5 Things Your Cardiologist Won't Tell You About CoQ10

by Dr. Stephen Sinatra

Filed Under: Heart Health, Food and Nutrition, Nutrients and Additives

Last Reviewed 05/22/2012

Many cases of heart failure are actually a lack of CoQ10.If coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) was a drug, pharmaceutical companies would be fighting over the patent. It’s literally a “wonder pill” for treating and preventing heart disease. In fact, I’ve seen people who were literally on death’s doorstep rebound, and look and feel 10 years younger, just from this single nutrient.

But unfortunately, many cardiologists are still in the dark about CoQ10. In fact, I have a colleague who takes a statin drug ask his doctor whether he needs to take CoQ10. His answer, “You don’t need it.”

Here’s what doctors should be telling their patients about CoQ10:

1. Many cases of heart failure are actually a lack of CoQ10. CoQ10 sparks energy in every cell of your body, including your heart which is your body’s largest energy user. Without enough CoQ10, your heart can’t pump blood as efficiently as it should.

2. The lack of energy we call “aging” is often just a CoQ10 deficit. Your body naturally produces CoQ10 throughout your life, but production drops off as you get older. When I put people on CoQ10, they often feel 10 years younger!

3. CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant. It cleans up the destructive free radicals that are by-products of the energy production process.

4. If you’re on a statin medication, you MUST take CoQ10. Not only do statins stop cholesterol production, they also hinder your body’s production of CoQ10. That’s why many people end up with muscle aches and weakness while taking statins. Statins can also cause memory loss and a host of other problems. If you’re on a statin, you need to take at least 200 mg of a highly-absorbable CoQ10.

5. Not every CoQ10 supplement works. The form of CoQ10 you take affects how well it’s absorbed . Research confirms that hydrosoluble CoQ10 (such as Hydro Q-Sorb, which is what I take) is the most bioavailable, enabling the nutrient to reach much higher levels in the blood.

How much CoQ10 do you need? Take at least 100 mg of a highly-absorbable CoQ10 daily, and at least 200 mg if you have any form of heart disease or are taking statin medications. For best results, take CoQ10 in divided doses with your meals. It’s more readily absorbed with food (especially some fat).

Now it’s your turn: Do you take CoQ10?

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Meet Dr. Sinatra

Dr. Stephen Sinatra is a highly respected and sought-after cardiologist and nutritionist with more than 30 years of clinical practice, research, and study. His integrative approach to heart health focuses on reducing inflammation in the body and maximizing the heart's ability to produce and use energy. More About Dr. Sinatra

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