Let’s take a closer look at exactly what CoQ10 is, does and why we need it.

What is it?
Coenzyme Q10 is an anti-oxidant which science has known about since the 1950s, but is now more clued up on than ever. It’s sometimes referred to as ubiquinone. But let’s stop right there and take a little side-track…

Anti-oxidants? Anti-interest…
“Anti-oxidant” is an over-familiar term these days; we hear it to a mind-numbing degree, but do we know what anti-oxidants actually are? In a nutshell, they are things that protect the cells in our bodies from something else we hear a lot about: the dreaded “free-radicals” – and free-radicals cause harm. Anti-oxidants hunt them down and despatch them. So, it stands to reason that anti-oxidants are highly desirable. When we’re younger, our free-rad/anti-ox ratios tend to balance themselves out; imbalances start as we grow older or if we become chronically ill. Free-rads then outnumber anti-oxidants and problems begin. The obvious way to counteract this is to boost our body’s anti-oxidant army by taking some sort of supplement. So…keep reading!

CoQ10: what does it do?
Think CoQ10: think energy. It helps all the cells in our body produce this vital resource, and has an effect on things as basic as breathing and muscle use. Meanwhile, CoQ10 fights free-radicals, helps our immune system and supports our heart, liver and kidneys. It is as busy as a beaver.

How do we get it?
Our bodies make it, and we eat it in certain foods. While we’re young and healthy we produce plenty of our own.

Why take more?
As our birthdays mount up, so our CoQ10 levels decline – just, it would seem, when we need them most. The same thing happens if we’re suffering from a disease or recovering from a bout of illness, whatever our age. Taking a CoQ10 supplement can make a big difference.

What form does a CoQ10 supplement come in?
Capsules. How easy is that?

Who might need a CoQ10 supplement?
Quite a number of us – especially if we’re knocking on the door of middle-age, or have already passed that milestone. Likewise if we’re continually short of energy, or prone to picking up every bug in the neighbourhood. And, most importantly, if we have any form of cardio-vascular (heart or blood vessel) disease, or are prime candidates for developing it. But that’s not all – so, as a rough guideline, here’s a very basic CoQ10 check-list:

• Heart disease: CoQ10 is considered particularly helpful to heart and cardio-vascular patients, including those with angina, hypertension and congestive heart failure.
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs: If you’re taking this type of medication (commonly called a ’statin’), we recommend talking to your doctor as it can lower natural CoQ10 levels. A CoQ10 supplement may be of special help.
• Beta-blockers: Like statins, beta-blockers can cause your natural CoQ10 levels to drop. Have a chat to your doctor about the benefits of CoQ10 supplementation.
• Ageing: If you’re a normal, healthy person of middle age or more, you might also want to supplement with CoQ10 – your own levels are very probably in decline. Check with your doctor if you’re taking regular medication, especially a blood-thinning drug like warfarin, as there are possible inter-actions with this.
• Migraine: research shows that CoQ10 can help with severity and frequency of attacks in many patients.
• Chronic fatigue: more research is needed, but the results to date are very encouraging.
• General fatigue: a CoQ10 supplement can help.
• Athletes and exercise junkies: chances are high that your CoQ10 levels are low.
• Toxin overload: CoQ10 has been proved to help this.
• Stress: If you’ve suffered a long or severe bout of this, your CoQ10 levels are probably down.

And under scrutiny…
Alzheimers, Parkinson’s, ageing, obesity, blood-sugar levels, macular degeneration, gum disease and more. You’ll find plenty of information on the internet and in libraries, much of it backed by scientific research.

Are there any side-effects?
CoQ10 is a natural substance in our bodies, so side effects are minimal; perhaps an upset stomach, or a bit of excess energy – possibly a little insomnia. Taking the supplement after you’ve eaten a meal should help fix this. And, of course, as with any supplement, keep to the recommended dose.

So, for an energy boost, a fight against free-radicals, a helper for your heart or maybe a canny stab at fighting the ageing process, CoQ10 – Coenzyme Q10 – is your ideal co-worker.