John Arts Abundant Living www.johnarts.co.nz

Co enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is essential for energy – and a deficiency will can make us abnormally tired with weak muscles. As an antioxidant it also prevents dangerous oxidation of cholesterol trapped in artery walls which can lead to artery blockages.

We produce CoQ10 less efficiently as we age. The creeping tiredness that affects us later in life can be from insufficient CoQ10. Statin medications also reduce CoQ10 and are often responsible for many of the side effects, including muscle weakness, pain and general malaise. Some problems, especially autoimmune and neurological disease, seem to lower CoQ10 levels possibly through increased demand from the disease processes.
Healthy people under the age of 50 do not need CoQ10 supplements. However, increasing age and some diseases make a strong case for controlled supplementation.
I include it as nutritional support for most circulatory problems and many neurological and autoimmune diseases including Parkinson's, MS, CFS, FM and PMR that all cause low energy. I regard it as essential when taking cholesterol medications to protect against muscle problems, fatigue and memory loss.
For example, I recently created a programme for someone with MS and she has noted a distinct improvement in her energy and general wellbeing. I have had the same reports from people with Parkinson's.
We cannot greatly impact these disease processes but we can help with the often crushing fatigue, and improve real quality of life.
I add CoQ10 either as a separate patented US sourced product or as part of my own energy formula with CoQ10, B vitamins, resveratrol, lipoic acid and many other energy co factors.
Please contact me for personalised advice for your circumstances. My online newsletter is at: www.johnarts.co.nz and has the full version of this column. John Arts is a Nutritional Therapist and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more go to: www.sunlive.co.nz