Coenzyme Q10 - Worth a Try

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential compound found naturally in virtually every cell of the human body. Our cells use it to turn sugars from food into energy they can use.

But can getting more CoQ10 help those of us with elevated blood pressure? The jury is still out on this one. A 2003 review of eight trials suggested that CoQ10 could lower systolic blood pressure by as much a 16 mmHg. A 2016 review, however, that included many of those same papers concluded that “coenzyme Q10 does not have a clinically significant effect on blood pressure.”

It may well be that some of us will get benefits from supplementing with CoQ10 and some won't. If you'd like to give it a try, supplements are readily available in pharmacy/drug-stores and health-food stores.

No serious side-effects of supplementing with CoQ10 have been reported, but you may experience minor side-effects. These might include insomnia, rashes, nausea, upper abdominal pain, dizziness, sensitivity to light, irritability, headaches, heartburn, and fatigue.

If you're using the the tellbeth app, be sure to measure your blood pressure regularly and to tell Beth how you feel when you're taking CoQ10. This will help you work out whether it's worth continuing.