Coenzyme Q10
The facts about coenzyme Q10
The newspapers and media seem to report a new health discovery each day. Whether it’s a statement about the food that you’re eating or the exercise that you’re not doing, it always seems that there’s something more you could be doing to improve your health. When coenzyme Q10 first arrived in the papers, people were skeptical about the supplement – could it really be as good as it seemed?
What it coenzyme Q10?
Coenzyme Q10 is an enzyme that you can take in a pill or gel tab form. An enzyme is a chemical that naturally occurs in the body and helps the body perform various functions in the body. When you have a reaction that needs to happen, an enzyme is what prods the process along and speeds it up – a catalyst. A coenzyme is when two enzymes are needed to create the reaction, so coenzyme Q10 is a helper enzyme in the body.
But what does it do?
There have been many studies done on the effects of coenzyme Q10 on the body. And while there are just as many that dispute the claims of benefits, there are some results that you may want to consider:
> Helps improve heart health
> Is thought to increase vitality
> Is an antioxidant
> May help in the prevention and treatment of some cancers
> Helps in cellular repair and regeneration
> Can help stimulate metabolism
> May be helpful for Parkinson’s patients
Overall, coenzyme Q10 is considered a supplement that helps the body maintain its youth and its energy. But should you be skeptical?
What the studies show
Many studies on the effects of coenzyme Q10 have been overwhelmingly positive. They have shown links between the purported benefits as well as the actual results. However, you will want to talk to your doctor before beginning a coenzyme Q10 supplementation program, in case you are on any medications that might interfere with the supplement or conversely, any reactions that the supplement might cause with your medications.
Some studies have shown that coenzyme Q10 has helped to slow the effects of Parkinson’s when taken on a daily basis, while others are showing that daily supplementation can also help lower blood pressure and risk of heart disease.
Is this the right medication for you?
Only you and your doctor can decide whether or not coenzyme Q10 is the right choice for your dietary needs, but with such positive studies and low incidence of side effects – this supplement seems to be doing more good than harm. Our bodies naturally produce this enzyme when we are young, but as we age, these levels diminish. The thought is that by supplementing with coenzyme Q10, we can restore our body to that youthful state where it can repair itself much more easily.
Coenzyme Q10 may cause stomach upset in some people, so taking it with foods is recommended. However, all in all, there are few side effects when taken within the 30 to 90 mg range.