Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that is found naturally in our bodies. Ordinarily, levels of this antioxidant decline as you age. These levels are also found to be lower in people with cancer, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and people with certain genetic diseases. Some prescription medications may also result in lower levels of the antioxidant.
Some of these benefits include maintaining a healthy blood pressure and healthy cholesterol levels. It also has many benefits for gum, brain, and skin health. Some studies have suggested that it may even slow hearing loss and prevent migraines. Other claims have been made that this supplement may help increase exercise tolerance, stimulate the immune system, and prevent or offset the aging process.
Ubiquinone levels can be increased by taking ubiquinone supplements. These supplements can be taken by anyone, but the people who will benefit the most from taking them include individuals who are taking cholesterol-lowering medications, people who have low levels of CoQ10 due to age, as well as those who have cardiovascular issues.
There are two types of supplements you may take, ubiquinone and ubiquinol. However, many doctors recommend ubiquinone over ubiquinol, as the latter has been known to cause fatigue in people taking it. Ubiquinone is generally less expensive and, perhaps the most convincing argument, it has also been the focus of many more studies than ubiquinol.
There are, however, some risks to consider before taking ubiquinone. Before taking ubiquinone, you should always consult your doctor. People with allergies, blood-platelet disorders, and those with diabetes should be especially cautious before taking these supplements. People with chronic diseases, such as kidney problems, liver problems, heart failure, or diabetes, are at risk because taking this supplement may result in lower blood sugar levels and lower blood pressure. Other, less serious side-effects may occur, including nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, headache, loss of appetite, and various allergic reactions. It is not known if ubiquinone is harmful to babies, so if you are pregnant or nursing you should consult your doctor before taking this supplement.
Ubiquinone has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a disease-treating medication. It should only be used as a dietary supplement, and should not take the place of any prescriptions. You should also be aware that levels of this antioxidant can be found naturally in certain foods. For example, it is found in beef, chicken, and in fish. These are some of the best sources for ingesting it naturally. Other sources include canola and soybean oil, peanuts, pistachios, broccoli, and cauliflower. Your dietary intake, however, cannot take place of what your body naturally makes, so it is, in many cases, necessary to take these supplements.
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