1. Meet Secret Agent CoQ10
This antioxidant substance comes with more than an interesting name. Coenzyme Q10, better known as CoQ10, assists cells in making energy through ATP production. As an antioxidant, CoQ10 neutralizes free radicals that seek to damage your body and speed along aging. As if that's not enough, medical studies indicate that CoQ10 supplements may benefit heart health while treating conditions like congestive heart failure, breast cancer, gum disease and diabetes.
2. Controlling Diabetes May Soon be a Reality
New reports suggest that CoQ10 for diabetes may improve blood glucose levels. With studies still ongoing, one of the more promising comes from Royal Perth Hospital in Australia. Researchers gave 74 people with Type 2 diabetes either CoQ10 twice a day, 200 milligrams of fenofibrate (a medication used to treat high cholesterol) daily, both treatments or neither for 12 weeks. Patients who received CoQ10 alone or in combination with the fenofibrate showed better blood-sugar control plus a drop in blood pressure (diabetics often have high blood pressure) than people who received fenofibrate alone or neither treatment. One of the concerns raised about using CoQ10 to stabilize blood sugar is that a sudden drop in blood sugar might lead to hypoglycemia. Preliminary studies indicate this is not the case, but study is still ongoing.
3. Fight Back Against Diabetes' Companions
While there might still be questions about the part that CoQ10 plays in controlling blood glucose levels, everyone agrees with CoQ10's part in managing related conditions. Diabetes has three companions that often accompany it heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Coenzyme Q10 improves blood pressure and cholesterol in people with diabetes, and it's proven beneficial for heart health, as well.
4. Supplement with CoQ10 to Manage Diabetes
Talk to your doctor about adding CoQ10 to your regimen because it does interact with other medications, including those for chemotherapy and blood pressure. Reports indicate that CoQ10 may decrease the effectiveness of blood thinning medications like Warfarin, so it's a good idea to check with your doctor and pharmacist first. If health professionals give you the green light, buy CoQ10 in a nutrition/vitamin store in one of its different forms, including hard-shell or soft gel capsules, tablets or oral spray. Recommended dosages range from 30 to 60 milligrams a day. Because it's a fat-soluble supplement, it works best when taken with meals containing fat. Although not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, CoQ10 appears safe for other users.
5. Find Coenzyme Q10 in Diet
Coenzyme Q10 also shows up in natural sources in the diet, particularly oily fish, like tuna, seafood, organ meat and whole grains. In fact, most people receive enough CoQ10 in their diet as to not need supplements. It's only when specific conditions like heart disease or diabetes exist that you should investigate whether it can help manage the condition.
