Coenzyme Q-10
Coenzyme Q-10 is a substance similar to a vitamin that is naturally found in many areas of your body, especially in your heart, liver, kidney and pancreas. It helps your body make ATP or adenosine triphosphate, which is a molecule that provides you with energy when broken down. CoQ10 also supports the proper function of many organs and other chemical reactions and it acts as an antioxidant. However, much more research is still needed to determine if taking CoQ10 will provide any medical benefit in humans, according to MedlinePlus.
Benefits
While further studies are needed, you may benefit from taking CoQ10 if you have heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. CoQ10 may inhibit blood clot formation and destroy free radicals that can damage your blood vessel walls, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, to see benefits you may have to take CoQ10 for several weeks or months and you must also develop healthy lifestyle changes. To increase your intake of CoQ10 choose foods such as salmon, tuna, liver and whole grains. While there is no one known dosage for weight loss or other medical condition, your physician can recommend how much is safe for you to take.
Athletic Performance
While there is no direct link to taking CoQ10 and weight loss, you do need to participate in regular exercise to fully manage your weight. Athletes and those looking to increase their level of exercise may take CoQ10 to get the energy needed to work out. However, taking CoQ10 will only improve your exercise tolerance if you have a CoQ10 deficiency; there is little evidence that it improves athletic performance in healthy individuals, reports the Linus Pauling Institute. If you have one of the medical conditions that may be helped by CoQ10 or your doctor determines that you have a deficiency, then consuming CoQ10 may help you exercise enough to support your weight-loss efforts.
Safety
CoQ10 is considered generally safe; however, you may develop side effects such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, loss of appetite, rash, insomnia, headache, dizziness, irritability, increased light sensitivity of the eyes, fatigue and flulike symptoms, notes MayoClinic.com. CoQ10 may also affect your blood sugar levels, so if you have diabetes, talk to your doctor first. CoQ10 can affect your blood pressure and interact with other herbal, over-the-counter or prescription medications you may be taking. You should not take CoQ10 if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless under medical supervision.
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