What is Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)?
CoQ10 is a vitamin–like compound that is produced in nearly every cell of the body. It plays an important role in using oxygen to release energy. Because it also functions as an antioxidant, CoQ10 is popular as a dietary supplement. Some evidence suggests that CoQ10 supplementation supports cardiovascular health as well.
A Performance Enhancer?
Athletes are also interested in CoQ10, because they are always looking for ways to increase their ability to consume oxygen. A new study published in the journal Nutrition provides solid evidence that these athletes are on to something. Japanese researchers investigated the effects of eight days of CoQ10 supplementation at two levels on exercise performance and perception of fatigue in 17 volunteers. All of the subjects rode stationary bikes to exhaustion at a fixed intensity on three occasions. One trial was preceded by eight days of CoQ10 supplementation at 100 mg/day. A second trial was preceded by eight days of CoQ10 supplementation at a level of 300 mg/day. And a third trial was preceded by an eight-day placebo treatment.
Feel Better, Last Longer
Time to exhaustion was found to be significantly greater in the 300 mg trial than in both the 100 mg and placebo trials. There was no significant difference in performance between the 100 mg and placebo trials. Perceptions of fatigue were also reduced by 300 mg of CoQ10 supplementation. The authors of the study speculated that, at adequate doses, CoQ10 might delay exercise fatigue through its role in aerobic energy metabolism and its function as an antioxidant.
If you want to feel better in your workouts and get more out of them–not to mention enjoy free radical–fighting and general cardiovascular benefits–then make EnergyFirst CoQ10 a part of your daily supplement regimen.