Supplements worth trying: CoEnzyme Q10, and a SF Pancake Syrup Sale!

Before I get into todays post, just wanted to mention that my favorite Walden Farms Pancake Syrup is on sale for $3.99!!!
Get it while you can HERE!





I will continue with part 2 of "My Favorite Things" Christmas edition later this week. If you missed Part 1 click HERE (some of my favorite kitchen appliances etc- great gift ideas! and GREAT sales).
 
As a Nutrition and Supplement Consultant with extensive experience dealing with both clients, customers, illnesses  A-Z and Supplements, I often get asked "What should I take". There is NO one size fits all! Just as there is not one University Degree, genre or shoe style that will interest EVERYONE.

 However, there are definitely some products that I recommend for the vast majority of my clients, as their benefits are truly amazing. What I'd like to do in the next few weeks before the New Year, is to post  about some Winners (in terms of products to take) that I truly recommend, and think would benefit you in the New Year. Hopefully this will provide you with a little bit of new information, interest you, and perhaps help you to lead a healthier, more vibrant life. I will be listing these in NO particular order. I will try to keep these as brief as possible, as I have a tendency to "over-inform", and go into too much detail. My co-workers, family and friends call it "encyclopedi-izing".

So what is one Supplement/Nurtient I suggest trying for the New Year?
COENZYME Q 10 *CoQ10 or Ubiquinone/Ubiquinol (called as such because it is Ubiquitous is the body).


What Is It?

CoEnzyme is a fat-soluble antioxidant. You'll probably be familiar with the numerous health benefits linked to co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10). There are multiple reports and studies on its ability to help fight a large range of conditions from cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's, muscular dystrophy and cancer, to diabetes, male infertility, AIDS, asthma, thyroid disorders and gum disease. It is primarily used to treat heart disease, or heart associated problems.

Coenzyme Q10 is our "spark plug" or catalyst if you will. Besides being a potent antioxidant, it is an exceptional energy provider! CoEnzyme Q10 helps with ATP production (refuelable quick source energy). This nutrient is found in all cells of the body and plays a vital part in creating energy within the mitochondria, small organs inside the cell. Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that has great importance as a free radical scavenger. CoQ10 protects the stability of the cell membrane, protects DNA from free radical induced oxidative damage, and helps recycle Vitamin E. The human body gradually loses its ability to synthesize CoQ10 as we age. Research suggests that supplementation with CoQ10 may support normal heart function, protect DNA from free radical induced oxidative damage, and maintain healthy energy levels.




Because it can reach the mitochondria, it not only reduces free radical production but it can also improve the overall production of energy. It is found primarily in the Heart, Pancreas, liver and kidneys. Energy production creates a large amount of free radicals, luckily CoQ10 helps produce energy WHILE neutralizing the free radicals formed during energy production.


 Co-enzyme Q10, is used by people who want to build up their energy reserves, following an illness or during a stressful period. Many people believe that it helps increase life-span, as it helps protect the DNA from free radical damage.

It can also be used with great effect if you have problems with energy prodcution in your muscles (which can be caused by many illnesses, such as chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia).
Multiple research studies suggest that it also may speed up recovery from heart attack or stroke.


Why Supplement?

After the age of 25, our levels of this miracle nutrient start declining at a rapid rate. CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases such as heart conditions, muscular dystrophies, Parkinson's disease, cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Some prescription drugs may also lower CoQ10 levels. Smoking decreases the supplies our bodies, as does illness and excessive stress (which also causes free radical damage).


Which Form?

 There are many debates as to which form to take (ubiquinone or ubiquinol) and thus far Ubiquinol seems to confer the most benefits. What may also make this newer form of CoQ10 so much more effective than CoQ10 supplements on the market today, is its ability to remain biologically active in the body much longer. Smaller amounts are also needed to maintain blood plasma levels. In other words, this form may absorb better, and stay in the blood longer. Ubiquinone is the oxidized version, whereas Ubiquinol is the reduced version. Ubiquinone is found in most supplements, unless otherwise stated. This does NOT mean that Ubiquinone is a waste of money and not effective; it just isn't AS effective as Ubiquinol! Ubiquinone gets converted into Ubiquinol, so there is an extra step involved and therefore some loss in terms of potency, bioavailability and efficacy (not all of it gets converted). Ubiquinol is newer, and typically more expensive.

The good news is that when you are younger, your body easily converts Ubiquinone into Ubiquinol- which means that the sooner you take it, the more effective it will be and less expensive on your budget! I would not recommend taking this for someone under the age of 30 unless they are extremely active! You can usually find trace amounts of CoQ10 in better pre/post/during workout supplements, and antioxidant/immune formulas.

Can you get it naturally from food?
CoQ10 is found in trace amounts in meat and seafood, and is transported throughout our bodies with our LDL and VLDL cholesterol. LDL is prone toward oxidation by free radicals, which in turn damages the walls of our blood vessels, which leads to the build up of plack on artery walls (arthlerosclorosis). CoQ10 "piggy-backs' LDL, protecting it from being oxidized. Because the amounts we get from food are so small, as an energy source, the resulting benefits are smaller than those associated with taking a supplement (100mg-300mg).


While this supplement isn't necessary, it certainly is one worth trying! You can find it in many anti-aging creams, as well as blemish formulas and healing creams!



Further reading more biology based:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coenzyme_Q10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coenzyme_Q10

Have you tried CoQ10? What were your results? Is this something that you could see yourself trying out and incorporating into your life?