March Product of the Month

By Tory Wegner, LAc, DiplOM

​COQ10 is found in the mitochondria of every cell in the body and plays a role in energy production needed for cellular growth and maintanence.   It also functions as an antioxidant, which means it protects the body from damage caused by harmful molecules.  COQ10 is being studied for multiple conditions including heart disease, but of particular interest at TAC is it’s role for men and women with fertility issues.

There is promising research in regards to fertility for women over 40 or with diminished ovarian reserve that supplementing with COQ10 can improve egg quality and quantity.  And for men, research is showing that supplementing with COQ10 can improve sperm concentration, motility, and morphology.  

As we age, mitochondria become damaged and are less efficient at producing energy, this plays a role in the aging process and can effect egg development, especially in women over 40 or with diminished ovarian reserve.  If mitochondria aren’t producing enough energy, then cellular division isn’t happening properly and the chances of chromosomal abnormalities and miscarriage is higher.  

​One pioneer in the research of COQ10 is Dr. Bentov from Mt. Sinai hospital and his research is finding that supplementing with COQ10 is increasing the energy production and in turn an increase in the number of eggs ovulated.  He thinks that “it’s not the egg that’s different in older women, it’s the ability of the egg to produce the kind of energy needed to complete all the processes that are involved with maturing and being fertilized.”  For this reason he recommends women trying to conceive supplement with COQ10.  It’s important to remember that it can take several weeks for COQ10 to build up in the system and it takes 3 months for an egg to mature, so supplementing early (3-6 months) before undergoing fertility treatment like IVF or IUI is key. 

An important note about COQ10 is the form in which it's being taken. There are 2 forms being sold in supplements, ubiquinone and ubiquinol.  Ubiquinone is a precursor to ubiquinol and is a less absorbable form for the body.  Ubuiquinol is the active form in your body and they type that is easily absorbed and used.  Unfortunately, because of manufacturing processes ubuiquinol is more expensive to make, but you can take less of it and get a better physiological response.  This is why it’s very important to read the labels of your COQ10 supplement to ensure that you’re taking the best form, ubiquinol…if the label doesn’t say, you can assume it’s ubiquinone.

With that being said, once again we’ve done the leg-work for you and have researched many brands of COQ10 and recommend Ubuquinol QH Absorb by Jarrow.  We are pleased to be able to offer you this high quality and effective product.

For the month of March Ubuquinol QH Absorb CoQ10 is 10 % off 

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