CoQ10 is an interesting supplement, as it can supposedly benefit the human body in a number of incredible ways, according to those who swear by it. But what does science say about CoQ10? And what is it, anyway?
How much CoQ10 should I take? And are there any people who shouldn’t be taking CoQ10 as a supplement?
There’s a lot that, even those people who are health-conscious, people don’t really know about CoQ10. And it’s pretty important to have a knowledge of the substances you decide to consume and bring into your body, even if it’s being marketed as a health-focused supplement that anyone can take.
So what can CoQ10 do for your body, and your mitochondria, specifically? Is it really true that someone at any age can truly have CoQ10 supplements in their regular routine? And if you find yourself wondering, “how much CoQ10 should I take?” who’s suggestions should you be listening to?
Is it enough to trust your own opinions? Or should you talk to a doctor or medical professional in order to answer that “how much CoQ10 should I take” question?
What is CoQ10?
CoQ10 is actually an antioxidant, and its full name is coenzyme Q10. This coenzyme is additionally made by the human body of its own accord, pretty naturally. And it’s typically used for maintenance and upkeep of the body overall.
Levels of CoQ10 are generally pretty regulated by the body, but it is possible for those levels to drop or otherwise be too low. For example, some scientific studies from the NCBI (the National Center for Biotechnology Information) explain that some people can have genetics that make them less likely to produce sufficient enough levels of the antioxidant.
Additionally, it looks like CoQ10 levels drop with age, with the presence of some particular heart diseases, or if someone is taking a certain type of cholesterol-lowering medication for other medical reasons. That means that there are some particular groups who could benefit from taking CoQ10 supplements.
What are Mitochondrial Benefits of Taking CoQ10 Supplements?
Whether you have a CoQ10 deficiency or not, there are some potential additional benefits that can be received from a supplement of the antioxidant. What kinds of benefits are these?
In particular, CoQ10 can be helpful in maintaining mitochondrial health in your body. This is largely because, when your body makes enough of the coenzyme on its own, CoQ10 can help provide extra energy to the parts of your body that need that energy the most. And mitochondria are most densely populated in those tissues and cells that need lots of energy.
Generally, because of this, CoQ10 can also be used for those who are interested in boosting the amount of energy they have on a day-to-day basis. So CoQ10 can potentially promote and take your energy levels up a notch, giving you a few more capabilities during your workout or even just during slow days in the office or at school.
However, this is still only theoretical and yet to be proven, so it’s highly recommended that you make any health-oriented steps with caution, even with something that seems as simple as a little supplement.
CoQ10 also is supposedly good for a number of other things, including treating heart conditions and promoting the health all over your body. While nothing can be confirmed with the utmost certainty, there’s some promising data that indicates CoQ10 can help those who’ve recently had heart surgeries heal more quickly,
And there is also the idea that the antioxidant can lower blood pressure, as well as manage levels of cholesterol and other fats in the bloodstream, which could be monumental in expanding life expectancies and quality of life if it proves to be true.
How Much CoQ10 Should I Take?
If you’re wondering, “how much CoQ10 should I take?” it may be a good idea to do a little bit of research and have a conversation with your doctor or another medical professional, especially if you have serious concerns about being CoQ10 deficient for one reason or another.
However, if you’re planning on taking CoQ10 supplements for reasons other than deficiency concerns, like if you would like to try to take advantage of the potential positive benefits that could come with the antioxidant. Most of those who manufacture these CoQ10 supplements will recommend taking somewhere between 500 mg and 1200 mg on a daily basis.
But there are some manufacturers that have a higher level of absorbency for their particular CoQ10 supplements, meaning that you may be advised to take a dosage of the antioxidant that’s as low as 10 mg per day.
Who Should be Taking CoQ10 Supplements?
As noted previously, those who are CoQ10 deficient may want to more strongly consider taking these supplements, especially if you’ve received that recommendation from a medical professional for any reason.
However, there is a specific group of people that should not be taking these supplements, mostly because of scientific concerns related to safety. This group includes children, those who are pregnant, and those who are breastfeeding. So that could mean that, while CoQ10 supplements can be used across a wide range of ages, they should not be used for all ages.