I’ve recently started taking a COENZYME Q10 (CoQ10) supplement called BioPro-Q. As an endurance athlete who is in his forties with a family history of heart disease, this is a powerful addition to my nutritional regiment.
So, what is CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q10, popularly known as CoQ10, is a compound that helps generate energy in cells. The human body produces CoQ10 naturally, but its production tends to decline with age. Fortunately, the human body can also get CoQ10 through supplements or food. Health conditions like heart disease, brain disorders, diabetes, and cancer have been linked to low levels of CoQ10.
Coenzyme Q10 also plays a vital role as a fat-soluble antioxidant in cell membranes and lipoproteins, the latter responsible for transporting lipids in the body. For example, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a biomarker associated with an increased risk of heart disease, and when LDL is oxidized, the antioxidant CoQ10 is the first to act.
Coenzyme Q10 also plays an essential role in recycling other antioxidants in the body, notably alpha-tocopherols (vitamin E) and ascorbate (vitamins C). High concentrations of CoQ10 are also found in lysosomes, the cellular debris collectors that clean up all cellular debris.
One thing is for sure: much research has revealed the wide range of health benefits of CoQ10. CoQ10 production decreases with age. Therefore, older people appear to be deficient in this compound. Also, those who take statin drugs for heart disease are a greater risk of needing a CoQ10 supplement due to the side effects of the statin drugs.
SOME DEFICIENCIES OF CoQ10 ARE CAUSED BY:
- Oxidative stress from aging
- Nutritional defalcation, like vitamin B6 deficiency
- Genetic deficiency in the synthesis or use of CoQ10
- Increased demand on tissues due to the disease.
- Mitochondrial diseases
- Side effects of statin treatments
Research has shown that CoQ10 plays several essential roles in the human body.
One of its basic functions is to support the production of energy in cells. It is involved in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is involved in transporting energy within cells. This is why many athletes and weightlifters take a CoQ10 supplement.
Its other key role is to act as an antioxidant and protect cells from oxidative damage. CoQ10 is present in all the cells in the human body. However, the highest concentrations are found in the organs with the most significant energy requirement, such as the heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver.
HERE ARE A FEW LISTS OF SOME HEALTH BENEFITS of CoQ10.
- It can help treat heart failure
CoQ10 appears to help treat heart failure by improving heart function, increasing ATP production, and limiting oxidative damage.
- It could help with fertility
CoQ10’s antioxidant properties may improve sperm quality and reduce the decline in egg number and rate in women.
- It could help keep the skin looking young
When rubbed directly to the skin, CoQ10 can help reduce sun damage and increase antioxidant protection. Supplementing with CoQ10 can also help reduce the risk of skin cancer.
- It could reduce headaches
Supplementing with CoQ10 appears to help prevent and treat migraines, as it increases mitochondrial function and reduces inflammation.
- It could help with exercise performance
Physical performance can be affected by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. CoQ10 can help reduce oxidative damage, promote exercise capacity, and decrease fatigue.
- It could help with diabetes
Supplementing with CoQ10 can help boost insulin sensitivity and improve blood sugar levels.
- It could play a great role in cancer prevention
CoQ10 plays a vital role in protecting cellular DNA and cell survival, both of which are strongly linked to cancer prevention and recurrence.
- It’s good for the brain
Research has revealed that CoQ10 can protect brain cells from oxidative damage and decrease the action of harmful compounds that can result in brain disease.
- CoQ10 could protect the lungs
CoQ10 can reduce oxidative damage and inflammation, which results in lung disease.
- CoQ10 could reduce fatigue, tiredness, pain, and soreness
Fibromyalgia is another condition where coenzyme Q10 can play a supporting role in symptom management. Several small double-blind studies have found that a dose of 300 mg per day reduces fatigue and tiredness and pain and soreness in patients with fibromyalgia.
CoQ10 FOR ATHLETES
Health researchers, after in-depth research, concluded that CoQ10 is an excellent supplement for energy restoring abilities in endurance athletes.
Also, a recent study revealed that in trained athletes, CoQ10 supplementation led to a slight but statistically significant increase in energy production compared to a placebo.
Older athletes will make the most of CoQ10 supplementation, as aging reduces the number of mitochondria in cells and, in turn, the amount of Coq10. Higher amounts of CoQ10 in fewer mitochondria can compensate for their lower numbers.
Intense exercise creates oxidation in the body, and supplementation with CoQ10 can reduce oxidative damage. Likewise, users may also have a slight decrease in muscle damage markers. Although these two effects are mild, they indicate an essential role in the protective effects of CoQ10 in athletes.
Furthermore, CoQ10 can be useful for athletes who lose their physical condition and form (out of shape) after an injury or accident; Researchers found that CoQ10 can increase VO2max in these people.
CoQ10 PROLONGS EXERCISE PERFORMANCE AND INCREASES TIME TO EXHAUSTION
Supplementing with CoQ10 can significantly benefit endurance athletes, helping to prolong exercise capacity, performance and increase time to exhaustion. This means running, swimming, and cycling, which will improve their competitiveness.
CoQ10 CAN MITIGATE MUSCLE DAMAGE AFTER A HIGH-INTENSITY WORKOUT
Numerous studies have shown that CoQ10 can help reduce post-workout inflammation and mitigate muscle damage after resistance training. CoQ10 is essential for ATP synthesis, as 96% of all aerobically produced energy involves CoQ10. Although it is synthesized endogenously, a small amount of CoQ10 is always degraded and must be replenished from dietary and complementary sources. Organs such as the heart and muscles, which need robust bioenergetics and consistency, depend on a sufficient supply of CoQ10 and give out less energy and strength if they are deficient in CoQ10.
CoQ10 DOSAGE FOR ATHLETES
To increase the rate of CoQ10 content in human muscle, it is necessary to increase the CoQ10 plasma for a longer period so that the muscle tissues have sufficient time to absorb CoQ10 from the plasma. Higher doses of 200 to 300 mg of CoQ10 are needed over 4-12 weeks to increase muscle CoQ10 content. Therefore, for endurance athletes, 200-300 mg per day is required to improve athletic performance. For conscious health consumers who wish to increase plasma CoQ10 levels to support heart health and general well-being, 100 mg is preferred.
What Brand Should I Use?
BioPro-Q is one of the best versions of the supplement currently on the market. Read more about it here
Purchase it here, this is my personal discounted price: https://ariix.info/a/jIn6za
Refs:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-coenzyme-q10/art-20362602
Coq10 vitamin, the human body produces CoQ10 naturally, but not in enough amounts to prevent Coq10 health risks. While CoQ10 deficiency is associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer, it is not known if it can prevent or treat these conditions.