When it comes to reducing the amount of stress in your life, you’re often presented with the same old options. Go for a walk, take a bath, get in some exercise, and try not to worry so much. However, what if you can lower the amount of stress by taking a pill? Well, it appears that you can and it’s called co-enzyme Q10.
What is Co-Enzyme Q10?
According to WebMD, “Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like substance found throughout the body, but especially in the heart, liver, kidney, and pancreas.” In other words, it is created naturally inside of you and can be found in every cell, but it is in larger concentrates in those four internal organs.
How Does it Help with Stress?
CoQ10 helps with energy generation, which is huge when you’re under a tremendous amount of stress and feel as if you can’t do one more thing. It also acts as an anti-oxidant that protects your body from toxins (called free radicals) that threaten to damage it. Toxins that often appear at greater levels when your body is inflamed due to stress.
In addition, several studies, such as one published in BioFactors, have found that CoQ10 protects your cells from dying due to too many oxidative stressors (which can lead to conditions such as cardiovascular disease).
How Can You Get More of it?
You can get CoQ10 by making sure certain foods are a regular part of your diet. For instance, it can be found in various meats and seafood, as well as in a few different oils (namely: soybean, sesame, and canola).
If you do decide to take a supplement, it is recommended that you talk to your doctor first. The dosages vary according to your health status so you want to make sure you get enough to do you good, but not so much that it is harmful, and your physician will be able to help you identify what those amounts are.
