No Energy? Lack Of This Vital Nutrient Could Be The Reason…

In this blog, we’re going to focus on a nutrient that has gotten a lot of attention in the last 5 or so years. Why? Because this nutrient is vital to ensuring that your body can produce enough energy. If you haven’t already guessed, we are talking about CoQ10 – which is short for Coenzyme Q10.

CoQ10 is not only vital for energy production, but you also need an adequate amount for good overall health and proper body function.

Looking back, you might remember the term mitochondria from science class. It was most likely (and rightfully) described as ‘the powerhouse of the cell’. Mitochondria are referred to as the ‘powerhouse’ because they are the structures in your cells that produce energy. If your mitochondria are healthy and functioning well, you’ll tend to have more energy.

However, as most people get older and/or start suffering from chronic diseases, their mitochondria do not function properly. This is the main reason people tend to have less energy as they get older, and also why most people with chronic diseases tend to have very low amounts of energy.

Mitochondria actually have their own DNA – separate from the DNA that you think of when you think of your own. This DNA is called mitochondrial DNA.

The nutrient CoQ10 is critical to supporting the health of mitochondrial DNA and, in fact, it can even repair damage to it, which is vital to the continued healthy function of mitochondria.

CoQ10 comes from two places:

1. Your body can make it – This happens mainly when you’re young and your body is in better health. However, even for those of us that are in pretty good health, the amount of CoQ10 our body produces starts to significantly decline by the age of 35 or 40.
2. Through diet and supplementation – As we age and make our way into our mid-thirties and later years, it’s critical to ensure that we’re getting enough CoQ10 through our diet.

1. Aging: For most people, internal CoQ10 production declines with age.
2. Statin drugs (Lipitor, Crestor…): These drugs seriously interfere with your body’s ability to make CoQ10. In fact, anyone taking a statin drug needs to be taking at least 100 milligrams of CoQ10 per day – possibly closer to 200 milligrams.
3. Poor dietary choices: If you’re not eating foods that contain CoQ10, then you’re relying on your body to produce what you need and, as most people age, it simply isn’t enough.

Some pretty good clues that you might be deficient in CoQ10 and would probably benefit from increasing your intake are:

• You’re over 35 years of age
• You’re on statin drugs to treat high cholesterol
• You’re suffering from a chronic disease
• You often feel like you don’t have enough energy

• Pasture raised meats
• Organ meats – particularly liver, heart and kidney
• Wild caught fish
• Pasture-raised eggs
• Grass-fed butter
• Avocados
• Olives and olive oil
• Broccoli and cauliflower
• Nuts (my favorite are walnuts and hazel nuts)

"I am in college and the long hours were getting rough. I used to drink energy drinks until I heard how bad they can be for you, but then I tried this. It has helped me in so many ways. Not only does it give me energy, but it also helps me focus. I also have no crash and feel energetic all day. I def recommend!"