America's #1 Integrative Cardiologist
Years ago, I was one of the first cardiologists to recommend coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to my patients. That was long before most people knew what it was, much less took it.
Now there have been thousands of research studies on CoQ10 and it’s the top nutrient I recommend to anyone concerned about their heart and overall health. In fact, if I were stranded on a desert island and could have one nutrient with me, CoQ10 would be my top choice. It’s that important for your heart, cellular energy, and overall good health.
What Is CoQ10?
Inside each of your cells are tiny energy factories, called mitochondria. They take the food you eat and turn it into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the fuel your body runs on. CoQ10 is the “spark” that begins that energy production process. Without CoQ10, ATP can’t be generated.
The more energy a cell needs, the more mitochondria it contains. So, it’s no surprise that the cells in your constantly beating heart contain about 5,000 mitochondria per cell—which is far more than any other organ in your body.
CoQ10 helps to keep those mitochondria performing at optimal levels, like a power plant operating at full capacity. That’s precisely what you want to feel energized and vital all day, every day.
Who Should Use CoQ10?
While I started taking CoQ10 in my 30s, age 40 is when levels start to naturally decline in the body and levels really start to decline after age 60. That’s often when people start to notice dwindling energy or maybe their first “less than optimal” heart health numbers.
With less CoQ10, your mitochondria have less energy. It’s like turning down the output on your body’s power plant which is exactly what you don’t want!
Therefore, I highly recommend CoQ10 to everyone, beginning at age 40. For those over 65 or taking cholesterol-lowering statins (or many other common cardio medications), I recommend 100-200 mg of CoQ10—and for the greatest benefits, I recommend that you consider taking the full 200 mg dose.
In fact, taking 200 mg of CoQ10 is becoming the standard protocol in many doctor’s offices. The reason is that this generous “professional strength” dose ensures you’re getting the levels needed to replenish CoQ10 depletion, power up your cells, and offset any depletions caused by statins or other cardio meds. So, you're supercharging your cells with the cellular energy that you need to feel healthy and vital.
What Is the Best CoQ10 to Take?
I get this question all the time! CoQ10 comes in two forms, ubiquinol and ubiquinone. Ubiquinol is the form your body produces, which is something ubiquinol manufacturers use as a selling point. Not surprisingly, it’s also the more expensive form of CoQ10.
Yet, as a cardiologist who has studied CoQ10 for more than 40 years, I’ve found that high-quality ubiquinone gives you the same benefits as ubiquinol for a fraction of the cost. This is important since it allows you to get a full 200 mg CoQ10 dosage, without breaking the bank.
The form of CoQ10 I take and use in my formulas is Hydro Q-Sorb®. It was produced by a brilliant researcher who discovered a way to wrap each CoQ10 molecule in a water-loving substance called gamma cyclodextrin. This lets it pass more easily into the cells where it can go to work fueling your mitochondria—so it’s seven times easier for your cells to absorb and three times better absorbed than powdered CoQ10.
The Bottom Line
If you’re over 65, taking a statin, or want more cellular energy, I highly recommend taking 200 mg of CoQ10 daily. That’s the best way to replenish CoQ10 depletions and power up your cells.
With any CoQ10 supplement you take, you want to make sure it’s highly bioavailable—and you want to take it along with other nutrients to support the health of your heart, including resveratrol, turmeric, omega-3s, B vitamins, and more.
To make it easy for you, I included a full 200 mg of Hydro Q-Sorb CoQ10 in my new Omega Q Plus® PRO formula. In this formula, I also tripled the resveratrol dose to 90 mg daily for boosted blood flow and circulatory system support. These dosages are based on the latest clinical research showing remarkable benefits for optimal cellular energy and powerful support for blood flow and healthy circulation.
