Coenzyme Q10: Lighting a Fire Underneath Your Cells
PlanetSupplement.com analyzes the best health supplements and reviews them thoroughly.
The name coenzyme Q10 sounds intimidating, but it’s a substance that can already be found all throughout your body, and it’s very important in maintaining optimal health. It’s usually consumed through meat and seafood, and it is especially beneficial for the heart, liver, kidneys and pancreas.
According to medlineplus.com, the supplement form often used to treat people with congestive heart failure, chest pain, high blood pressure and a variety of other heart problems. Coenzyme Q10 is necessary for cells to function in the human body, but it decreases with age, hence the benefits of taking it in supplement form. The recommended dosage for a deficiency is 150 mg daily, and for a mitochondrial disorder, it’s 150 to 160 mg daily. For people who suffer from heart problems, health experts recommend that they take above 100 mg day per day.
The Benefits of Taking Coenzyme Q10
According to mayoclinic.com, the supplement can be used to treat diabetes, gum disease, breast cancer, Huntingdon’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy and Lyme disease.
It can also be used to increase energy, as it works in very much the same way a rechargeable battery does, giving the cells of the body they energy they need to function properly. Other uses for the supplement include strengthening the immune systems of people with HIV/AIDS, and decreasing muscle pain that often occurs as a side effect of taking cholesterol reducing medications referred to as “statin”drugs. It can also be affective for mitochondrial disorders that limit energy production in the cells. Taking it a week before heart bypass surgery can lessen blood vessel complications, according to medlineplus.com
A Coenzyme Deficiency: Rare But Possible
There is such a thing as a coenzyme Q-10 deficiency, although its very rare. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue and seizures.
Downfalls of the Coenzyme Q10 Supplements
The supplement is safe for most people and only has mild side effects, such as loss of appetite, stomach upset, nausea and diarrhea. Some people may experience skin rashes, and people with very low blood pressure should avoid the supplement because it can lower their blood pressure even more. The site recommends that individual split the tablets and take them a couple times a day, rather than taking a large dose at once. Children can take the supplement with medical supervision, but pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid the supplement. People should avoid taking the supplement at least two weeks before surgery because it can lower blood pressure, according to the site.
Some research shows that, since it is an antioxidant, it can interfere with chemotherapy. One should also be wary when combining the supplement with medications for high blood pressure, as the combination of the two can cause the blood pressure to become too low. People who take blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin should note that the supplement can increase blood clotting, and it can decrease the effectiveness of the drug. There are no known interactions with foods, according to the site.