Your Must Have Energy Nutrient
Your Must Have Energy Nutrient
Do you wake each morning feeling unrefreshed?
Are you a victim of 3pm-itis?
Do you wish you had more energy to get to the gym?
With modern life full of personal stressors, work demands, social commitments, relationships to nurture, healthy food to prepare and exercise to complete, you wouldn’t be alone if you’re feeling a little too tired to ‘fit it all in’. To help you get everything done without feeling flat or fatigued, it’s vitally important that your body’s energy needs are supported.
Your energy powerhouses
Let’s first start with how your body makes energy. Inside each of your cells are microscopic powerhouses called mitochondria (pictured below). As discussed in this blog, it is these mitochondria that supply your body with the fuel to power you through your day.
However, in modern day life, there are numerous facets that can cause cell damage and inflammation, such as psychological stress, insomnia, nutrient deficiencies and toxin exposure. When this occurs, your mitochondria can become comprised, decreasing your energy output,[1] and leaving you feeling tired and fatigued. Yes, living in this modern world can actually reduce your body’s energy production!
Your must have energy nutrient
So, whilst this potential for your mitochondria to produce less energy is real, there is some good news.
One nutrient is highly specific for protecting and repairing your mitochondria, to ensure you are making optimal energy. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant that protects your mitochondria against damage, and also directly assists your mitochondria in making energy. As an example of its impact, 100mg of CoQ10 was given to people with chronic fatigue for 12 weeks, and was found to reduce, or completely resolve, the symptoms of fatigue in 90% of patients.[2]
You aren’t what you eat, but what you absorb
While CoQ10 exerts a powerful effect within the body, it’s important to note CoQ10 supplements are generally poorly absorbed in your digestive system. This is because it is a fat-soluble nutrient, which means it requires the assistance of fats to absorb and transport it through your gut lining and into your body. However, our digestive system is a water soluble medium, and fats and water don’t mix! So, in order to reap all the benefits from CoQ10, ensure you chose a product which can facilitate optimal absorption.
One way to achieve this is by choosing a CoQ10 supplement that utilises VESIsorb®, a delivery system allowing CoQ10 to be rapidly transported through the gut lining.[3] This is accomplished by VESIsorb® packaging up the CoQ10 into tiny, easily absorbed particles, which emulsifies it, allowing it to mix with the water in your digestive system. Together, these two facets optimise its uptake, ensuring it reaches your mitochondria to make energy for you.
Not all CoQ10 is created equal
Another important aspect to understand about CoQ10 is that it comes in two main forms -ubidecarenone which is the inactive form, and ubiquinol, the active form. While the body needs to convert the inactive ubidecarenone into active ubiquinol in order to use it, ubiquinol is generally more unstable. However, as the body converts between these inactive and active forms to make energy on demand,[4],[5] inactive ubicarenone is the optimal choice for CoQ10 supplementation.
A potent approach to fighting fatigue
If living in this modern and often times busy world has left you feeling fatigued, consider providing your mitochondria, the energy powerhouse of your cells, with some extra support. CoQ10 is your go-to nutrient to assist your mitochondria in producing enough energy, however, ensure its absorption is addressed, through the use of technology such as VESIsorb®.
[1] Filler K, Lyon D, Bennett J, McCain N, Elswick R, Lukkahatai N et al. Association of Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Fatigue: A Review of the Literature. BBA clinical. 2014;1: 12-23. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbacli.2014.04.001
[2] Werbach MR. Nutritional strategies for treating chronic fatigue syndrome. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Apr;5(2):93-108. PMID: 10767667.
[3] Brandt U, Trumpower B. The protonmotive Q cycle in mitochondria and bacteria. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol. 1994;29(3):165-97. doi: 10.3109/10409239409086800.
[4] Hosoe K, Kitano M, Kishida H, Kubo H, Fujii K, Kitahara M. Study on safety and bioavailability of ubiquinol (Kaneka QH) after single and 4-week multiple oral administration to healthy volunteers. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2007 Feb;47(1):19-28. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2006.07.001.
[5] Kaikkonen J, Tuomainen TP, Nyyssonen K, Salonen JT. Coenzyme Q10: absorption, antioxidative properties, determinants, and plasma levels. Free Radic Res. 2002 Apr;36(4):389-97. doi: 10.1080/10715760290021234.
- Kevin Tresize
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