The health benefits of CoQ10 & why you should take it

Understanding the limitations of supplements and when they can actually be beneficial is crucial.

CoQ10 is a molecule found within the mitochondria of your cells. The mitochondria are famously the powerhouse of the cell, and the CoQ10 can be thought of as a molecule that acts as a shield against molecules known as free radicals that try to cause damage to the walls of the mitochondria. In some instances, people can experience CoQ10 deficiency which leaves the mitochondria vulnerable to free radical damage.

CoQ10 supplements are meant to help restore mitochondrial functioning by restoring the atrophied mitochondrial shields that resulted from a deficiency. This, in addition to helping fight back against other free radicals within the body, is when CoQ10 can be helpful.

Below is a closer look at some of the potential health benefits of CoQ10. CoQ10 is classified as a supplement and as such, is not able to treat or cure any condition, but it can be utilized to help support different aspects of your health and wellness.

Heart health

One of the most notable potential benefits of CoQ10 is the positive impacts seen on heart health in preliminary studies. Many different heart deficiencies involve inflammation of the heart and it is thought that the stress placed upon the heart is also felt at a cellular level.

CoQ10 helps to mitigate oxidative stress felt by the cardiac cells by supporting healthy antioxidant levels within these cells and restoring CoQ10 levels that may be reduced. With less oxidative stress, cardiac cells are able to function at better efficiency and it’s the main reason why people believe CoQ10 is advantageous to optimal heart health.

Proper heart health is vital to living a long and healthy life. Heart complications can place a serious strain on your ability to live your life to its fullest extent. Optimal blood flow and heart health allow the rest of your body to work more efficiently.

Pairing CoQ10 with exercise and a healthy diet can help to support your heart health and improve your overall cardiovascular health.

Brain health

The brain is one of the most power-hungry organs within the human body. A countless number of neurons are constantly being fired at any given moment and ATP is needed for those signals to fire in the first place. The mitochondria are responsible for delivering ATP to these cells, and a mitochondrial deficiency in CoQ10 could potentially hinder neurons and cause them to perform suboptimally.

Muscular health

The human body has nearly 600 muscles and you rely on them to walk, talk, breathe, and more. Muscular health is often the aim of many gym routines, but without thinking about your muscle’s needs at a cellular level, you could be leaving some performance on the table.

Muscle contractions are a complex process that involves the nervous system signaling contraction and the chemical cascade that occurs to allow muscle fibers to shorten. Muscle movement requires energy, and ensuring your muscle cells have a supported basis of energy is a great way to not only support your muscular health but also potentially improve your level of performance.

Energy levels

When a person is considering whether or not they have a CoQ10 deficiency, it’s usually because of a lack of energy. Most CoQ10 deficiencies do not happen overnight and many people simply accept the decline in energy as a part of aging.

While aging can contribute to less energy throughout the day, CoQ10 deficiency could be a potential culprit, and restoring CoQ10 levels could help to restore a more natural level of energy throughout the day.

As described previously, CoQ10 plays an integral role in the cell’s ability to convert glucose into ATP which is the relevant source of energy for cellular processes. Supporting your energy levels at a cellular level can have a positive implication on your perceived energy levels throughout the day.

MitoQ vs CoQ10 Supplements

With the many potential benefits of CoQ10 outlined, you may be tempted to immediately jump on board and order a supplement.

While the thought of full-body cellular support may sound great, it is important to note that not all CoQ10 supplements should be treated equally. The level of bioavailability, research backing, and convenience are all things that are important to consider.

Below is a closer look at the differences between MitoQ and standard CoQ10.

CoQ10

CoQ10 supplements available today will typically contain CoQ10, but in terms of usability within the body, the supplement is poorly absorbed.

When you think about the route that the CoQ10 molecule must take it is easy to see why it is poorly absorbed. Once ingested, CoQ10 must go through the harsh acidic environment of the stomach, absorb into the bloodstream through the intestines, enter the cellular membrane, and finally be implemented into the mitochondrial membrane.

For an uncharged molecule, the last two steps of entering membranes are quite difficult. So while CoQ10 may be able to get into the bloodstream which can help to mitigate free radicals in the blood, it has a hard time getting to the mitochondria where it can really strut its stuff.

The low bioavailability is typically why traditional CoQ10 supplements require a high dosage. In essence, you are taking more CoQ10 because quite a lot of it is being wasted and simply going down the toilet. Not only is this wasteful, but it could require you to take the supplement multiple times a day depending on the specific product.

MitoQ

MitoQ is different in that it is a modified form of CoQ10 that is more readily absorbed and implemented into the mitochondria as opposed to standard CoQ10. This is accomplished by a positive charge added to the CoQ10 molecule. The positive charge is attracted to the highly negative mitochondria which allow it to act like a magnet attracted to the cellular structure.

The better absorption of MitoQ into the mitochondria means that less product is being wasted and going down the drain. This also means that rather than having to take a 100-200mg dose of standard CoQ10, MitoQ only requires you to take 10mg daily to achieve results. Simply taking two MitoQ capsules 30 minutes before breakfast can put you on your way to having molecularly supported mitochondria to fuel your body and be as efficient as possible.

Who is MitoQ & CoQ10 for?

The reality of many supplements available is that they are not always for everyone. In fact, some supplements may be harmful if not taken as directed.

MitoQ and CoQ10 supplements are only able to support normal mitochondrial functioning. If your mitochondria are performing suboptimally due to low CoQ10 levels, these supplements can help, but if your mitochondria already have sufficient levels of CoQ10, the supplements only act as a supplemental antioxidant.

This means that MitoQ and CoQ10 really shine for individuals who are seeing naturally declining levels because of age.

Luckily MitoQ has relatively benign side effects with nausea and upset stomach being the most common. With a relatively small downside to the supplements, it makes them ideal for those wanting to ensure their cellular health is taken care of and ready for whatever is thrown at it.

Conclusion

In summary, CoQ10 has a number of potential health benefits throughout your body. The mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cells and ensuring the powerhouse of your cells are in tip-top shape has many downstream benefits.

Heart, brain, muscle, and energy levels can all be supported through CoQ10 and supported mitochondria.

Whether you are experiencing a lack of energy, taking statins, looking to support your cellular health, or experiencing other symptoms of low CoQ10, MitoQ and CoQ10 could potentially help.

By protecting your body from oxidative stress, your cells are able to perform their job without interruption from free radicals. When your cells work efficiently, it shows in your overall wellness and wellbeing.

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