The Cognitive Benefits of Starting a CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) Supplement Regimen

What You Should Know About CoQ10

CoQ10 is one of many new supplements on the market. Our knowledge of the human body's inner workings has led to new options regarding health and longevity.

CoQ10 is an antioxidant that the human body produces naturally.

CoQ10 not only wards off damage from free radicals but is also an essential factor in the body's underlying metabolic processes.

Though the human body can produce its own CoQ10, there is much evidence that CoQ10 supplementation can benefit many people.

As with Vitamin D, Testosterone, and Human Growth Hormone, the human body slowly loses its ability to produce adequate levels of CoQ10 as we grow older, meaning that older patients may benefit significantly from increased CoQ10 consumption through diet or supplementation.

There are also many health issues that can deplete reserves of natural CoQ10, such as depression, heart disease, and diabetes.

CoQ10 also has a tremendous risk-reward ratio for patients interested in the nutritional supplement because the side effects, if any, are incredibly mild, meaning that there's a negligible risk for most patients interested in adding additional CoQ10 to their routine.

Why Do People Take CoQ10?

Many doctors and wellness specialists recommend that their patients increase their CoQ10 consumption for various reasons. Patients are often advised to take CoQ10 as an aspect of their blood pressure maintenance, as CoQ10 can help bring elevated blood pressure down to a healthier range, especially when combined with other changes and treatments.

CoQ10 is often billed as an energy supplement or included in supplemental energy formulations. The supplement can provide additional energy for patients with low CoQ10 levels, but for patients with normal CoQ10 levels, these benefits are believed to be negligible.

Many doctors prescribe CoQ10 for patients struggling with cardiac conditions or heart failure because there is modest evidence that CoQ10 supplementation can help reduce the risk of major heart events. CoQ10 should never be considered an alternative to other medications but used in conjunction with them.

More research needs to be conducted, but CoQ10 may benefit patients taking statins to control their cholesterol. Some patients experience liver issues and muscle pain resulting from their statin regimen, and CoQ10 may provide some relief from these medical problems.

One area in which CoQ10 supplementation is particularly exciting is for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. This condition has ravaged the minds of millions of patients, and scientists are working hard to find effective means to treat the disease. CoQ10 may have the ability to slow down the advance of Alzheimer's Disease.

CoQ10 is also a candidate for treating a range of other medical ailments. For example, CoQ10 may help prevent or reduce the frequency of migraine headaches. Researchers are also surveying CoQ10 for potential benefits for gum disease, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy, HIV, cancer, and more.

What is the Recommended Dosage for CoQ10?

Because CoQ10 is an upstart supplement, there are few guidelines regarding its ideal dosage. CoQ10 studies have used a wide range of doses, from as low as 50 milligrams to as much as 1200 milligrams.

CoQ10 supplements usually come in 100-200 mg doses. More extensive CoQ10 regimens are often split and taken multiple times per day. Talk to your nutritionist or doctor about how much and what formulation will benefit you the most for your money.

You should opt for a CoQ10 supplement offered in an oil-based capsule to get the most for your money. Powdered CoQ10 has a much lower bioavailability. Furthermore, you should take CoQ10 with meals, not on an empty stomach, because CoQ10 is a fat-soluble nutrient.

Ubiquinol vs. Ubiquinone

There are two primary forms of CoQ10 supplement, Ubiquinol, and Ubiquinone. Advertisers often tout one over the other, but medical trials have shown no appreciable difference in the bioavailability of these two forms of CoQ10.

Both are found naturally in the human body. Ubiquinone is the oxidized version of CoQ10 and is converted into Ubiquinol as needed by the body.

Natural Sources of CoQ10

There are many ways to increase your intake of CoQ10 naturally, both through meat and vegetable sources.

Coldwater fish such as mackerel, sardines, and herring are high in CoQ10, and beef products are also a reliable source of nutrients. Many vegetables provide CoQ10, such as cauliflower, broccoli, and spinach. Other quality sources include many seeds, nuts, and vegetable oils.

It's worth noting that even quality sources of CoQ10 don't provide the same levels of nutrients as CoQ10 supplements. For that reason, you likely want to include CoQ10 supplementation even if trying to increase your natural nutrient absorption.

What Are the Side-Effects of CoQ10

Most patients have a minimal downside to even aggressive CoQ10 supplementation. Reported CoQ10 Side-Effects include heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. Of course, as with any supplement, certain at-risk groups should be particularly cautious, such as those struggling with diabetes, liver problems, kidney issues, or heart failure.

It's also essential to recognize CoQ10's ability to lower blood pressure and blood sugar, which may not always be ideal.

CoQ10 Dosage of up to 300 mg has the lowest risk of side effects. Higher levels of supplementation may alter levels of certain liver enzymes. If you are currently on chemotherapy or are taking thyroid treatments or blood thinners, check with a medical professional before including CoQ10 in your daily regimen.

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