How CoQ10 Affects The Body
As people get older, they tend to feel like they have less energy to do things. A lack of CoQ10 could be the answer to their problem as this nutrient has many health benefits and functions within your body. Continue reading to learn more about the health benefits of CoQ10, where you can find it, and any side effects that may come with it.
What Is CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q10, otherwise known as CoQ10 is mainly used to help generate energy inside of your cells. In the body, it is stored inside of the mitochondria of your individual cells. The mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell, as they are responsible for producing energy. In addition to helping to make energy within the mitochondria, CoQ10 also serves as an antioxidant to help protect the cells from free radicals. These free radicals damage the cells and other parts of the body when left unchecked. Your body is exposed to free radicals when it metabolizes foods, and when it comes in contact with pollutants and toxins such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, and UV light from the sun. Check out this article for more information on antioxidants.
Where Is It Found?
CoQ10 can be found in many different places. The human body usually produces plenty of CoQ10 on its own, however, as people age their ability to produce it can diminish. For this reason, it is important to be able to get CoQ10 from other sources outside the body. Food sources of CoQ10 include:
- Organ Meats: Heart, kidney, and liver
- Other Meats: Pork, chicken, and beef
- Fatty Fish: sardines, mackerel, and trout
- Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach
- Legumes: Soybeans & lentils
- Fruits: Strawberries & oranges
- Nuts & Seeds: Pistachios & sesame seeds
In addition to the above food sources of CoQ10, there are also supplements available for those who cannot eat these foods and cannot produce enough on their own. Here at Matsun Nutrition, we can help you create a custom CoQ10 formula to meet all of your needs. Please visit our website here to get a quote for your supplements.
Health Benefits of CoQ10
In addition to being stored in the mitochondria to help produce energy, CoQ10 has many other possible health benefits that can only be received by those who have enough of it in their bodies.
Heart Health
Heart failure is usually a consequence of other heart issues such as high blood pressure. When issues like high blood pressure affect the heart so often that it is unable to pump blood throughout the body, heart failure occurs. However, many studies have looked into whether or not CoQ10 may be able to help relieve these symptoms and help those with heart failure. In one study of 420 people with heart failure, participants were treated with CoQ10 for two years. After the two years, CoQ10 improved their symptoms and also reduced the risk of dying from heart problems. This is not the only study that shows the heart benefits of CoQ10. Another study of 641 people gave their participants a Coq10 supplement or a placebo for a year. In the end, the people in the CoQ10 group had been hospitalized less frequently for heart failure and other complications.
Skin Health
The skin is your body’s largest organ. It is also constantly exposed to things that can damage it and cause aging. In an attempt to protect against damage, many people take a CoQ10 supplement as it is an antioxidant that can protect against free radicals as mentioned above. Some people take this one step further and apply a cream or ointment with CoQ10 onto their skin. One review of multiple experiments showed that when applied to the skin, CoQ10 can help reduce oxidative damage caused by ultraviolet rays and decrease the depth of any wrinkles.
Brain Health
As previously mentioned, the mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cells with their main function being to produce energy. They also produce energy for brain cells. As people age, their mitochondria function can decrease. This can lead to brain cells dying and several serious brain diseases. One study in animals showed that CoQ10 may be able to reduce harmful compounds that damage brain cells. This, in turn, could help protect the brain from damage and slow the progression of some conditions.
Possible Side Effects & Concerns
Even though there are many health benefits of CoQ10, there are also some side effects to be cautious of. The Mayo Clinic states that “CoQ10 supplements appear to be safe and provide few side effects when taken as directed.” Some side effects you may encounter are:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
One thing to remember is that these are mild effects and there is not any serious side effect when taken as directed. Check with your doctor before starting any supplement so they can better advise you.
Conclusion
When it comes to the health benefits of Coq10 there are many that people can receive by simply taking in the nutrient. However, it is important to remember that there are some possible side effects and to talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement. If you are interested in contract manufacturing your own custom CoQ10 supplement through Matsun Nutrition, visit our website here or give us a call at (888) 866-5755.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25282031
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8241697
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10416055
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18560133
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-coenzyme-q10/art-20362602
