If there were one nutrient, that in my experience is the true elixir of youthful skin, a nimble body and energy levels that we recall from our 30’s – it’s this one!
In my study with Food and Nutrition Coaching and my years of working with women and understanding the midlife needs, I’ve read the works of some wonderful doctors, authors, papers and books about cellular health. There’s a common thread amongst all of them.
There’s one favourite little vitamin that all of these texts elude to as being the anti ageing, energy giving youthful vitamin that needs to be in everyone’s cabinet – especially if you’re over 30. It’s a powerhouse of energy that is known as the mitochondria’s ‘spark plug’.
It improves everything from heart, liver, kidney and pancreatic health to boosting the look of the skin. And thankfully I’ve been taking it for 10 years.
That essential nutrient is CoEnzyme Q10.
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What is it?
Only discovered as recently as 1957, not technically a vitamin but a substance that enhances the actions of other enzymes. Way back then it was routinely used in Japan as a treatment for heart disease and the moment, the Japanese manufacture all the CoQ10 in the world – so a quality supplement won’t be particularly cheap. If it is – it will be inferior product by far. (I recall the time I was talking to a 60 year old gentleman who thought it was a real bargain to find stocks of CoQ10 ‘on special’ at the local supermarket for only $2 a bottle). I can guarantee you he would have received no benefit from that product at all. As studies have proven, it’s not just heart disease but diabetes, lung and gum disease that are successfully treated with CoQ10. If you’re an athlete, it can improve fitness by increasing exercise endurance.
How does it work?
CoQ10 has been described as a biochemical spark plug – a critical cellular nutrient created in our mitochondria, the body’s ‘engines’.
The mitochondria has been referred to as the body’s ‘engine rooms’.
It’s instrumental in turning oxygen into pure energy. Our heart, liver, kidneys and pancreas have the densest mitochondria population so CoQ10 is vital for these organs to work efficiently. Our body naturally produces this nutrient up until about the age of 30 at which time it starts to deplete with the ageing process.
What happens if there’s a deficiency?
You can get that awful deflated, totally depleted, no energy feel. It’s not pleasant
All forms of stress deplete natural CoQ10. Over exercise, work stress, fatigue, lack of sleep and general ageing all deplete our own natural CoQ10. And one of the biggest issues with ageing is the widespread use of statin drugs to lower or block cholesterol. Unfortunately with the use of statin drugs, CoQ10 production is also blocked.
This kind of deficiency leads to heart and liver damage.
It can show up as muscle stiffness, pain, foggy brain, personality changes, chronic fatigue and in extreme cases – death.
Because there’s mitochondria everywhere in our body, it can turn up in all sorts of ways. But ultimately, if the body has NO stores or production of CoQ10 – it means death. Luckily most people today know that a coq10 supplement is needed alongside statins if you’re taking them. If you’re on statins and your doctor has NOT suggested this supplement, I’d suggest you ask why!
Check out this little video. It gives you a really good idea, simply presented, as to why our cells need this stuff:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJN-vTHSbnk
and if you liked that – grab your Coenzyme Q100 here. It’s the good quality, pharmaceutical grade product. Any questions, just email me!
What should I be aware of?
As we age, we seem to naturally expect to lose our ‘get up and go’. This natural reduction in CoQ10, because it works directly with our body’s engine rooms i.e. the mitochondria, may be the cause. It’s one of the most extensively studied of all vitamins and antioxidants and has been regarded by many experts as one of the most accurate biomarkers of ageing since its decline correlates so well with the ageing process. Personally – I take a CoQ100 (yes 100) supplement every day without fail. I also use a skincare line that is loaded with that particular nutrient as well as a full range of vitamins and antioxidants in the formulas.
I truly believe we can totally get on top of this ageing process and not let IT take control of us.
How does it affect skin health?
“It’s being used in this area because it has such a wonderful effect on the repair of tissue due to its antioxidant action and increase in oxygen uptake to cell tissue.” Penelope Sach, Sydney Naturopath, Herbalist and author. London based cosmetic surgeon to the stars, Dr Roberto Veol says ‘CoQ10 is one of the superstars of the cosmetic world’. After all, we have mitochondria in our skin cells, so it makes sense that this essential nutrient is key to reduced wrinkles and a more youthful appearance.
How do I get it?
It occurs naturally in foods such as beef, heart, liver, sardines, mackerel, salmon, white fish, peanuts, sesame seeds, walnuts, avocado, broccoli, olive oil, strawberries and cauliflower. However, it’s a difficult one to absorb, so don’t go thinking if you have a plate of salmon and broccoli for dinner you’ll be ok with your optimal levels of CoQ10!
This is why I personally recommend a good quality, pharmaceutical grade supplement that delivers an optimal dose with adequate bioavailability.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Centre you need between 30 and 200 mgs of CoQ10 daily and more if you suffer from Chronic Fatigue or Heart Disease. If relying on food you’d need to consume about a kilo of beef, half a kilo of sardines or a kilo of peanuts. Who’s going to do that?
My Suggestion:
Eat a wide range of foods where it naturally occurs. Order the best quality of CoQ100 supplement you can find and take it with a diet loaded with healthy fats. My favourite is from USANA Health Sciences as their dose is triple the standard CoQ10 you’d get anywhere else and their bioavailability is up to scratch. Consider your skin as well, and make sure you’re using a paraben free, mineral oil free range that’s safe on the skin and loaded with antioxidants and nutrients.
Your skin is your largest organ. It’s the one that protects all the inner organs from the outer world. CoQ10 is crucial to deliver to the skins cells so that your skin does the work it needs to do. It’s an elimination system, it’s a protective barrier and if damaged, many other body systems can become damaged. So remember whatever you apply topically becomes part of your inner biome.
You can get your supplements and high quality vitamin loaded skincare by clicking here!
Would you like to know how else I can help the health of your skin and body so that ageing need not necessarily be full of fear as we can sometimes expect it to be.
I believe we can maintain a youthful, strong, energetic body right into out 80s and 90s.
Ask me how!!!
I’m living proof that you can age backwards.
That’s me on the left 10 years ago and me on the right today at age 57. I’ve lived this truth and I can show you what you need to do.
References:
‘The Nutriceutical Revolution’ – Richard N. Firshein D.O
‘The Cholesterol Conspiracy’ – Dr Ladd McNamara
‘Comparitive Guide to Nutritional Supplements’ – Dr Lyle MacWilliam
CoQ100 facts sheet – Usana Health Scienceshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJN-vTHSbnk
