What are the health benefits of Coenzyme Q10?
Health Benefits of CoEnzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, is an enzyme that helps generate energy in your cells. Coenzyme Q10 acts as a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from the effects of aging.
Coenzyme Q10 has anti-inflammatory properties also been used in medical practices for decades, especially for treating heart problems.
Coenzyme Q10 is naturally present in the human body with the highest levels in the heart, liver, kidneys and pancreas, however, the production tends to decrease with age.
Some causes of low Coenzyme Q10 levels, besides aging, include genetic defects, nutritional deficiencies, high levels of oxidative stress, mitochondrial diseases, taking statin drugs and having chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and or congestive heart failure.
Certain foods contain CoQ10, including: eggs, nuts, chicken, whole grains, oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, organ meats such as liver, hearts or brain.
Coenzyme Q10 is available as a supplement and can be helpful if there’s a Coenzyme Q10 deficiency.
Coenzyme Q10 may help treat heart failure. Studies have shown that people who consumed Coenzyme Q10 supplements had a decreased risk of dying and greater improvement in exercise capacity compared to those who took a placebo. Coenzyme may help decrease oxidative stress and enhance heart function which can help improve treatment outcomes of heart failure.
Coenzyme Q10 may also improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels. Coenzyme Q10 may also reduce muscle pain from statins. Coenzyme Q10 may also improve blood pressure levels.
Coenzyme Q10 may also help improve female and male fertility. Consuming Coenzyme Q10 supplements may help and reverse age-related decline in egg quality and quantity. Studies have also shown that consuming Coenzyme Q10 may improve sperm quality, activity and concentration by increasing antioxidant protection.
Coenzyme Q10 may also help with erectile dysfunction. Studies have shown that men who had mild erectile dysfunction and had high blood pressure who consumed 200mg daily of Coenzyme Q10 for 3 months along with their high blood pressure medications, showed an improvement in their erectile dysfunction, with 20.1%. no longer experiencing symptoms.
Coenzyme Q10 may also reduce migraine headaches. Studies have shown that people with migraines who consumed CoQ10 supplements for 3 months experienced improvements with their headaches.
Coenzyme Q10 may also protect damage against the skin. Studies have shown that applying Coenzyme Q10 directly to the skin may help reduce oxidative damage caused by UV rays and help decrease wrinkles.
Coenzyme Q10 may also improve periodontal (gum) disease. Studies have shown that consuming Coenzyme Q10 reduced gingival inflammation.
Coenzyme Q10 may also improve exercise performance, promote brain health and help decrease fibromyalgia symptoms.
Coenzyme Q10 may have some side effects including, fatigue, headache and dizziness, skin itching, rashes, irritability, upper abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and or diarrhea.
Coenzyme Q10 may interact with certain medications, including blood thinning drugs.
As always consult with your physician.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4576635/
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/coenzyme-q10
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coenzyme-q10