What is CoQ10?
What is CoQ10? Everything You Need to Know
Ask any esthetician or self-professed beauty guru, and they’ll give you an entire laundry list of products they recommend for keeping your skin youthful and radiant. Try browsing the beauty aisle yourself, and you’ll wind up equally as confused. After all is said and done, you could end up spending a fortune on everything from vitamins like B, C, and E to things like retinol and rosehip oil. But no matter the skin type, there’s one tried and true ingredient you must make a part of your skin care routine, and that’s CoQ10.
What is CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q10, commonly referred to as CoQ10, is a naturally occurring chemical compound that feeds our cells with energy. Found within the mitochondria of each and every one of your cells, CoQ10 has powerful antioxidant properties. In simple terms, CoQ10 creates a sort of shield for your skin, fighting off free radicals and other telltale causes of aging. Though it’s not obvious, your environment greatly impacts the health of your skin, so it’s important to protect it whenever possible.
Despite our body’s being able to produce CoQ10, this process slows significantly by the time we’re about 20 years old. A decrease in our body’s production of CoQ10 can result in a host of different health issues. In addition to aging, CoQ10 can be depleted by other underlying causes such as:
● Vitamin deficiency (such as B6)
● Long-term use of cholesterol lowering medications
● Genetic factors
● Mitochondrial disorders
There are ways in which you can supplement your CoQ10 to ensure your cells have the vital nutrients they need to thrive and replicate. CoQ10 can be found in many foods including liver, chicken, some fatty fishes, spinach, nuts, and legumes like lentils. Additionally, you can purchase capsules of CoQ10 for an easy way to energize your cells without having to watch what you eat.
What is CoQ10 good for?
CoQ10 delivers a variety of health benefits to the body. First and foremost, it’s responsible for creating adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which works to facilitate energy transfer at the cellular level. ATP is the force behind nearly every bodily function, so it’s consistent production is paramount to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. CoQ10 also acts as a powerful antioxidant that fights off free radicals, protecting your cells from oxidation that can end up interfering with typical bodily behaviors.
7 benefits of CoQ10
Slows down aging by creating a protective barrier on top of the skin.
Can improve endurance by invigorating your muscle cells with energy.
Shields hair & skin from free radicals and speeds up cell turnover.
Boosts keratin production for strong, healthy hair.
Evens out skin tone & texture by reducing the appearance of sunspots.
Soothes sun damage by fighting collagen degradation and providing protection at the cellular level.
Replenishes & regenerates skin cells so your skin, hair, and nails are always in tip top shape.
Is CoQ10 really necessary?
While there has been no direct correlation found, CoQ10 deficiency has been associated with many unwanted health concerns such as heart disease and some cancers. By no means is a CoQ10 deficiency life threatening. However it is crucial to our body’s process of manufacturing ATP, an essential element in aiding a healthy metabolism, cognitive function, and bone strength. So, whether or not CoQ10 is truly necessary is up to the individual to decide, but its benefits are undeniable.
Who should use CoQ10?
CoQ10 is safe for just about anyone to use. Of course, it’s always best to discuss any changes to your routine with your dermatologist or other healthcare professional. But generally speaking, eating foods rich in CoQ10, or introducing a supplement won’t do you any harm.
How much CoQ10 per day is needed?
Like most things, the amount of CoQ10 an individual needs per day is subjective, and dependent on a few factors. A standard daily dose will be between 60 to 500 mg, however dosages as high as 3,000 mg have been tested in clinical trials. Your dermatologist or other skin care professional can make a proper recommendation based on your age, your overall health, and any underlying health conditions or concerns. CoQ10 has not been found to adversely counteract with any other medications, so it can safely be consumed by most.
