| If your diet isn't producing the results you're | | | | Though the body naturally manufactures the |
| looking for, CoQ10's benefits for weight loss could | | | | coenzyme, the ability to produce it decreases |
| be just what you need. | | | | with age. It is believed that CoQ10 production |
| Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring substance | | | | may start to drop in early adulthood, which could |
| found in every cell. Its ability to neutralize and | | | | be one reason that losing weight is often a |
| even repair free radical damage has gotten it a lot | | | | challenge for older people. |
| of press as an effective anti-aging supplement. | | | | A study published in the International Journal of |
| However its primary function - assisting with the | | | | Complementary Medicine tracked 100 morbidly |
| production of energy at the cellular level - also | | | | obese patients, all on a calorie-restricted diet. |
| makes it important to achieving and maintaining | | | | Blood levels of the coenzyme were found to be |
| healthy body weight. | | | | low in more than half the the participants. |
| The coenzyme is found in the cellular | | | | The participants with low levels of the coenzyme |
| mitochondria, where it helps with breaking down | | | | were given a 100 mg daily supplement, while the |
| fats and other nutrients and converting them to | | | | remaining participants took no nutritional |
| energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate | | | | supplements. After two months, the group taking |
| (ATP). The body's immune, digestive, and other | | | | the supplement had lost an average of 30 |
| systems are powered by this energy. | | | | pounds, while those taking no supplements lost an |
| CoQ10 is known to enhance metabolism, which in | | | | average of 13 pounds. |
| turn gives us more energy, greater endurance, | | | | While researchers stress that taking supplemental |
| and an improved ability to lose body fat. It also | | | | CoQ10 is not a guarantee of weight loss, |
| maximizes the body's ability to convert food to | | | | deficiency of the coenzyme could definitely have |
| fuel, which helps normalize fats and sugars in the | | | | an adverse impact on weight loss efforts. |
| blood. | | | | |