Winter has just ended, and this time we sometimes feel our mood and energy level go down. Lower energy levels make us reach for fatty foods and sweets. But how can we improve our energy levels in a healthy way?
You might have heard of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) – a substance found in our body that acts as an antioxidant, protecting the cells from harmful free radicals.
As an antioxidant it has many health benefits: it can promote heart health, regulate cholesterol levels, improve fertility (in both men and women) and brain function, and decrease the strength and frequency of migraines.
Apart from being one of the most powerful known antioxidants, CoQ10 is involved in energy production. Many clinical trials showed that the consumption of coenzyme Q10 supplements significantly decreased fatigue levels by fighting oxidative stress.
One more amazing benefit of CoQ10 is that it may support healthier ageing. In a controlled trial women aged 45-60 who took coenzyme Q10 had significant improvements in the appearance of skin wrinkles, skin elasticity and smoothness.
It is not surprising that CoQ10 supplements (produced from fermented yeast) are very popular. They are usually very well tolerated, and no serious side effects have been reported in clinical studies.
Because CoQ10 is a fat-soluble compound, you should take CoQ10 supplements with food.
For a younger person, a healthy diet might be sufficient to supply the body with the necessary amount of coenzyme Q10, but as we age, maintaining optimal levels of it from the diet is not possible. How old should you be when you first start taking CoQ10? Research shows that coenzyme Q10 levels start to decline in the more important organs such as the heart around age 26 and in the skin around age 30.
So consider taking a CoQ10 supplement if you:
- want to improve your overall energy and well-being;
- are over 30 years old;
- need to improve the health of your cardiovascular system;
- wish to promote healthy ageing (improve cognitive function and skin appearance).
