Have your competent? doctor verify if you should be doing this.
Any competent? doctor will have EXACT PROTOCOLS; ANYTHING LESS IS FUCKING INCOMPETENCE!
I think I started taking this after this research: Lower Levels of Coenzyme Q10 in Blood Associated With Multiple System Atrophy June 2016
- CoQ10
(17 posts to May 2013)
This Supplement Is a Waste of Money for Heart Health, Cardiologists Say
Four cardiologists agree that CoQ10 is generally a waste of money for heart health, even though it’s promoted as a miracle cure for cardiovascular disease, statin-related muscle pains and even aging (which, um, doesn’t need to be cured).
“Despite the glowing marketing claims, the official stance from major medical organizations tells a different story,” Dr. Patrick Kee, MD, Ph.D, a cardiologist at Vital Heart & Vein, tells Parade. “The American Heart Association (AHA) explicitly states that CoQ10 remains ‘of uncertain value’ in heart failure management, and it does not replace standard, guideline-directed medical therapy.”
If your algorithm hasn’t pushed TikTok videos promoting this supplement as a blanket fix for “all the things,” you may wonder: “Hey, what is CoQ10 anyway?”
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a naturally occurring antioxidant. Every cell in your body has it, says Dr. Ryan Kaple, MD, an interventional cardiologist and the director of the Structural & Congenital Heart Program at Hackensack University Medical Center.
“It plays a crucial role in creating energy within your cells and protecting them from damage,” he says. “Think of it as a tiny spark plug for your cells’ engines. Your body produces CoQ10, but its levels can decrease with age or in people with certain conditions, like heart disease.”
But that doesn’t mean CoQ10 supplements are a great way to reduce the risk of heart disease (or slow it). Unfortunately, though, that’s why people often one-click buy them.
“Manufacturers heavily promote it with a ‘health halo,'” Dr. Kee points out. “It is widely sold under the premise that taking extra pills will naturally boost your heart’s pumping energy, slow down aging or magically shield your cardiovascular system.”
Yet, cardiologists say the hype isn’t usually right here.
The Truth About CoQ10 and Heart Health
Dr. Kaple warns that CoQ10 can interfere with blood thinners, including warfarin, and could lower blood sugar, a potential concern for people taking diabetes medications (Remember: people with diabetes are more likely to live with heart disease, too). Lack of oversight is also a problem.
“You can’t always be sure of the quality or dosage of the supplement you’re taking,” Dr. Kaple warns.
However, Dr. Tadwalkar is generally less concerned with toxicity than with the opportunity cost. “Many patients spend time and money chasing a supplement that doesn’t move the needle, potentially delaying the lifestyle changes or evidence-based treatments that actually save lives,” he explains.
For instance, there’s some anecdotal evidence that CoQ10 helps some people on statins with muscle aches. “But clinical trials have been largely neutral,” Dr. Tadwalkar clarifies. “It’s not a dangerous interaction, but it’s rarely the fix people hope it is.”
Another cardiologist agrees. “There are some studies that have demonstrated some mild cardiac benefits,” states Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy, MD, the chair of internal medicine at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU. “These, however, are significantly outweighed by the time you invest in optimizing your nutrition, daily exercise, restful sleep and socialization.”
Related: ‘I’m a Cardiologist—Here’s How To Know When You Should Go on Blood Pressure Medication’
When CoQ10 May Be Helpful
Dr. Kaple doesn’t recommend CoQ10 for most of his patients but says the supplement might have a place in some holistic treatment plans. Dr. Kaple shares that times when CoQ10 might be considered include:
- True CoQ10 deficiency (very rare)
- Heart failure, along with standard medical treatments (“This is not a replacement for proven therapies,” Dr. Kaple emphasizes.)
- Migraines
Importantly, Dr. Kaple stresses these plans should always stem from “consultation with a doctor.”
Related: Cardiologists Are Begging People To Stop Pairing This Common Supplement With Blood Thinners
3 Ways To Improve Your Heart Health That Aren’t CoQ10 Supplements
There’s no one-size-fits-all prescription for better heart health. Instead, cardiologists recommend starting with lifestyle changes. Below, they detail three effective ways to improve your heart health with more backing than CoQ10.
1. Adopt a heart-healthy diet
Dr. Kaple recommends following a diet plan that prioritizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and
Want to get some CoQ10 the “food-first” way?
“The most heart-healthy source is oily fish like salmon, char, trout or mackerel,” shares Dr. Sathyamoorthy. “For vegetarians and vegans, [try] walnuts, tofu, cauliflower and soybeans.”
2. Log exercise
Dr. Kaple suggests aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, like brisk walking, swimming or cycling, each week. Moderate-intensity simply means your heart rate goes up, but you can still carry on a conversation.
“Exercise strengthens your heart muscle, improves circulation, helps control your weight, and can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol,” Dr. Kaple says.
Speaking of strength, don’t forget to add at least two resistance-training exercises to your regimen each week.
“There is a massive misconception that heart health equals hours on the treadmill, but lifting weights improves insulin sensitivity and lowers blood pressure,” Dr. Tadwalkar adds.
3. Prioritize sleep
Your heart, mind and whole body will thank you. “Deep, restorative sleep gives your heart a necessary rest period, lowers your baseline heart rate and regulates stress hormones that can otherwise trigger inflammation and hypertension over time,” Dr. Kee reports.
No comments:
Post a Comment