What Is Coenzyme Q10, and Should You Be Taking It?

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Have you ever heard of Coenzyme Q10? It’s better known as CoQ10 and it’s an essential compound or enzyme that every body needs. That’s why it actually is found naturally occurring in the body! It is essential for daily function but also has some great benefits besides helping your body with mere survival. That’s why some people choose to take CoQ10 supplements to up their Coenzyme Q10 levels.

Should you be taking Coenzyme Q10? Whether you could use some added energy or are pursuing something like relief from hair loss or better fertility chances, this unsuspecting compound may just be the miracle cure you’re looking for.

In this article, we’ll explain all you need to know about Coenzyme Q10. We’ll also explain where you can find Coenzyme Q10 so that you can score some for yourself.

Ready to learn all there is to know about this miracle cure enzyme? Read on!

What is Coenzyme Q10?

What is Coenzyme Q10? Where does it come from? Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient or compound produced in the liver. It occurs naturally in the body but is also found in many of the foods we consume. It uses vitamins B and C as well as folic acid and minerals, and is a vitamin-like compound itself.

Some foods are also a good source of Coenzyme Q10. These include oily cold water fish (such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, and sardines), whole grains, and meats (especially organ meats, such as liver). Of course, the amount of CoQ10 found in foods tends to be much lower than the amounts found in supplements.

Some evidence suggests that Coenzyme Q10 levels decrease with age, as the body begins to produce less Coenzyme Q10 and also begins to absorb less Coenzyme Q10 from food. If you’re not getting enough Coenzyme Q10 from your diet or are getting up there in age, it may be a good idea to start taking Coenzyme Q10 supplements.

What’s So Great About CoQ10?

The latest research on Coenzyme Q10 suggests that this simple nutrient may be able to improve everything from energy levels to skin care, fertility, hormones, metabolic effects, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, heart health, and more. Because Coenzyme Q10 is important in the body’s production of ATP, which is what all cells rely on in order to function, having enough of it is important for energy levels and therefore physical performance in sports or exercise activities.

In fact, some of the information out there today suggests that everyone could be taking Coenzyme Q10 on a daily basis for the sake of their overall health. You can check out the video If You Take Coenzyme Q10 Everyday This Is What Happens To Your Body on YouTube to learn more. Some even claim that Coenzyme Q10 can help to prevent cancer because it has antioxidant and cell protection properties, as well as anti-aging benefits and encouraging cell growth. It may also serve to boost the immune system.

What all can CoQ10 do for you? According to WebMD, “Though still controversial, some preliminary evidence suggests that CoQ10 may help to prevent or treat the adverse effects, such as muscle pains and liver problems, of taking statin-type cholesterol drugs. Preliminary studies have shown that CoQ10 may slow, but not stop, the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Additional research is needed to confirm this effect.

CoQ10 has also been studied as a preventive treatment for migraine headaches, though it may take several months to work. It was also been studied for low sperm count, cancer, HIV, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, gum disease, and many other conditions. However, the research has not found any conclusive benefits. Although CoQ10 is sometimes sold as an energy supplement, there is no evidence that it will boost energy in a typical person.”

Does everyone need to be taking Coenzyme Q10? Not necessarily. In many cases, your body is producing enough Coenzyme Q10 on its own. Not everyone needs to supplement their diet with Coenzyme Q10 pills. However, research suggests that it probably couldn’t hurt to do so -- that having an added dose of Coenzyme Q10 in your daily diet could actually offer some benefits, even if you already have a healthy amount in your body being produced on its own.

In addition, you certainly want to a CoQ10 deficiency. A lack of Coenzyme Q10 is not good because it can compromise cell function. People with certain diseases and conditions are especially at risk for this. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, Parkinson’s disease, gum disease, or are taking statins that lower your cholesterol levels, then you need to watch that your CoQ10 levels don’t drop too low.

There are some drug interactions that you need to be aware of before taking CoQ10, and certain conditions pose a greater risk to people considering a CoQ10 regimen. Because of this, you should consult your doctor or a medical professional before beginning use of CoQ10.

Fertility

Did you know that CoQ10 may be able to improve both male and female fertility? One woman shares a personal story that a doctor suggested taking 600 mg of CoQ10 per day to help improve the quality of the eggs, making them more viable and increasing chances of pregnancy.

Since our natural levels of CoQ10 seem to decrease as we age, it only makes sense that this would affect our fertility levels as well. Our energy levels decrease and this could be tied to our decline in CoQ10 levels as well. However, the physiological processes associated with reproduction -- such as fertilization and the development of an embryo -- are high consumers of energy. In other words, if our bodies are less energized and running less efficiently, they will be less able to perform such biological functions. On the contrary, if we supply our bodies with an energy boost -- perhaps in the form of CoQ10 capsules -- it may be able to help.

As far as research on the subject, we are still at the early stages, but the results seem promising. According to Shady Grove Fertility, “There has been considerable research into the effects of CoQ10 on overall sperm health and egg quality. One study suggested that men using a CoQ10 supplement experienced a significant increase in sperm motility. In another study, men supplementing with CoQ10 daily showed increases in both sperm count and morphology. Although CoQ10 may improve the semen analysis, an increase in pregnancy rates has not been seen.

A recent promising study in mice found an improvement in the egg quality later in their reproductive years suggesting that supplementation of CoQ10 may be able to help overcome the natural decline of a woman’s fertility as she ages. To date there has been no studies completed on the impact of CoQ10 in a woman’s fertility. Further research with women will help to determine if the same impacts can hold true in women of an advanced reproductive age.”

Therefore, although there is not yet conclusive evidence, it is imperative that we conduct further research into the possibility that CoQ10 could increase a woman’s chances of conceiving a child or improve a man’s sperm count and quality.

Hair Loss

Could CoQ10 even help with hair loss? It’s possible! Because the enzyme works to improve and boost cellular function, it may even be able to help with hair loss.

In many cases, the loss of hair is tied to the aging process. As we age and possibly even contract disease, our natural CoQ10 levels in our body are depleted. However, if we replenish them by taking supplemental CoQ10, we may be able to reverse some of the negative effects of the loss of energy (such as the subsequent loss of hair).

There is still more research left to be done to determine how much of an impact CoQ10 could have on hair loss, but it seems promising.

Impotence

What could CoQ10 do to help resolve impotence issues? It is considered one of the natural remedy options that men can take for impotence. In the same way that CoQ10 improves energy levels, it may also help to treat impotence by dilating the blood vessels and therefore increasing blood flow. (A lack of adequate blood flow is one of the main causes of erectile dysfunction.)

CoQ10 may also help to lower a man’s blood pressure, which has also been linked to issues with erectile dysfunction. In addition, if a man’s impotence is due in part to the presence of other diseases, if CoQ10 helps those, the patient may see general improvement overall. Another thing CoQ10 does is help to protect your levels of nitric oxide, a chemical that’s an important part of achieving and maintaining an erection. In fact, other impotence drugs work in part by helping the body become more sensitive to the rise in nitric oxide levels that accompany arousal.

For even more information, check out the article Does Coenzyme Q10 Really Help with Impotence?

How You Can Get Coenzyme Q10: Where to Find CoQ10

Wondering where you can get CoQ10? On this very site! It is widely available in many places that vitamins or supplements are sold, but we offer several different options and at fair prices. We carry different brand names, including Valeant, Jamieson, and Webber. It often comes in pill form, in the form of tablets, softgels, capsules, or tablets. We offer it in different dosage amounts, from 30 milligrams to 300 milligrams.

There is no generic form of CoQ10 available. Rather than a drug, it is a dietary supplement, and thus as an over the counter item it does not require a prescription. That means it’s easier than ever to order Coenzyme Q10 from our site! Whether you buy 30, 60 or 120 capsules, you can simply add the bottle of Coenzyme Q10 to your cart and check out without delay.

You should always do your research before introducing anything new to your routine. Check for precautions, drug interactions, potential side effects, and more before beginning on Coenzyme Q10. For example, those who smoke, are scheduled for surgery, are pregnant, or have issues with blood pressure should probably not take Coenzyme Q10, at least not without being cleared by a doctor first. Coenzyme Q10 also has the potential to decrease the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and treatments. Consult a medical professional and make sure it is safe for you and does not have the potential to interact with any preexisting conditions or diseases.

Contact us today if you have any questions about Coenzyme Q10 or would like help ordering some Coenzyme Q10 for yourself. In short, if you desire increased energy, an overall boost in health, or even assistance with a variety of health conditions, Coenzyme Q10 may just be the miracle cure for you!

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Skye Sherman is a professional writer who has been published in numerous local and international outlets. She has also worked for a wellness company and is very familiar with the healthcare industry. She holds a degree from a Florida university.