HOW COQ10 WORKS
CoQ10 helps cells make energy for the body from the food we eat. Its job is to make something called ATP, which is a lot like gas for your car. But it does more than just help fuel the body.
❤ Heart disease
❤ Cancer
❤ Type 2 diabetes
The amount of CoQ10 in the body can decrease with age and with some of the following problems:
❤ Heart failure
❤ Diabetes
❤ Parkinson’s disease
❤ Gum disease
Studies show that people who received CoQ10 right after a heart attack were less likely to have a second heart attack, and were less likely to die from heart disease than those who didn’t receive CoQ10.
HOW TO GET COQ10
The body makes CoQ10, but it’s also found in fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines), vegetable oils, meat and poultry. Small amounts are found in whole grains, milk, fruits and vegetables. Most people get enough CoQ10 through their diet, but supplements may help some people who have certain health problems, like heart failure.
COQ10 SUPPLEMENTS
It’s always a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before you try CoQ10 or any other type of supplement. Although CoQ10 looks like it may treat or manage some health conditions, there isn’t enough research to suggest that people should take CoQ10 regularly. You and your healthcare provider should weigh the pros and cons, consider your own health status and decide if CoQ10 is right for you. Finally, always tell your healthcare provider about any dietary supplements you take.
DIABETES A small number of studies show that CoQ10 may help improve A1C levels, while other studies show that CoQ10 has no effect on blood glucose control. CoQ10 may increase the risk for low blood glucose, so check with your healthcare provider before you try it as a supplement.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE CoQ10 may help lower both systolic and diastolic (the top and bottom numbers) blood pressure, but it can take several weeks to notice any effect. It shouldn’t be used as a treatment for high blood pressure, though. Beta blockers, a type of medicine used to treat high blood pressure, may deplete CoQ10 levels.
HEART DISEASE CoQ10 might lower heart disease risk because it boosts energy production within heart muscle cells and prevents blood clots from forming. With congestive heart failure, the heart becomes weak and can’t pump blood as well as it should. Heart failure can cause blood to build up in some parts of the body, such as the feet and legs. It can also lead to shortness of breath. Some studies show that CoQ10 may help reduce fluid buildup and improve breathing.
HIGH CHOLESTEROL CoQ10 levels tend to be lower in people with high cholesterol. Also, many people with high cholesterol levels take a medicine called a statin. Statins work well to lower LDL, or bad cholesterol, but they may block the body from making CoQ10. People who are over the age of 50, have diabetes, have a history of heart failure and use statins have a greater risk for lower CoQ10 levels. CoQ10 may also reduce muscle pain that can sometimes occur when one is taking statins.
GUM DISEASE CoQ10 levels tend to be low in people who have gum disease. In some studies, the gums of people who took CoQ10 as a supplement healed faster than those who did not take it.