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Daily CoQ10 Requirements

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an enzyme that functions as an antioxidant and aids the production of cellular energy in the human body. In addition, CoQ10 reduces histamine levels, improves insulin sensitivity and enhances the strength and function of your heart muscles. While you can get much of your CoQ10 requirements from your diet, the amount of CoQ10 you need each day increases with age and is affected by medications.

  1. Healthy Adults

    • Healthy adults over the age of nineteen do not require supplements of CoQ10 as their bodies will produce this enzyme naturally and they will also obtain CoQ10 from the diet. If you want to reduce fatigue or use CoQ10 as an antioxidant, then consume foods containing high levels of CoQ10 such as beef, mackerel, salmon, sardines, peanuts, organ meats, whole grains and spinach. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends adults over the age of nineteen can safely take 30 mg to 300 mg daily.

    Adults Aged 50+

    • Adults over the age of fifty have increasing requirements for CoQ10 in the body due to poor immune function, increased exposure to free radicals and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and heart failure. According to Phyllis and James Balch, authors of "Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing", any healthy adult over the age of fifty is recommended to take at least 50 mg of CoQ10 daily to prevent chronic degenerative diseases.

    High Cholesterol

    • Although drugs used to lower cholesterol levels are designed to protect the heart from disease, statin drugs such as atorvastatin, cerivastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin decrease the body's production of CoQ10 by up to 40 percent. A study published in the "Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine" in 2010 reviewed clinical studies on CoQ10 and found most scientists recommended 100 mg to 200 mg of CoQ10 in patients taking statin medications for cholesterol.

    Heart Function

    • Supplementing with CoQ10 helps to support cardiac function and improve recovery from cardiac diseases such as heart attack and congestive heart failure. A study published in "The Clinical Investigator" in 1993, found CoQ10 supplements improved symptoms, hospitalization and complications of patients suffering from congestive heart failure. During this study patients were given the high dose of 2 mg of CoQ10 for each kilogram of body weight.

    Warnings

    • Taking supplements of CoQ10 is considered safe with very few recorded side effects. Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, skin rash, digestive discomfort and allergic reaction. In addition, supplementing with CoQ10 may thin the blood and cause an increased risk of bleeding. People taking anti-coagulant, anti-platelet, diabetic and anti-hypertensive medications are advised to consult to their health professional before supplementing with CoQ10.

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