Help spark weight loss with the essential antioxidant, co-Q10

If you’re already following a healthy diet and exercise programme but can’t shed those annoying extra pounds it may be time to up your game – but how? We can’t all have a personal trainer on call but there is a naturally occurring antioxidant we can source in supplement form which could boost your workoutresults and raise your energy levels.

Coenzyme Q10 – or co-Q10 as it is commonly referred to – is found in every cell in the body. Your body uses it to produce the energy we need for cell growth and repair. As an antioxidant it also helps combat those dreaded free radicals which can cause damage to cells.

However, levels of co-Q10 in our bodies decrease as we get older and stress can also reduce our supply, which is where support in a supplement could be beneficial.

How does co-Q10 work?

Co-Q10 supplies 93% of the body’s energy by unlocking the nutrients in food and helping convert them to energy. In fact, it is often referred to as the body’s energy spark plug due to its function of releasing energy from food. This means even if you’re eating a nutrient-rich diet but you’re still feeling tired and run down, you could be low in co-Q10.

It also boosts our metabolism and helps regulate sugar and fat in the blood which is how co-Q10 plays a role in weight loss. As our metabolism increases, our body naturally burns more calories. At the same time co-Q10 provides our body with a vital boost, which helps us feel more energized – and motivated – to exercise more and work harder while doing it!

It can also help with recovery times after exercise so rather than spending a few days on the couch after a good workout; you’ll be rearing to go the very next day.

Co-Q10 could also help control how quickly fat is burnt. Research suggests combining co-Q10 with regular aerobic exercise significantly increases the release of fat compared to exercise alone. Other studies have indicated taking co-Q10 could slow the aging process.

Where can we get co-Q10?

Although our body produces its own supply of co-Q10 we can source it from our diet. Co-Q10 occurs naturally in the highest quantities in meat and fish, in particular beef, pork, chicken heart and chicken liver.

Some vegetable oils also have good levels, soybean oil in particular. However, cooking by frying can reduce co-Q10 content by up to 30%.

Fruit, vegetables and dairy products have significantly lower levels of co-Q10 but the best of the bunch are avocado, broccoli, grapes and cauliflower.