Essential Supplements for Aging – CoQ10

Maybe you have heard about CoQ10. The talk says it is good for you especially in maintaining health as you age. But you wonder if it really is worthwhile; how it works and why to add another pill to your daily routine. Well, my recommendation is that the facts are pretty clear and that taking CoQ10 is a good thing for your health particularly as you age.

What does it do?

CoQ10 or Coenzyme Q10 is a substance produced by the body and is required for the basic functioning of cells. Levels of CoQ10 decrease with age and may be decreased by some chronic conditions such as heart disease, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s Disease, cancer, diabetes and HIV. In addition, CoQ10 levels may be reduced by some prescription drugs such as statin drugs commonly given to reduce cholesterol levels. Use of statin drugs may reduce the natural production of CoQ10 by 50% in a matter of weeks because the function of statin drugs is to inhibit an enzyme which is involved in the synthesis of both cholesterol and CoQ10.

CoQ10 is particularly important in the heart muscle which requires large amounts of CoQ10 to keep beating. Studies suggest that high doses of CoQ10 will protect the heart muscle from age related oxidation and can improve heart function.

CoQ10 is also an antioxidant which slows the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). It is the oxidation of LDL which can damage the inner linings of the arteries leading to many heart problems. A recent study shows that higher CoQ10 levels correlate with higher survival rates for chronic heart failure patients.

How much should I take?

Doses of 35 to 50 mg are considered typical but several studies have used doses of up to 200 mg. If you have a heart condition or are taking the dangerous statin drugs, higher does will help limit the damage.  In the case of statin drugs, a better solution is to find an alternative treatment and eliminate the statins altogether.

Where can I get more information?

There is much information about CoQ10 available on the web. One of my favorite sources is the Life Extension Foundation which sells supplements but also provides references about the benefits for the public.