTH
Our bodies are capable of naturally producing CoQ10. However, CoQ10 stores are limited and CoQ10 levels can decrease as we age. While meat, fish, and nuts are all helpful dietary sources of CoQ10, food alone is not sufficient to boost our CoQ10 levels. For this reason, supplementation poses a feasible way to help maintain CoQ10 levels in a healthy range.
COQ10 PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING HEART HEALTH BENEFITS:
Cardiovascular Support
CoQ10 helps support a healthy cardiovascular system
Combining CoQ10 + Carnitine supports healthy heart and blood vessel function. Cartinine is a powerful metabolic compound in the body that helps generate usable energy from fat. Together, these compounds work to provide overall cardiovascular support.
Energy Enhancement
CoQ10 aids in protecting our cells from oxidative stress and is an essential part of the heart’s energy producing system.
CoQ10 is an integral assistant for proper mitochondrial function. The mitochondria is responsible for producing free energy in the form of ATP. Cellular energy is primarily produced by means of a complex series of metabolic reactions reffered to as The Electron Transport Chain. Adequate CoQ10 allows optimized operation of our mitochondria, producing cellular energy to empower our bodies.
CoQ10’s antioxidant capabilities also help prevent oxidative radicals from building up in the mitochondria. By minimizing this free radical buildup, CoQ10 helps to maintain the cellular integrity our mitochondria. This action allows the mitochondria to stick to it’s main job: converting the food we eat, into the fuel we need.
Read More: HEART HEALTH INTERVIEW WITH DR. SINATRA, BOARD-CERTIFIED CARDIOLOGIST
Statin Support
CoQ10 is beneficial for those taking statin drugs. Statin medications are prescribed to help lower cholesterol levels. Consequently, these medications may reduce the natural amount of CoQ10 found within the body.
Supplementing with CoQ10 can help to replenship CoQ10 levels, however CoQ10 is not considered a statin replacement, nor will it help to lower cholesterol levels.
UBIQUINOL VS UBIQUINONE
CoQ10 can come in the form of either ubiquinone or ubiqinol. Ubiquinone is the precursor molecule to the active antioxidant form, ubiquinol. While ubiquinol is the ideal end product, it is typically a bit more costly and harder to find. The body is generally capable of reducing ubiquinone to uniquinol, however as we age, complications may arise. These include lower overall levels of both ubiquinol and ubiquinone, as well as a decreased rate at which our bodies convert ubiquinone into ubiquinol. Most dietary CoQ10 supplements provide ubiquinone which our bodies can convert into active ubiquinol.
4 TIPS FOR COQ10 SUPPLEMENTATION
- Consider Carnitine: Carnitine is another heart supporting compound that when added to CoQ10, serves to provide potential cardiovascular benefits. A number of supplements offer CoQ10 in combination with Carnitine for even greater blood vessel function.
- Take With Food: CoQ10 is fat-soluble, which means it is absorbed well when taken with food. Consider adding a daily CoQ10 supplement to your morning breakfast to easily make it part of your routine and promote the absorption potential of your supplement.
- Consider The Form of CoQ10: Ubiquinone is the typical form of supplemental CoQ10. This is a perfectly acceptable way for most people to support your CoQ10 levels. If you have low levels of CoQ10 or of an advanced age, you may want to consider seeking out a ubiquinol supplement.
- Try Different Delivery Formats: GNC offers CoQ10 supplements in a variety of delivery formats, depending on your preferences, such as capsules, gummies, liquid, and soft chews.
References
Sood B, Keenaghan M. Coenzyme Q10. StatPearls Publishing. 2022 . Published 2022 Jan. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531491/
