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Heart Failure & CoQ10

CoQ10, officially known as Coenzyme Q10, is a substance that resides in the mitochondria and is found in every cell of the body. Its primary functions are to produce energy and protect cells from oxidative stress. Studies have linked it to having the ability to treat cancer, cardiovascular health and cognitive function and headaches. However, recently a ten-year study has conclusively found that CoQ10 can significantly improve the chances of survival for even the most severe heart failure patients. The study found that supplementing with CoQ10 can restore CoQ10 levels in patients with a deficiency which can extend lifespan and increase the quality of life. This article is going to take an in-depth look at this study to learn more about how CoQ10 can benefit patients of heart failure.

How Does CoQ10 Benefit Heart Failure Patients?

A common misconception about heart failure is that it is oftentimes mistaken to mean when a heart stops beating. Rather, heart failure is categorized as when a heart is not able to pump enough blood to sustain normal function in your organs. Your heart is always working and in order to maintain this task, your mitochondria has to efficiently produce energy. CoQ10 is necessary for the heart to maintain enough energy management. When levels of CoQ10 decline, tissues are unable to efficiently burn fuel which leads to oxidative damage and the ultimate loss of their function. When heart muscles lose fuel efficiency heart failure can occur.

Research Shows Great Results

The results of the ten year study showed that patients who took 100 mg of CoQ10, three times a day were found to have significantly reduced the risk of dying from heart failure, were less than half likely to die from any cause and were half as likely to have a major adverse cardiac event during the study period. After a trial time of only three months of supplementing with CoQ10, researchers found reduced levels of a blood marker of heart failure severity that comes from overworked heart muscles. At the two-year mark, research found that patients had improved measurements of heart function that those who took a placebo.

The study’s main endpoint measurement was the biggest market of the study’s success in determining the benefits of CoQ10 for patients with heart failure. The study found that only fourteen percent of patients in the group that supplemented with CoQ10 had to be hospitalized for worsened heart failure, died from a cardiovascular cause, needed an urgent heart transplant or artificial heart support. Meanwhile, twenty five percent of the patients in the placebo group experienced a major cardiac event. This comes out to those in the placebo group had twice the risk of a major cardiac event as opposed to those taking a CoQ10 supplement.

What Are The Mechanisms Of COQ10?

The mitochondria steadily pumps out a supply of energy that comes from the food you eat. In order to help maintain its efficiency healthy levels of CoQ10 must be maintained. Talk to your doctor about beginning a supplementation regimen of CoQ10 in order to decrease your chances of experiencing a subsequent major cardiac event.

Increase Energy With CoQ10

Coenzyme Q10, otherwise known as CoQ10, is an antioxidant nutrient that is found in the mitochondria of every cell in your body. The mitochondria are the part of the cell where the production of cellular energy occurs. Its primary functions are to produce energy and within the cell and to protect from oxidative stress. Like so many other parts of the body, CoQ10 levels drop as your age. Coenzyme Q10 is believed to have a variety of benefits that can support cardiovascular health, treat diabetes, cancer, and headaches. This article will discuss the various benefits CoQ10 has to offer and the best ways to take it.

Although there are dietary sources of CoQ10 like organ meats and lentils, many will choose to supplement in order to ensure they receive the right amount. You can also find CoQ10 in broccoli, spinach, and peanuts but the reason why people choose to supplement is that the amounts of CoQ10 are smaller and the quality of this food would have to be top notch in order for that smaller amount to be available. They would also have to be unprocessed and cultivated in a place that has no pollution. It can also be cooked out in foods, therefore, if you are looking to increase your CoQ10 intake through foods, it is better to supplement with raw foods. Regardless of how you supplement CoQ10, studies have proven CoQ10 to have various health benefits that make the effort to supplement worth it.

Increased Energy

Studies have found that patients who supplemented with CoQ10 reported feeling an increase in energy. The reason for this is because CoQ10 has been linked to improved cardiovascular health can improve the heart’s ability to pump more blood. It can also lower the viscosity of blood which makes it easier to achieve optimal heart function. Increased energy can also be attributed to the fact that CoQ10 can double the levels of antibodies and supported the body’s ability to handle viruses. Taking into consideration that more often than not, people will have some sort of background disease, taking CoQ10 can help combat the effects. When a body is functioning healthily, it also experiences an increase in energy.

Gum Health

Research has shown that having a healthy heart can improve gum health. Gums are full of blood and your mouth is full of bacteria. If you damage the gum layer it is going to get bacteria into your bloodstream which can trigger inflammation through your body. This is crucial because inflammation can damage to blood vessels. By supporting a healthy heart, CoQ10 can also

Additional Benefits

Additional CoQ10 benefits include weight loss, treatment for cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, fatigue, muscle weakness, and headache.

It is undisputed that maintain coenzyme Q10 levels offers many health benefits. Talk to your doctor about how to optimally supplement CoQ10 into your diet so that you too can optimally derive from its benefits.

Vitamins offer antioxidant properties and, when combined with other remedies, can cure hemorrhoids. Antioxidants are great for the body because they strengthen body tissues and increase the resistance of blood vessels. Vitamins potent and effective in the treatment and prevention of hemorrhoids include vitamins A, B, and C.

Recommended dosages include two to three intakes per day. Always talk to your doctor before you begin taking a vitamin supplement. Another option is to eat more foods that contain these vitamins. Eating vegetables and fruits like carrots, spinach, oranges, kiwis, strawberries, and kale can be very effective.

If you choose to take a vitamin supplement, consult your doctor before you start to ensure that it will not negatively interact with any current medication you take.

CoQ10: Statin Medication

CoQ10 is a coenzyme that lives in the mitochondria and is responsible for producing energy and protecting cells from oxidative stress. Statins are a type of medication that lower cholesterol with the goal of benefiting people at risk for heart disease. For the right patients, statins can decrease the risk of cardiovascular death and disabilities. However, despite the benefits that statins can have for those at risk of cardiovascular disease, statins have been found to increase the risk of developing diabetes, particularly in older patients. Studies suggest that because statins reduce the body’s levels of CoQ10, mitochondrial dysfunction will occur that leads to higher glucose levels. This article is going to discuss the link between supplementing CoQ10 while taking statins to prevent the development of diabetes. Continue reading to learn more.

Link Between Statins and Diabetes

Studies have found that statins, especially when in high doses, are associated with a 27% increased risk of developing type II diabetes. The elderly are at the highest risk of developing diabetes. Another study found that patients taking higher doses of statins has a 12% higher risk of developing diabetes than those on a moderate dose. It puts into question whether or not taking statins to lower cholesterol to protect from cardiovascular disease is worth the risk of developing diabetes which in turn can paradoxically increase the chance of developing cardiovascular disease. Experts believe that it’s worth taking the risk because risk of developing cardiovascular disease is worse than the risk of developing diabetes.

How CoQ10 Can Help

Supplementing with CoQ10 is believed to have the ability to counteract the damage caused by statins and reduce the risk of developing diabetes while taking statins. Statins drain the body of CoQ10 which can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction that causes faulty insulin signaling. This can cause elevated glucose levels that cause diabetes. Statins work by preventing the process of producing cholesterol molecules which in turn block the precursor of CoQ10. Supplementing with CoQ10 can help people on statins to maintain healthy levels of CoQ10 which can prevent developing diabetes.

Benefits of Supplementing with CoQ10

Aside for restoring depleted levels of CoQ10 in patients with diabetes, CoQ10 can also lower blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C. Research has shown that fat cells that have been exposed to statins can have their normal glucose levels restored with CoQ10 and can help reverse any damage done. Supplementing with only 200 mg a day of CoQ10 has been shown to significantly decrease the chances of developing diabetes while taking statins. It has also been shown to decrease cardiovascular risks that are caused by diabetes. Studies have found that depleted levels of CoQ10 can cause diabetic cardiomyopathy which is the loss of heart muscle function. Diabetic have poor blood vessel lining function which can be made worse by taking statins. Maintaining regular supplementation of CoQ10 has been found to counteract these risks.

CoQ10 has been found to have a myriad of health benefits that include cancer prevention, brain function and the lowered risk of developing diabetes. If you are taking statins and are worried about your risk of developing diabetes, make sure to supplement with CoQ10 to ensure that you are protected from any risks.

CoQ10 And Diet

The heart is undeniably the most important organ in the body. With its complex composition of arteries, capillaries, and veins, the heart is responsible for pumping life through your body. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with exercise and diet is imperative to safeguarding the lifespan of your heart. Making wise decisions about the foods you eat can decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Even if you are taking a CoQ10 supplement, a healthy daily diet is paramount for maintaining a healthy heart. Check out these top tips for optimal heart health.

Choose the Right Carbohydrates

Avoid eating refined grains such as bread, pasta, cereals, desserts and table sugar. Refined grains are made by processing natural, whole grains. This is done to extend the shelf life and give the product a better texture. There are a number of reasons why refined grains are substandard when it comes to a diet. Refined grains are nutritionally imbalanced as they are devoid of iron and B vitamins. Preservatives, bleaching chemicals (white flour), artificial coloring, and flavors are used when processing or refining whole grains. Refined grains contain little to no fiber and have a higher glycemic index which tends to be digested much quicker than whole grains, as a result, this causes a spike in insulin which leads to high cholesterol and diabetes. Switching to whole grains is certainly a healthier alternative.

Cut Back on Salt

Salt is the primary source of sodium. When one consumes too much salt, the excess sodium in the bloodstream retains water within the blood vessels which increases the volume of blood. When more blood flows through the blood vessels, it causes an increase in blood pressure. High blood pressure puts a strain on the heart and while you may not feel it, the pressure damages the walls of the arteries over time. Try limit your salt intake by using fresh herbs to season meals and only adding a small amount of salt after foods have been cooked. A little sprinkle does go a long way.

Eliminate Trans Fats

Trans fats are a man-made fat which is the result of turning a liquid oil into a solid fat such as margarine by means of hydrogenation. Trans fat raises your “bad” LDL cholesterol and lowers your “good” HDL cholesterol which may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. Eliminate foods that contain “hydrogenated oil” or “partially hydrogenated oil”. Manufacturers are obligated to mention these ingredients, so be sure to read the food labels carefully. Small doses of trans fats are also found naturally in animal products such as beef, pork, and some dairy. It is best to limit your intake of pork and beef and switch to fat-free dairy products.

The ‘S’ Word

Sugar! Approximately 10% of the calories the average American eats in a day is made up of added sugar however about 1 in 10 people get one-quarter more of their calories from added sugar. Consuming large quantities of sugar damages tissues in the heart and affects the blood sugar levels. Women should limit their added sugars to no more than 100 calories per day, and men should eat less than 150 calories. These recommendations only apply to added sugars. When checking food labels, avoid added sugar such as corn sweetener or syrup, honey, molasses, fruit juice concentrate, high-fructose corn syrup, invert sugar, malt sugar and syrup and sugar molecules ending in ‘ose’ (dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose, sucrose).

CoQ10 Supplements

CoQ10 is short for Coenzyme Q10 and it helps cells create energy. It also acts as an antioxidant that helps cells from aging. Many people today use CoQ10 to protect their heart and blood vessels from oxidative stress, which leads to cell damage. If you suffer from heart arrhythmia, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or congestive heart failure, a supplement of CoQ10 may assist you with eliminating the effects of oxidative stress. This supplement also can reduce swelling and alleviate muscle stiffness, which helps with someone who may have breast cancer or diabetes.

A Natural Fountain of Youth: CoQ10 Reduces Aging Effects

CoQ10 is created and stored in the body, unlike certain vitamins that are not naturally made, so they must be ingested instead. CoQ10 is used in the mitochondria, providing energy to cells and also balancing blood pressure levels. Once it combines with oxygen in the blood, CoQ10 becomes activated and turns into ubiquinone or ubiquinol.

There are five different benefits that CoQ10 provides to the body:

Help cells create enough energy to maintain normal body functions
Assist other enzymes with digestion
Protect cell damage from oxidative stress
Aid the blood with absorbing antioxidants and other important vitamins and nutrients
Slow down or stop aging in cells

Eating Your Way to Healthy Heart and Brain Function

There are foods that naturally supply CoQ10 that are also high in Vitamin A and E, a great combination for heart health. Some of these foods are:

grass-fed beef
oily fish
legumes
broccoli
cauliflower
oranges
strawberries
free-range eggs

When Should You Add CoQ10 to Your Diet?

People with heart problems should be taking CoQ10. Some common ailments include:

high cholesterol
atherosclerosis
angina
mitral valve prolapse

Although the body naturally produces CoQ10, the older you get the less CoQ10 your body makes, which increases the aging of your cells. Patients who have heart disease or high blood pressure are prescribed something called “statins,” which help lower blood pressure but also decrease the amount of CoQ10 in the body. Along the same lines, people diagnosed with cancer, diabetes and congestive heart failure have low levels of CoQ10. Taking CoQ10 has been linked to preventing statin side effects and repairing cell damage.

Buying CoQ10 Supplements

You should consult a doctor if you are thinking of taking this supplement. The dosage can range from just 30 mg to 1,000 mg a day. The most common dosage is at least 200 mg per pill.

To ensure you have a quality product, check online reviews to see if the specific brand has helped others. Pills with certification and few preservatives are the way to go.

Be aware that any supplement can cause other unwanted side effects. Some common side effects are nausea, upset stomach, insomnia, headache and dizziness. If you are taking statins, make sure your doctor monitors any chance of CoQ10 reversing statins’ effects. If you have diabetes, CoQ10 may not be the right supplement for you.

CoQ10 – Blood Pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension, is one of the leading causes of death globally because it could result in a heart attack or stroke. One in three Americans is affected by high blood pressure, and therefore they are at risk.

Blood pressure measures how hard blood pushes against vessel walls and it is measured in mmHg (millimeters of mercury). A blood pressure above 140 mmHg/90 mmHg (which are the pressures when the heart is contracting and when it isn’t) is considered to be high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is affected by many factors, so a variety of changes to lifestyle and diet can cause it to decrease.

Lifestyle changes

One of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure is to decrease stress levels. Stressing causes the release of a variety of hormones which narrow the blood vessels and increase blood pressure. Decreasing stress will, therefore, decrease the amount of these hormones and allow pressure to normalize. Ideas for decreasing stress include meditation and yoga, learning and avoiding stress triggers and getting sufficient sleep – about eight hours a night.

More long-term management of blood pressure should include increasing exercise as this causes peripheral vasodilation – increased blood flow to the muscles, which reduces total blood pressure. Excessive amounts of exercise are not necessary – just an increase in daily activity, such as housework, stair climbing and walking. Exercise should also help you to lose weight, which is important to lower blood pressure too.

If you do smoke, it is highly recommended that you stop. The chemicals in cigarettes damage the walls of blood vessels, which lead them to harden and this increases overall blood pressure.

Dietary changes

The different kind of foods we eat have a variety of effects on our blood pressure. Foods which cause increased water absorption, such as sodium and glucose, in salt and sugar respectively, cause the blood pressure to increase. There are large amounts of salt and sugar in processed foods, so it is best to avoid those and other foods which contain high amounts of salt or sugar. Increasing potassium intake has the opposite effect and is suggested to lower blood pressure.

Other substances act as a stimulant, which can increase blood pressure. One example of these is caffeine, which should be minimised in your diet. Another substance to consume in moderation is alcohol. Many alcoholic beverages contain added sugars and high amounts of alcohol can also damage blood vessel walls.

There are certain substances that have a positive effect when eaten, such as dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is about 60-70% cocoa and contains flavonoids which cause blood vessels to dilate, which decreases blood pressure.

Other changes

If after all the lifestyle and dietary changes made, your blood pressure is still too high, there are a variety of other ways you can help to lower it. There are a number of natural supplements which lower blood pressure including garlic, celery juice and ginger root;. There are also a number of commercial supplements such as magnesium, omega-3 and citrulline supplements. If, even after all of those efforts, blood pressure is still elevated, a health professional may prescribe drugs to help.

CoQ10 – Reduce Risk of Heart Failure

It is estimated that one-half of all heart failure patients die within five years of diagnosis. In the last decade, studies have found that patients with heart failure have significantly lower levels of CoQ10. To make matters worse, patients with heart failure are oftentimes prescribed statin medication, which is a type of medication that further lowers levels of CoQ10. Studies have found that older patients with heart failure who had low CoQ10 levels had double the risk of dying when compared to patients who maintained healthy levels. A recent ten-year study has found that CoQ10 can significantly improve the chances of survival for even the most severe heart failure patients. The study found that supplementing with CoQ10 can restore CoQ10 levels in patients with a deficiency which can extend lifespan and increase the quality of life. This article is going to take an in-depth look at this study to learn more about how CoQ10 can benefit patients of heart failure. Continue reading to learn more.

What Is Heart Failure?

Heart failure is defined as having the inability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. This is a growing epidemic in America and it estimated that close to six million Americans experience heart failure. If you have coronary artery disease, diabetes, are overweight, have high blood pressure or have a had a heart attack, your risk of heart failure is greater. Heart failure can cause other cardiovascular issues like blood clots, stroke, and heart arrhythmias. Studies have found that patients with lower levels of CoQ10 are at a great risk of heart failure. In fact, patients with low levels of CoQ210 have twice the likeliness to die than those who maintain adequate levels.

What Do The Studies Say?

Researchers enrolled 420 patients with moderate to severe heart failure and randomly assigned them to groups that would either receive a placebo or 100 mg of CoQ10, three times a day for two years in conjunction with their usual medication. The study found that 26 percent of the placebo recipients had experienced a major cardiac event over the course of that time. A major cardiac event can be categorized as needing to be hospitalized for worsened heart failure, died from a cardiovascular cause, needed an urgent heart transplant or artificial heart support. The group that had supplemented with CoQ10 only saw 15% of patients reach an endpoint. This translates to mean that those in the placebo group had twice the risk of a major cardiac event as opposed to those taking a CoQ10 supplement.

The Risk Factors

Other risk factors that can increase the chances of developing heart failure include:

High blood pressure
Diabetes
Sleep Apnea in wch the upper airway is partially or completely obstructed during sleep which will increase pressure on the heart and increase heart rate.
Smoking
Diet high in fat, sodium and cholesterol

Evidence strongly supports CoQ10 as having the ability to reduce the chances of suffering heart failure death. If you have a history of heart disease or failure, strongly consider talking to your doctor about the best way to implement CoQ10 into your diet to decrease your chances of dying from heart failure.

CoQ10: Miracle Enzyme?

Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, creates usable energy for cells which helps the body in various ways. It helps keep the oxygen levels of the blood balanced, which prevents premature aging in cells. It aids both the cardiovascular system function properly and strengthens neurological processing. Not only that, but it is linked to diminishing side-effects of menopause, depression, chronic pain, and even dry eyes.

A Breakdown of CoQ10

CoQ10 sounds too good to be true. How can a supplement made in the body be able to subvert medications and use the body’s natural biological processes to alleviate pain? Is it truly a replacement used to treat diseases?

The answer is, not really. CoQ10 is not a replacement; that’s why it is called a supplement. When added to your daily nutrient intake, it has been proven to alleviate many symptoms. As you age, your natural CoQ10 levels drop, especially when you are taking a kind of medication to lower your cholesterol called statins. Adding a CoQ10 supplement to your diet could vastly improve your quality of life by eliminating free radical damage to your cells. Here is a breakdown of different diseases and how CoQ10 can eliminate severe symptoms by acting as an antioxidant. CoQ10 balances oxygen levels in the blood while stimulating the mitochondrial function in cells.

Menopause

When a woman goes into menopause, extreme hormonal changes occur in her body. Some of the side effects of menopause are confusion and dizziness. Studies have shown that CoQ10 supplements helped patients’ cognitive functions return to normal within a short amount of time.

Depression

Many mental disorders like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar are not usually linked, until recent studies have shown that oxidative stress leads to symptoms of all of these diseases. Mental disorders stem from brain dysfunction is receiving too much oxygen, other vitamins and chemicals needed for the brain’s normal functioning cannot be absorbed. Clinical depression is diagnosed both by the lack of serotonin uptake in the brain as well as a feeling of anhedonia, or lack of interest in former hobbies. CoQ10 stimulates neurons in the brain and encourages blood flow, which is needed to bring brain function back to normal.

Chronic Pain

Besides eliminating free radical damage from over-oxygenation of cells, CoQ10 helps relax stiff muscles that result in unbearable pain. Unlike a pulled muscle or a stiff neck, chronic pain can be caused by nerve damage, which is what happens when there is too much oxygen in the blood.

Dry eyes

CoQ10 is known to help aging effects on tissues and cells, which is why dry eyes can be treated with the help of this coenzyme. CoQ10 protects tear ducts from being inflamed, a side-effect of older cells.

CoQ10: The Anti-Aging Formula

As you can see, CoQ10 works as a helpful antioxidant, bringing useful energy to the body’s cells while protecting them from being damaged. From mental disorders to dry eyes, CoQ10 is here to help you feel better, without taking unnatural substances that are foreign to your body. Although you already create your own CoQ10 yourself, as you age, CoQ10 levels drop, and sometimes are diminished when taking other medications. In this case, a supplement will help restore your quality of life.

Exercise & CoQ10

Coenzyme Q10 is better known as CoQ10 and has been used to eliminate free radicals from your body, reversing the aging process of your cells. Other studies suggest, however, that it can help with fat burning and provide you with more energy during your workouts. CoQ10 assists nerves and muscles by relaxing stiff muscles and abating swelling, as well as providing usable energy to cells. Not only will this help with overall weight loss, but can result in a faster metabolism as well.

Relieving Muscle Cramps and Increasing Function

Muscles require large amounts of CoQ10 in order to keep them functioning for longer and pain-free. Cells need energy and oxygen in order to function properly and CoQ10 provides the cells’ mitochondria with usable energy to perform the best they can. Taking CoQ10 supplements has resulted in more energy and higher endurance, resulting in longer workout times. For people suffering from muscle aches or stiffness, and even chronic pain, CoQ10 can help relieve some pain to help them get through the day. CoQ10 works with the cardiovascular system, strengthening the heart muscle and working as an antioxidant to help cells thrive. This double dose provides the energy and strength your muscles need for a good, long workout.

With the help of CoQ10’s antioxidant surge, free radical damage can be prevented, resulting in cells living longer, healthier lives. Strong cells also are found to burn fat at a faster rate. Using calories to burn fat can be dangerous if you burn too much and lose too much too fast. CoQ10 comes into play here by being a good supplement to balance the number of calories you are burning with calorie intake. Make sure to eat healthy foods and maintain a nutritious diet while you are exercising; it is dangerous to exercise on an empty stomach. Even though you are burning fat cells faster than normal, this could trigger oxidative stress which leads to muscle cramping, cellular damage, and even digestive issues.

CoQ10 In Food

CoQ10 is produced naturally in your body and it is also found in certain foods. To raise CoQ10 levels, you can choose a specific diet rich in vitamins A and E, as CoQ10 is a fat-soluble nutrient.

Some foods that contain CoQ10 are:

organ meats like kidneys and liver
cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower
fatty fish like salmon
legumes
sesame seeds
avocado

However, eating a rich, nutrient-filled diet won’t guarantee your CoQ10 levels being accurate. That’s why a supplement is recommended, especially to ensure CoQ10 levels will stay plentiful as you start burning calories during your exercise routine.

Dosage and CoQ10 Capsule Requirements

CoQ10 requires vitamins A and E in order to be synthesized properly in the body. You should take CoQ10 with food. Dosages vary from person to person, depending on their needs. CoQ10 levels are lower and lower as you age, and are especially diminished when you are on certain medications. For the best exercise performance, 100 mg- 300 mgs is suggested, but there is some flexibility as you figure out what works best for you. The supplement should help you feel more energetic, boosts your mood, and lowers your stress.

Side Effects Of CoQ10

Otherwise known as Coenzyme Q10, CoQ10 is necessary for every cell in your body. There are two types of CoQ10, Ubiquinone and Ubiquinol that can be purchased as supplements but you can also supplement CoQ10 through diet with foods like organ meat and lentils. It is stored in your mitochondria, the part of the cell that produces energy, and it has been shown to have a variety of health benefits. Some of those benefits include cancer prevention, cardiovascular health and cognitive function. This article is going to take an in-depth look at the risks and benefits that CoQ10 has to offer. Continue reading to learn more.

Blood Pressure

Studies have found that CoQ10 has the ability to lower isolated systolic hypertension by around 26%. Isolated systolic hypertension is elevated blood pressure that is over 140 mm. It can cause harm to your kidneys, brain, heart and can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. Changing your diet, balancing your weight and limiting sodium intake can help improve your blood pressure levels but supplementing with CoQ10 has been found to lower regulate your blood pressure. If you are already on medication for high blood pressure, taking a CoQ10 supplement can decrease your necessary dose.

Cardiovascular Health

CoQ10 protects your cells from oxidative stress. Conditions like heart failure generally occur from other cardiovascular conditions like unregulated blood pressure levels. By protecting from oxidative stress, CoQ10 can decrease your risk of dying from a heart problem and can improve the symptoms of heart disease. Studies have found that taking CoQ10 within 72 hours from experiencing a heart attack and continuing supplementation for a year after can significantly decrease your chances of suffering a subsequent heart attack.

Preventing Parkinson’s Disease

Your levels of CoQ10 decrease with age so to mitochondrial function decreases as you age. Mitochondrial dysfunction increases the chances of killing off brain cells which can lead to diseases like Parkinson’s Disease or Alzheimer’s. The brain has a high fatty acid content and a high need for oxygen which makes it especially susceptible to damage caused by oxidative stress. Supplementing with CoQ10 can restore mitochondrial function and slow the decline in people in the beginning stages of Parkinson’s Disease.

Migraine Headaches

Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to cellular calcium uptake that causes migraines and low brain energy. Taking a CoQ10 supplement can decrease inflammation that occurs during a migraine. Studies have found that patients who supplement with CoQ10 experience 30 percent fewer migraines than those taking a placebo. It is expected to take approximately three months to see a change in headache and migraine frequency.

Risks and Side Effects

Minor side effects reported by patients taking a CoQ10 supplement include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and allergic reaction. Dividing the dose can help prevent experiencing these side effects. The effects of CoQ10 on pregnant or nursing women are unknown and you should talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing before taking this supplement. CoQ10 may lower blood pressure. Make sure to talk to your doctor about CoQ10 to proceed with caution before beginning a supplementation regimen.

CoQ10 has a myriad of health benefits. Although you can supplement through your diet, talk to your doctor about supplementing in order to ensure that you are taking an effective and safe amount.