CoQ10, short for coenzyme Q10, is a substance naturally produced by the human body. Your cells use CoQ10 for growth and maintenance. CoQ10 can provide positive impacts to cardiovascular health. Because the heart is an energy-hungry muscle, insufficient energy may cause the heart to not function properly. Levels of CoQ10 in your body decrease as you age. CoQ10 levels have also been found to be lower in people with certain conditions, such as heart disease. It used by our cells to process energy and function properly. The body naturally produces CoQ10 in quantities sufficient to prevent deficiency in healthy individuals.

Why your body needs CoQ10:

Our cells use CoQ10 to help turn the energy we consume from carbohydrates into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the form of energy our cells can actually use to carry out many critical functions in the body. ATP is essential for healthy metabolism, bones, and neurological and muscle functioning. CoQ10 supplements can also help alleviate a CoQ10 deficiency, reduce frequency of migraine attacks and among patients with high blood pressure levels where low CoQ10 levels were noticeable. Anyone taking a statin drug to lower their cholesterol must take a CoQ10/ubiquinol supplement to protect their health, especially their heart health, as statins deplete your body of CoQ10.

CoQ10 may also help with:

• Improving skin: Your body’s CoQ10 levels decrease as you get older. Reduced CoQ10 levels can hamper the body’s ability to produce collagen and elastin. These two skin proteins are responsible for making the skin appear firm (collagen) and flexible (elastin), and without these proteins, your skin will wrinkle and sag.
• Promoting fertility: CoQ10 supplements may be utilized for improving fertility in men and women. Women who want to conceive must regulate their CoQ10 levels, as a recent study revealed that because of its antioxidant ability, it can help repair free radicals and improve egg quality and ovulation. Researchers also believe that CoQ10 can play a role in female fertility because of its role in energy production. As women age, CoQ10 levels in the body are reduced, decreasing energy resources that will help endure energy-consuming activities like fertilization and embryo development.

The best time to take CoQ10 would be with a meal containing healthy fats from sources like avocados, coconut oil or MCT oil, so the body can absorb CoQ10.

Other supplements to consider for heart health: Pantothenic Acid, Omega 3, Magnesium, Niacin, D-Ribose, Hawthorn