CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10): Overview, Health Benefits & Side Effects
What are CoQ10 Supplements? Best CoQ10 Supplement in Malaysia
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a nutrient that naturally exists in the human body. It is also commonly found in many food sources. As an antioxidant, CoQ10 can protect cells from damage and play an important role in metabolism.
In some patients, doctors recommend coq10 supplements as energy boosters and as a treatment for migraines and heart diseases. In other cases, CoQ10 pills are recommended as a treatment for degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
However, there are limitations to who should use the supplement.
This article will introduce the benefits of CoQ10, how to consume this nutrient, and discuss among the most popular CoQ10 products in Malaysia - which ones are considered to be the best CoQ10?
Why You Should Take Coq10 Supplements?
CoQ10 plays a role in cellular metabolism and is needed for the growth and maintenance of cells.
Aforementioned, Coenzyme Q10 nutrients are naturally produced in the human body - except in cases of deficiency where they need to be taken as supplements.
When produced, coq10 is stored in mitochondria cells where they help in energy production for the body. Aside from energy production for the human body, CoQ10 acts as an antioxidant and prevents cells from damage.
CoQ10 also plays a role in cellular metabolism and is needed for cells of the body for their growth and maintenance. Other benefits of CoQ10 supplements may include:
- Lowering of blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure
- Treating heart failure and heart diseases
- Reducing the risk of future cardiac arrest when combined with other regular medications
- Slowing down of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease
- Lowering of blood sugar and treatment of liver problems
In other cases, CoQ 10 can be used to manage
- Low sperm count cancer
- HIV
- Muscular dystrophy
- Parkinson’s disease
6 Health Benefits Of CoQ10 Supplements
It is critical to note that CoQ10 is usually found in foods but can be taken in supplements. Hence, we shall be using the word "supplements" mostly in this article. This doesn't in any way reduce the functions of the CoQ10 either in foods or in supplements.
There are several benefits of CoQ10 supplements to the body. Each of these benefits is linked to the function of the Coenzyme Q10 in different cells of the body. That is, their function in cells differs according to the organs where they are found.
Usually, Coenzyme Q10 is found in the mitochondria cells that require high energy for their activity. Some of these organs include the heart, liver, lungs and kidney. And majorly, the functions of CoQ10 in this article hovers around their functions in these organs.
Below, we discuss the health advantages of CoQ10 supplements to the human body’s wellness together with their organs.
Benefit 1: Heart Health
COQ10 supplements basically help the heart function properly and prevent further risks of heart disease.
The heart as a muscular pump is a vital organ to the body's circulatory system. It's saddled with the responsibility of pumping blood around the body. Hence, a default in its pumping action can affect the entire body. In some cases, default to the heart pumping mechanism can be lethal.
One major function of the Coenzyme Q10 is their reaction with free radicals in the body to reduce their activity. The reaction of Coenzyme Q10 with free radicals helps to reduce oxidative stress. Hence, low levels of Coenzyme Q10 will cause oxidative damage.
Oxidative damage caused to body organs can advance to organs of the circulatory system too. When oxidative damage occurs in organs of the circulatory system, it can lead to heart failure or inflammation of veins and arteries. Both heart failure and inflammation of blood vessels increases risks of cardiac arrest.
In a study, 420 people with heart diseases were treated with Coenzyme Q10 supplements for two years. After two years, it was observed that Coenzyme Q10 improved their symptoms and reduced their risks of dying from heart failure.
Benefit 2: Energy Production in Skin cells
CoenzymeQ10 removes wrinkles from the face, increasing thickness of skin making you look younger.
The skin is the largest organ of the body and it's responsible for the protection against internal and external damages against the body. Because the skin is located outside the body, it's able to withstand harsh conditions like extreme heat, radiation and high temperature.
Internally, the skin withstands changes due to hormonal imbalance or cellular damages. The inability for the skin to withstand these harsh conditions can lead to reduced skin moisture, and thinning of the layers of the skin.
To help the skin against the aforementioned conditions, some Coenzyme Q10 supplements are applied directly to the skin as part of a skin care routine. Once applied, it helps to reduce oxidative damage and reduce the depth of wrinkles on the skin.
Aside from harsh weather conditions, age also causes CoQ10 deficiency. It's what causes the wrinkled skin and many skin conditions in aged people. In this case, applying CoQ10 supplements helps maintain healthy skin and texture.
It's important to mention that low levels of COQ10 on the skin increase the chances of developing skin cancer. Hence, the need to take COQ10 supplements to prevent skin cancer and other skin conditions.
Benefit 3: Cure Migraine
Study shows that using CoQ10may be more effective when reducing migraine than placebo as carried out on 42 persons.
Migraines generally are due to electrolyte imbalance in the brain. When the membrane of a mitochondria brain cell is compromised, it can lead to the influx of calcium and increase the number of free radicals in the brain. When this occurs, there are decreased energy levels which is due to low antioxidant protection and consequently migraines.
Since CoQ10 is majorly found in the mitochondria, it helps to eliminate the free radicals in the brain and reduces inflammation and in the long run help to reduce migraine. It's why aged people or those with migraine deficiency suffer more migraines than those without.
It was also found in another study that about 1550 people experienced lower or fewer migraines when treated with CoQ10 supplements. Clearly, the effects of CoQ10 supplements on the brain cannot be undermined.
Benefit 4: Lower Blood Pressure
Doctors recommend CoQ10 supplements to patients to help them reduce their blood pressure
Blood pressure is basically the pressure blood exerts on its vessels. If too high, blood pressure can be detrimental to your organs, then you, as the host.
It's not impossible that decreased levels of CoQ10 in cells cause the influx of calcium ions in cells which will cause increased pressure. If this occurs, pressure in the blood will increase.
Commonly, doctors recommend CoQ10 supplements to patients to help them reduce their blood pressure. However, recent findings show that against what we knew, CoenzymeQ10 supplements don't reduce blood pressure, although this research is not yet publicly accepted.
Benefit 5: Neurodegenerative Diseases
Taking CoQ10 may help boost their levels in the human body and consequently prevent neurological problems.
Neurodegenerative diseases are diseases that alter pathways in the nervous system. These diseases cause the formation of plaques or blockage of signals within the nervous system.
As aforementioned, so many neurodegenerative diseases are associated with low levels of Coenzyme Q10. Some of these diseases are Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
In recent findings, clinical trials of CoenzymeQ10 supplements on patients with neurodegenerative diseases have shown positive results. The results showed that patients with Alzheimer's disease can be helped with CoenzymeQ10 supplements.
Benefit 6: Statin Side Effects
Coenzyme Q10 supplements help to reduce muscle pain and weakness as a side effect of statin use.
Some studies have shown that Coenzyme Q10 may help reduce the side effects caused by taking statins, such as muscle pain and muscle weakness.
According to a review of a research report published by Medical Science Monitor in 2014, according to the results of the study at the time, Coenzyme Q10 supplements (50mg, twice a day) effectively reduced statin-related mild to moderate muscle symptoms.
Findings have proven that CoQ10 reduces the interference of daily activities on statin-related muscle symptoms.
CoQ10 Dosage and Preparation
Concerning dosage, there is no standard CoQ10 dosage for all treatments. The dosage ranges between 50mg and 1200mg. Of course, these doses will be split daily. Also, the doses are dependent on your type of condition. For some, they may require more doses than others.
Just in case you are wondering, “how much CoQ10 should I take?" Here is a breakdown of the recommended intakes according to different disease conditions.
- Diabetes: 200 mg per day
- Migraine: 150-300 mg a day
- Heart disease: 50 mg to 200 mg a day
- Statin muscle pain: 100 mg a day
It's critical to note that taking COQ10 before bedtime can cause insomnia. Hence, the best time to take CoQ10 is generally believed to be in the morning or afternoon.
Sources of CoQ10
As you'll expect, the sources of CoQ10 may be dietary or supplemental. In this section, we shall be giving a list of dietary sources of CoQ10.
- Animal internal organs: heart, liver and kidneys
- Poultry: pork, beef and chicken
- Fatty fish: trout, herring, mackerel and sardines
- Vegetables: spinach, cauliflower and broccoli
- Fruits: oranges and strawberries
- Legumes: soybeans, lentils and peanuts
- Nuts and seeds: sesame and pistachios
- Oil: soybean oil and rapeseed oil
Generally, CoenzymeQ10 can be taken either as a diet or a supplement. However, it's essential to note that the amount found in foods is much lower than that in supplements.
It's for this reason that doctors advise patients to take Coq10 supplements instead of heavily altering dietary sources.
Our Top Picks: 3 Best CoQ10 Supplements in Malaysia
Here are three popular Malaysian Coenzyme Q10 supplements for your reference. What are their advantages and disadvantages? Let’s find out!
1. Blackmores CoQ10
Blackmores is a well-known Australian health care product brand. This Coenzyme Q10 is one of the best-selling Blackmores supplements and is considered one of the best supplements in Malaysia.
This product plays a key role in the production of energy by all cells of the human body and helps maintain a healthy body.
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2. Bio-Life Q10
Many people are familiar with the Bio-Life brand, and it is available on iPharmaHome, Malaysia’s largest e-commerce platform.
The brand's CoQ10 is a health product specially developed for people who are getting older. With age, the level of Coenzyme Q10 in the human body will decrease. This anti-aging supplement product can help the human body produce enough Coenzyme Q10 to combat old age.
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3. Nutriforte CoQ10
On iPharmaHome, you can also find many well-known brands of health supplement products, such as NUTRIFORTE.
The brand's CoQ10 is also very popular. It helps maintain the level of Coenzyme Q10 in the physique, stabilizes cell membranes, protects the components and functions of the cells, and helps to improve the health of the heart and prevent some diseases.
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Potential Side Effects of CoQ10 Supplements
Just like every other drug, there are side effects to CoQ10 supplements. The side effects of CoQ10 may be mild or severe depending on the person. The most common side effects of using CoQ10 are nausea, heart and diarrhea.
Risks
CoQ10 supplements offer so many benefits, but if not properly taken, they can be detrimental to one's health. For instance, patients with kidney disease or heart failure are advised not to take supplements. Likewise, people with diabetes or liver diseases are advised against taking CoQ10 supplements. The same goes for children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Interaction
People react to CoQ10 supplements differently. Some react vigorously and others do not react at all. There are several reasons why people react to CoQ10 supplements. But, we shall be giving you the three most common types of people who react to CoQ10 supplements.
- People who take blood thinners may react to CoQ10 supplements.
- People on thyroid medications will react too.
- And lastly, people on chemotherapy will react with CoQ10 supplements.
Do you by chance fall into the category of any of these people? Make it your utmost priority to consult your doctor if concerns arise.
Wrapping Up
To recap, sources of CoQ10 can be from food and Coenzyme Q10 supplements.
We’ve covered the importance of Coenzyme Q10 to human health, the benefits and also the efficacy of it. When you have any concerns regarding taking Coenzyme Q10 supplements, you should first consult your doctor for professional medical advice.
Among the many brands of Coenzyme Q10 supplements in Malaysia, Blackmores supplements are the best-selling.
In addition to the three products recommended in this article, you can also buy supplement products with other functions, including: products that help with weight management, vitamin supplements, vitamin C tablets or capsules, liver supplements, and so on.
The products sold on the iPharmaHome platform are strictly controlled, and the quality has won the trust of consumers.
For more trusted and genuine supplements products in Malaysia:
