CoQ10, also known as ubiquinol, may have a strange-sounding name, but it’s an important compound found in every cell in your body. Not a vitamin, but a coenzyme, this fat-soluble nutrient is especially concentrated in tissues that require a lot of energy to function, such as your heart, liver, pancreas and kidneys.
How Does CoQ10 Work?
Inside your cells are small “power factories” called mitochondria, responsible for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), or cellular energy. CoQ10 – which is naturally made by the body – is required by cells to synthesize ATP. CoQ10 also functions as a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants, as you already may know, help protect healthy cells from free radical damage. (Free radicals are those pesky, unstable chemicals.)
How Do You Get It?
If you eat fish, meat and oils such as canola, sesame and soybean, you’re probably ingesting about 10 milligrams of CoQ10 a day. Many people choose to supplement with CoQ10 as a convenient way to increase their daily intake.
Why Supplement with CoQ10?
Even though your body makes it on its own, CoQ10 production naturally starts to slow as we age. Levels peak when we’re in our 20s, then gradually drop, leaving us with less CoQ10 than we had as infants by the time we’re 80! Other factors – like smoking or taking statin drugs for cholesterol, beta blockers for blood pressure or tricyclic antidepressants – can deplete levels. Besides replenishing body stores, you might consider supplementing with CoQ10 to boost your antioxidant status and to help support heart health.*
Which CoQ10 Supplements are Best to Take?
CoQ10 is typically manufactured through a unique fermentation process involving beets and sugar cane with yeast. You’ll find it as CoQ10 in varying milligram amounts to meet your needs (100 mg daily is ideal, along with eating a healthy, balanced diet with foods rich in CoQ10). It’s available in capsule, tablet, liquid and chewable forms.
Ubiquinol is another option. This reduced form of CoQ10 is considered closer to the form made naturally by our bodies and is typically better absorbed.
Looking for antioxidant support for your skin? Try a natural CoQ10 cream or serum, such as Avalon Organic CoQ10 Wrinkle Defense Night Cream. Besides CoQ10, it floods your skin with plant extracts, essential oil and natural sugar to re-energize skin cells and help improve appearance.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
