Is CoQ10 Essential for Athletic Wellness?

LIke many supplements, Coenzyme Q10 (also referred to as CoQ10) is something your body produces naturally. It is an antioxidant that your body uses to help cells grow. But, as is the case with most deficiencies,  there are a number of reasons that your body could be lacking it.


What causes deficiencies?

coq10 deficiency


Aging

One of the most likely reasons your body could be deficient is aging. As we age, our cell structure is diminished and the basic components in our bodies need assistance and supplementation to perform their functions [1].


Poor Diet

Coenzyme Q10 can be found in a variety of foods such as organ and muscle meat (heart, kidney, liver, chicken, pork, and beef), fish high in fat, certain fruits and vegetables, and legumes like lentils and peanuts. Although the amount of CoQ10 available in these foods may not be enough to supply your body with all that it needs, adding these foods to your diet can definitely make a difference [2].


Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions can also impact the amount of CoQ10 in your body. Heart disease [3], cell disease (specifically of the mitochondria) [4], and genetic defects [5] can prevent proper synthesis of CoQ10 or cause disruptions in the process and utilization of the antioxidant.


Statin Treatments

Statins are a type of drug prescribed by doctors to reduce lower cholesterol. While they can appear as a heaven-send to patients at risk for heart attacks and strokes, they can come with serious side effects [6].


For the most part, any substance that is naturally produced by your body is essential for your general health. And if it is crucial for general wellness, it is certainly crucial for athletic wellness, which your body needs sufficient supplements to maintain and which is most quickly deteriorated by expending the body’s energy and resources.


How does it help me perform better?

Coq10 Supplement


Reduces Fatigue

During exercise, you want your body to perform at its peak—and for good reason. The better your body performs, the more you’ll get out of your workout. In addition to going to the gym to bulk up or shed pounds, the gym is a great place to get energized and feel alert throughout the day. So, feeling tired is the last thing you want during that time.

CoQ10 has been proven [7] to reduce fatigue during periods of physical exertion. In fact, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)—a crippling disorder of intense fatigue that hasn’t been associated with any specific medical conditions—saw significant improvement of their fatigue after eight weeks of coenzyme Q10 and NADH supplementation[8]. With the right CoQ10 supplement, you’ll be able to put more power in your workouts so you can get the results you want sooner.


Reduces Oxidation

Highly reactive free radicals (and large amounts of them) can disturb the way cells function. Such disturbances result in oxidative damage and mean bad news for your health. As an antioxidant, CoQ10 helps provide cell protection and prevents oxidative stress in cells throughout the body [9].

With sufficient damage to your cell structure, your body is at risk for serious conditions, including cancer [10]. Much of the oxidation that occurs in the body is a result of aging. However, even if you can’t see any symptoms yet, taking CoQ10 can help with prevention and keep you feeling (and performing) young for as long as possible.


Reduces Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Affecting only about five percent of the world’s population, fibromyalgia is a condition that continues to puzzle researchers everywhere. As difficult is it is to treat, modern research [11] suggests coenzyme Q10 as a possible solution for relief of this complex disease.

People suffering from fibromyalgia often experience symptoms that can significantly affect athletic performance, including fatigue, aches and pains, and paresthesia (the type of tingling you feel when your foot falls asleep). Supplementing with CoQ10 can improve these symptoms and help boost your athletic performance without discomfort.


Improves Heart Health

It can be easy to forget how important a healthy heart is when it’s working 24/7 without disruption. But as soon as the heart has an issue, the rest of the body can start to shut down. Day in and day out, your heart pumps blood throughout your body literally keeps you alive and moving.

If the heart can’t properly perform its functions required to pump your blood, it experiences failure [12]. When an individual experiences heart failure, it can be tough to get moving with exercise—not to mention scary, especially if overexertion can put your failing heart at even further risk.

CoQ10 is a great treatment for heart failure as it helps manage the condition without the serious side effects associated with other treatments. Researchers tested the effects of CoQ10 on patients with chronic heart failure and found that the antioxidant helped reduce symptoms of heart failure and serious cardiovascular events [13].

 

Okay, CoQ10 is great. But do I really have to take it?

We understand it can be overwhelming to learn of yet another supplement you’ve been missing out on. However, when consuming a diet relatively rich in CoQ10, you won’t have to supplement as much to make up for what you’re lacking. Having said that, it is still crucial to make sure your body is sure your body has enough of it, as it can greatly affect your overall health and the way you perform during physical exercise. It isn’t called an essential nutrient [14] for nothing!

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