What is Coenzyme Q10 and what are its benefits?

3 Benefits to having CoQ10 in your diet

1. Protects your body

Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring antioxidant which helps to protect your body from illness and damage that can be caused by particularly harmful molecules.  CoQ10 produces the energy needed by your body to grow and maintain cells, all of which help to protect your body from infection.  This growth slows down as you get older which is why foods containing CoQ10 (like our Milled Flaxseed Almonds Brazil Nuts Walnuts & CoEnzyme Q10 blend) should be added to your diet.

2. Aids the digestive system

While CoQ10 doesn’t do this itself, it aids the enzymes that work in your body to digest food.  Digestion of food is important as it breaks down your food providing the relevant nutrients to your body.  These nutrients work with CoQ10 to contribute to cell growth and maintenance while also releasing energy to your cells to carry around the body.

3. Useful when exercising

The energy that CoQ10 can provide to the body is a big help in both aiding your performance and recovery when it comes to exercising.  While it won’t play as big a role as something like carbohydrates which slowly releases the energy, CoQ10 can be a good addition to your diet on days when you are training and exercising.

Where can you find CoQI0?

Coenzyme Q10 can be found in small levels in some foods, particularly organ meats like heart, liver and kidney.  These cuts are often disregarded but can bring huge health benefits to your diet, not only with Coenyzme Q10 but also with minerals like iron and protein. CoQ10 can also be found naturally in some level in oily fish like sardines and nuts, with peanuts in particular having good levels of the enzyme.  It is also available in supplements but if you can find it in foods that are good for your diet and body, then we think that’s a winning combo.

Check out our chicken cous cous salad recipe for a quick, easy and tasty way to get Coenyzme Q10 into your body.

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Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/tc/coenzyme-q10-topic-overview
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/coenzyme-q10/evidence/hrb-20059019