Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a well-accepted supplement that is beneficial for everyone in that it provides nutritional support for our cardiovascular system. It is also essential for the production of energy as it is used by nearly every cell in our body and in addition CoQ10 also acts as a powerful antioxidant protecting our cells from free radical damage. You can find CoQ10 in food such as fish, beef and peanuts. CoQ10 is an essential supplement if you are taking “Statin” medications (e.g. LipitorTM or CrestorTM); these are prescription drugs which are known to lower cholesterol. While these drugs are effectively known to lower cholesterol there are a list of negative side effects which include muscle pain and tenderness, weakness, fatigue and memory loss or confusion.
According to the Mercola Institute, “Statins lower your CoQ10 levels by blocking the pathway involved in cholesterol production — the same pathway by which Q10 is produced. Statins also reduce the blood cholesterol that transports CoQ10 and other fat-soluble antioxidants.” (Mercola, 2010).
When CoQ10 is depleted, one’s health becomes compromised as it leads to a loss of cellular energy and an increase in free radical damage, speeding up the progression for heart disease.
There are two forms of CoQ10: Ubiquinone and Ubiquinol. Ubiquinone is the oxidized form of CoQ10; when taken, Ubiquinone becomes metabolized by our bodies and is converted to Ubiquinol. As we age, the ability for our body to metabolize Ubiquinone becomes increasingly difficult, therefore it is advised to supplement with Ubiquinol (especially after the age of 40) as this will overcome this particular challenge. Ubiquinol is the reduced form of CoQ10 and accounts for 80% of the CoQ10 found naturally in our body. Ubiquinol protects cells from oxidative stress and recycles other antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C. Many researchers have indicated that Ubiquinol may have higher bioavailability and potentially be more effective when used at a lower dose compared to Ubiquinone. It is believed that Ubiquinol provides all the benefits of CoQ10 such as an increase in energy levels and help with heart, lung, kidney and brain health.
Ubiquinol and Statin Medication: As previously mentioned, we know that when you take a statin drug you deplete your body of CoQ10, the hearts primary energy source, thus furthering your risk of heart disease. If you are on a statin it is imperative that you are supplementing with CoQ10 in the form of Ubiquinol to neutralize the damage inflicted by the medication itself. A typical recommendation for anyone taking statins is 200mg daily. For optimal absorption you can take Ubiquinol in divided doses with a meal (it is best absorbed with some fat). It is important to mention that there are several challenges when it comes to taking Ubiquinol supplements. Ubiquinol supplements can oxidize rapidly and can go back to the original CoQ10 form, losing all the benefits that come with Ubiquinol. To prevent this from happening it is important you choose wisely when shopping for Ubiquinol and only purchase patented formulations; this will guarantee an effective high quality formulation and superior results. Consider Better Living’s top choice Ubiquinol by Restorative Formulations. This is a great formulation of the naturally occurring, reduced form of CoQ10. This supplement is available in vegetarian capsules at a 100mg dose and is free of GMO lecithin. When it comes to supplementation, we at Better Living are dedicated to providing our clients with the very best in health care. We only wish to dispense the most natural, therapeutic, safe and effective medicaments to our clients. For more information on CoQ10 and Ubiquinol supplementation please contact our dispensary and speak with our qualified team of health care professionals.
