Get Plenty of Coenzyme Q10

Aging leads to a decline in energy metabolism in many tissues, especially liver, heart, and skeletal muscle. Decreasing levels of coenzyme Q10, a vitamin like substance, as we age may play a role in this decline. Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 is used to treat several disorders related to suboptimal cellular energy metabolism and oxidative injury and has also been shown to be useful in alleviating the effects of abnormalities involving the heart’s ability to contract and pump blood effectively, such as congestive heart failure and a number of heart muscle diseases. CoQ10 also appears to work with vitamin E to help prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad” cholesterol). It’s believed that oxidized LDL can lead to plaque buildup, clogged arteries, and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. CoQ10 may reduce the ability of blood to clot, thereby decreasing the chance of a blood clot getting stuck in a clogged artery and causing a heart attack or stroke. Other heart-related conditions for which CoQ10 supplementation shows promise include hypertension and heart valve replacement. To bulk up on CoQ10 eat sardines, mackerel, nuts, organ meats, beef, broccoli, chicken, oranges, salmon, or trout.

If you have heart disease you should talk to your doctor before taking CoQ10. Organ damage due to the lack of oxygen / blood flow during intense exercise has been reported in a study of patients with this disease, although the specific role of CoQ10 is not clear. Vigorous exercise is often discouraged in people using CoQ10 supplements.