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What Is The Deal With CoQ 10?
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There’s a new nutrient on the block, and you’ve probably never heard of it!
We’re talking about coQ10, also known as ubiquinone. It is a compound most health-conscious people have only recently become aware of, and it turns out that it may be one of the most important things your body needs to maintain health, and to get the most out of the healthy foods you enjoy. Intrigued? Keep reading! Here you will find a guide for picking foods high in coQ10.
What the hack is CoQ 10? The whole concept of coQ10 is rather complex, but let’s break it down here in simple language. CoQ10 stands for coenzyme Q 10. The “q” in the name refers to “quinone,” the chemical group this compound belongs to, and the “10” stands for the number of isoprenyl chemical subunits it contains.
CoQ10 plays a role in helping your cells break down molecules from the food you eat into energy for your body. Put simply, coQ10 is what makes it possible for your body to benefit from eating in the first place and producing energy.
But what are the benefits of this coenzyme? What does any of that mean in plain English? Quite a lot actually. You see, coQ10 in its various forms is responsible for maintaining vital functions in the body. In addition to helping the body convert food into fuel, it helps regulate blood pressure. People with hypertension will benefit from supplementation with coq10.
Coq10/ubiquinol is also a fat-soluble antioxidant. One of the principal benefits of the coQ10 compounds is that they help fight harmful free radicals right at the source. The coenzymes help fight the harmful byproducts of the metabolic processes. Essentially, the very process that helps keep you alive is also what causes oxidative stress on the cells and contributes to the aging process over time, as well as other health problems. And Q10 fights it!
What the coQ10 compounds do is help reduce the reactive oxygen species in the body and lessen the damage done to the cells, while at the same time helping the body produce energy. That is why CoQ10 is considered extremely beneficial for people with age-related macular degeneration, as well as heart disease.
The body produces coQ10 naturally, but it is possible to become deficient due to unhealthy diet or certain health problems.
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Whether or not supplementation is right for you will depend on your specific health condition. As far as dietary intake is concerned, if you eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in vegetables, proteins and healthy fats, you’re probably getting enough. But just to make sure you’re covered, here is a useful guide for picking foods that will help make sure you’re taking in high amounts of coQ10 compounds.
1. Fatty fish
The benefits of omega-3-rich natural fat found in fish are becoming more and more well known. But these types of fish contain plenty of coQ10 compounds as well, and since they are fat-soluble, these fish provide an ideal source for absorbing them. Generally, fatty cold-water fish like herring and tuna are a good choice. Generally speaking, the leaner the fish, the less coQ10 compounds it will contain.
2. Nuts and seeds
These also make a fantastic source. Pistachios are a popular snack and a good source of these beneficial molecules. Interestingly, one of the best sources is a “nut” which health articles often dismiss: The peanut! While other nuts are much healthier in many ways, peanuts are a great choice if you want to boost your coQ10 levels.
READ ALSO: Nutrients That Heal Cancer Video
3. Meat
Meat is a good option too, particularly red meat, like beef. A small three-ounce serving of beef contains about 2.6 milligrams of coQ10. Chicken is also a plentiful source, but it usually offers about half as much as the same amount of beef would.
CoQ10 is a complex topic, but it seems to be worthy of discovery for your body!
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