Q10 is giving the world a boost

HAVING taken the U.S. by storm, co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is now one of the fastest-growing supplements globally — and for good reason.

A naturally produced antioxidant, it’s used to help convert the food we eat into energy to power our bodies and brains, so is essential to health, longevity and wellbeing.

It is also considered a must for those taking statins to lower their cholesterol. A daily CoQ10 supplement allows you to replenish levels of the co-enzyme lost during use of these medicines.

And the benefits don’t stop there. Because it is a powerful antioxidant, researchers think it may be able to help with conditions such as DNA damage, heart disease, immune function, diabetes, cognition and even migraines. Antioxidants find and neutralise free radicals within the body that play a part in these and other agerelated health conditions.

Levels of CoQ10 are reported to decline as we grow older, leading to lower energy levels and the degeneration of muscle and organs, such as the liver and heart.

Supplementation may have the potential to help slow down some of these effects of ageing, while boosting energy and helping to maintain strong bones and muscles, as well as youthful skin.

This amazing co-enzyme has also been shown to help maintain optimal pH levels in the body.

It is believed that diseases develop more easily where pH levels are not ideal, especially those that are insufficiently acidic. On top of all this, CoQ10 may help protect cognitive health.

Studies show that people with cognitive disorders tend to have reduced levels of CoQ10 in their blood, so supplementation could provide important protection.

The average diet is estimated to give us about a quarter of our CoQ10 requirements.

It is therefore important to eat a varied, nutrient-dense diet and to consider supplements, especially if you’re at risk of a heart-related or inflammatory condition.

One made by a Cambridgebased company is 18 times more absorbable than standard CoQ10.

This means more of the good stuff is delivered to your body, reducing the risk of side-effects when taking larger quantities, such as diarrhoea and constipation.