Your body’s energy production relies on CoQ10. Your cells individually need CoQ10 for growth and maintenance. Your skin needs CoQ10 for renewal of collagen, production of beneficial collagen types, and elastin. CoQ10 can protect against UV damage, reduce skin inflammation, improve skin elasticity, and brighten all skin tones.
Levels of CoQ10 in your body decrease by 1% per year after age 30. CoQ10 powerful antioxidant levels are deficient in people with certain conditions, such as heart disease, and in those who take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. CoQ10 is found in meat, fish and nuts. The amount of CoQ10 found in these dietary sources, however, often isn’t enough to significantly increase CoQ10 levels in your body. CoQ10 dietary supplements are available as capsules, chewable tablets, liquid syrups, wafers and by IV. Because CoQ10 helps reduce the LDL cholesterol, blood flow to the skin improves, and thus CoQ10 indirectly helps many skin functions.
Research on CoQ10 use for specific conditions besides skin health and activities shows:
- Heart conditions. CoQ10 has been shown to improve symptoms of congestive heart failure. Although findings are mixed, CoQ10 might help reduce blood pressure. Some
- Diabetes. Although more studies are needed, some research suggests that CoQ10 may help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels in people with diabetes, lowering their risk of heart disease.
- Parkinson’s disease. Recent research suggests that even high doses of CoQ10 don’t seem to improve symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease.
- Statin-induced myopathy. Some research suggests that CoQ10 might help ease the muscle weakness and pain sometimes associated with taking statins.
- Migraines. Some research suggests that CoQ10 might decrease the frequency of these headaches.
- Physical performance. Because CoQ10 is involved in energy production, it’s believed that this supplement might improve your physical performance. However, research in this area has produced mixed results
