Women generally tend to try every trick in the book to keep those wrinkles and fine lines away and would also do anything that it takes to shed extra pounds and lose weight. Well, there’s a secret enzyme that can help you achieve both at the same time and we are talking about Coenzyme Q10 which is also called as CoQ10 in short, also referred as the “spark plug” of our body. CoQ10 is also called ubiquinone and it’s an enzyme found in every cell of the body. The main functions of Coenzyme Q10 is to produce cellular energy, fight free radicals, and protect body cells and organs from damage. It cleans the body of harmful free radicals. Explaining it scientifically, CoQ10 generates energy and it’s a part of the electron transport chain. Our cells get energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and without CoQ10, the generation of ATP is not possible. It is remarkable that CoQ10 generates 95% of the human body’s cellular energy. When coQ10 is low, our energies are low.
What are the Functions of CoQ10:
1. Produces up to 95% of body’s energy, also called as cellular energy.
2. Neutralizes the effect of free radicals.
3. Prevents premature ageing.
4. Helps in regeneration of body cells.
5. Can protect body from high blood pressure, heart disease, and even cancer.
6. Makes skin appear younger.
How Coenzyme Neutralizes Free Radicals?
Ubiquinol is the antioxidant form of CoQ10, with an extra electron which can neutralize free radicals that damage the cells. It’s important for many chemicals reactions in the cells to take place. CoQ10 must to be converted to its active form ubiquinol before it can be used by the body. When we our young, our body can easily convert coq10 to ubiquinol, but as we age, this ability decreases. Low levels of CoQ10 also means less protection of body from free radicals and ageing process in a fast forward mode.
How CoQ10 Helps Skin:
As we age, the levels of CoQ10 levels fall considerably. When there’s a drop in CoQ10 levels, the collagen and elastin levels too fall. Collagen is the fiber that keeps skin firm and taut, and a depletion of collagen level, will make your skin loose and saggy. Also, with low CoQ10 levels, free radicals may not be neutralized well and as a result, fine lines and wrinkles may show.
How CoQ10 helps with Weight Loss:
A majority of overweight people have been found with low CoQ10 levels. As we have mentioned previously, coQ10 is a strong antioxidant as well as responsible for 95% cellular energy, and a drop will result in slow metabolism and slow burning of calories. People with slow metabolism have seen a drop in their weight with coQ10 supplements.
What Does Low CoQ10 Mean:
Do you know that scientists have deduced that a 25% deficiency of CoQ10 can result in an illness and 75% deficiency can cause even death.
- Low energy levels.
- Premature ageing.
- Wrinkles.
- Fine lines.
- Hypertension.
- Loose and sagging skin.
- More prone to viruses and bacteria.
- Risk of developing diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
What Factors Lower the production of CoQ10 Enzyme?
1. Stress.
2. Ageing.
3. High blood sugar.
4. Vitamin B6 deficiency.
5. Side effect of statin treatments that are taken for heart-related disorders.
CoQ10 can Prevent these diseases:
- Migraine
- Neurodegenerative disease.
- Heart disease.
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer.
Best Food Sources of Coenzyme Q10:
- Fish
- Egg yolk
- Grass-fed butter/ghee.
- Avocados.
- Olive oil.
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Sweet potato
- Pistachios
- Walnut
- Sesame seeds
- Hazelnuts
- Chicken
- Organ meats (liver, kidney).
- Peanuts
- Oranges
- Apple
- Berries
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Soybean oil
- Sesame oil
- Canola oil
Other than natural sources, if one is found with low CoQ10 levels, a doctor would suggest supplements to increase metabolism and to increase cellular energy.
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