If you’re lacking energy or taking statins you’re likely to be interested in the benefits coenzyme Q10 may bring you.
What Is Coenzyme Q10?
Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin like substance, your mitochondria make it and it’s necessary for energy production. It’s also an antioxidant and helps protects cells against damage.
As well as making it yourself, you can get some from your diet (the best source is organ meats), and some people choose to supplement.
When you don’t have enough of coenzyme Q10 your energy takes a dip, and you’re also more prone to getting ill. Low levels also speed up the aging process because you can’t produce enough energy to maintain and repair your body.
Benefits of Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is an essential molecule for energy production. It’s also one of the most important antioxidants your body needs to protect itself from damage. When your body has neither the energy to run properly or the tools needed to protect itself against damage – you’re open to get ill and develop disease.
Both of these reasons make it important for good immune system function, which is pretty important in these days of Covid-19 and why I included it in my advice of boosting the immune system.
Why Your Levels Might Be Low
Two common reasons for low levels are getting older and taking statins.
Levels tends to drop with increasing age. People interested in feeling good and preserving their health as they get older often add this into their supplement regime to safeguard against this inevitable age-related drop.
Statins (cholesterol lowering drugs) knock out much of the body’s natural production of cholesterol, but in doing so they also knock out production of coenzyme Q10. This is why common side effects to statins include physical and mental fatigue, and also muscle aching.
If you’re taking these drugs you might find Dr Malcolm Kendrick’s book The Great Cholesterol Con and enlightening read.
Supplement
I started taking a supplement of 100-200mg to improve the energy crash that hit me when I started with the menopause. If you’re low in energy it might be worth trialing a supplement of coenzyme Q10 for 2-3 months to see if it helps. Remember though – there’s lots of reasons for low energy and this is by no means a magic bullet all on its own.
If you take statins it’s definitely worth considering a supplement, because your levels will be compromised.
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Anyone with a chronic health condition may benefit too, because it’s usually a body with failing energy that succumbs to illness.
If you’re going to try a supplement ubiquinol is the most absorbable form of coenzyme Q10, and because it’s a fat soluble molecule it’s best taken in an oil filled capsule.
It’s rare to have side effects because it’s a natural substance.
Menopause Help Available
Have great week.
Dr Julie
PS If you’re already taking it let me know in the comments.
Hi Julie
Thinking of giving these a go. Yes, I am taking a statin, also type 2 diabetic on insulin and Amlodipine 10mg. Where do you buy your tablets from? Found them on Amazon Qunol plus ubiquinol 200mg with Omega-3 250mg £42.99 for 90. Hope you are well, you definitely sound it, I’m sure I will feel better when it’s cooler.
Hi Wendy – that is exactly the one I’m taking at the moment by the sounds of it 🙂
Hi Julie,
I just found you through a search on plant based doctors.
A month ago I was prescribed 40 mg of Atorvastatin tablets. This was because of a TIA which slightly affected my left eye’s peripheral vision.
I am much improved with only a very slight shadow residual region near the 11:00 location.
I have been WFPB for 2 years and my cholesterol levels have steadily dropped with the hospital blood work showing 3.9 when it was done during my overnight stay 3 June,
Being put on this level of the station has sapped my morning energy.
I am anxiously hopping that the CoQ-10 will assist with this. I also want to discuss with my GP for the possible reduction or even gradual elimination of it if my numbers are already low. Any thoughts?
With the conventional medical approach the advice is likely that you’ll be taking statins for life + the reason your numbers are low is because you’re taking them. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get far with that approach.