CoQ10, i.e., Coenzyme Q10 is a compound that helps produce energy in the cells. It is actually a vital nutrient that works as an antioxidant in the body. As a matter of fact, our body makes this compound naturally, but that usually decreases with age.
This compound has been used in medicine for many years, mainly to help to treat heart issues.
Yes, the good news is that we can get this enzyme from foods or supplements. We should do that in case of CoQ10 deficiency. However, this compound comes with many benefits as well. Read on to find out more.
Causes of CoQ10 Deficiency
- Oxidative stress because of aging;
- Mitochondrial diseases;
- Nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B6 deficiency;
- Genetic defects in CoQ10 utilization or synthesis.
Benefits of CoQ10
1. Helps with High Blood Sugar Levels
Oxidative stress might prompt cell damage, and that can lead to metabolic diseases such as diabetes. Also, the abnormal mitochondrial function links to insulin resistance.
And CoQ10 can help regulate blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity. CoQ10 supplements might increase the concentrations of this compound in the blood up to 3 times in those who have high blood sugar levels and who usually show low levels of CoQ10.
In addition, one study gave this CoQ10 supplement to people with the condition for 12 weeks. The result was reduced hemoglobin A1C and fasting blood glucose levels.
Last but not least, this compound might prevent the condition by activating the breakdown of fat and lowering the accumulation of fat cells which might cause type 2 diabetes and obesity.
2. Help Treat Heart Failure
Heart failure often occurs because of other heart conditions like high blood pressure and coronary artery diseases. Some treatments for heart failure might lead to even lower levels of CoQ10.
In one study around 420 people who had heart failure got CoQ10 treatment for 2 years. The result was improved symptoms and a lower risk of dying from heart issues.
In addition, another study treated around 641 people with the CoQ10 treatment for one year. According to the results of the study, the people had fewer severe complications. Also, the people had been hospitalized less for worsening heart failure.
This shows that the CoQ10 treatment might help improve heart function, restore the optimal levels of production of energy, and lower oxidative damage. And all of that can help treat heart failure.
A lot of people take CoQ10 supplements to help treat high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and atherosclerosis.
3. Protect the Lungs
From all organs in the body, the lungs are those who have lost contact with oxygen. Therefore they are more prone to oxidative damage.
As a matter of fact, low levels of this compound, poor antioxidant protection, and increased oxidative damage in the lungs might lead to lung diseases such as COPD, i.e., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
Moreover, people who have these conditions have lower CoQ10 levels. According to one study, CoQ10 supplements lowered inflammation in those with asthma, and also decreased the need for steroid drugs in order to treat it.
Furthermore, according to another study CoQ10 supplements helped improve the exercise performance in those with COPD. These people had better heart rate and tissue oxygenation after taking CoQ10.
4. Keep the Skin Young
The skin is actually the largest organ in the body. Therefore, it’s exposed to damaging agents which can cause aging. These damaging agents might be external or internal.
External factors are UV rays, and internal factors are hormonal imbalances and cellular damage. These harmful elements might cause thinning of the skin layers and reduced moisture of the skin.
Using CoQ10 directly on our skin might lower the damage from the external and internal agents by promoting antioxidant protection and increasing the production of energy in the skin cells.
It has been shown that using CoQ10 directly on the skin can decrease the depth of wrinkles and reduce the oxidative damage by the UV rays.
5. Helps Slow Down the Effects of Aging
The tissue levels of CoQ10 decline with age and that can lead to a decrease in the energy metabolism and degeneration of some organs like the skeletal muscle, heart, and liver.
According to researchers, supplementing with CoQ10 might help slow down the increase related to age in DNA damage which naturally affects people.
How to Increase CoQ10 the Natural Way
CoQ10 is part of many foods, in order to increase its levels all we need to do is to include CoQ10 rich foods in our diet.
We should eat more fish, meat, and poultry and the vegetarian options are vegetables, beans, nuts, dairy products, and eggs. Also, there are other foods that have CoQ10.
Foods Rich in CoQ10 Are:
- Mackerel;
- Herring;
- Sardines;
- Chicken;
- Eggs;
- Rainbow trout;
- Strawberries;
- Sesame seeds;
- Oranges;
- Pistachio nuts;
- Cauliflower;
- BroccolI.
When it comes to taking supplements, the best thing to do would be to consult our doctor. In fact, in that way, we will get the proper dosage we need.
