CoQ10 for Heart Health

Coenzyme Q10 (commonly called CoQ10) is a naturally occurring antioxidant that your body makes on its own. It helps protect your cells from damage and can be especially helpful for protecting your body during times of high oxidative stress (the more CoQ10 you make, the less damage your body experiences during times of stress).

CoQ10 also acts as a co-enzyme to help us get more energy out of our food, and has been shown to improve fertility in both men and women. Unfortunately, as we age, we produce less CoQ10 naturally in our bodies, and some medications can even block your natural production. With less of this helpful antioxidant, our cells can become damaged, which is especially bad news for our heart and blood vessels! 

The good news is, we can boost our CoQ10 levels with a simple daily supplement.  A supplement of CoQ10 can be helpful for people who are over the age of 40, people who take statin therapy, and people who want to improve their overall energy metabolism and reduce oxidative stress. CoQ10 supplements are generally considered safe with very few side effects (your body makes it naturally!), but people who take warfarin or other blood thinners should talk to their doctor before taking CoQ10 supplements. For most people, a dose of 100mg of supplemental CoQ10 a day is enough, but doses up to 300mg a day may be recommended based on your medical history.

Talk to your provider or dietitian about what dosage of CoQ10 is right for you!

- Katie Schaeffer, MS, RDN, CDN, CDCES 

Send a message via your patient portal, or call us today at 716-662-7008 to get connected with the dietician and lifestyle intervention services available at Inspired Health Group.