Coenzyme Q10, also called ubiquinol or CoQ10, is a popular supplement that many people take for heart and brain health and even reducing the risk of cancer. It’s also a go-to antioxidant for fighting free radicals that cause damage to our cells. All of those wellness benefits are fantastic, but it doesn’t end there. The coenzyme Q10 benefits for hair growth, skin, and more are just beginning to be discovered.
What is Coenzyme Q10?
CoQ10 is found naturally in all cells of the human body. It is used for cellular metabolism… in other words, it gives our cells energy. When your CoQ10 levels are low, your energy levels will be low, too.
Unfortunately, CoQ10 production decreases as we age, leading to many symptoms we naturally associate with getting older, including mental and physical fatigue, muscle pains and cramps, weight gain, neurological disorders, and a weakened immune system. Low levels can also increase your risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
In addition to getting older, certain medications can lower your CoQ10 levels as well. These include heart medications and certain antidiabetic drugs. If you take statins, you are especially likely to experience the symptoms of low CoQ10 levels.
The Coenzyme Q10 Benefits for Hair Growth
The coenzyme Q10 benefits for hair growth are something we can all get behind. Even though you can’t see it with the naked eye, your hair is growing every day. CoQ10 is crucial for energy metabolism and our hair follicles are actually quite complex. Their growth is very energy-intensive, so keeping cellular energy levels up is crucial for hair growth at any age, but especially as we age.
As we age, the energy levels in our cells decrease naturally. The first signs we see of this usually show up in the face. Our hair is also affected, but the impacts aren’t always noticeable right away, mainly because our hair growth cycle is anywhere from two years to 10 years long.
Over time, hair thins out and becomes fragile, and it can be hard to maintain youthful, shiny hair as you age. Many women simply resort to a short haircut to make things easier. However, if you would like to keep your long hair as you get older, CoQ10 may be a viable solution.
In 2009, a study was done on the effects of using a shampoo containing CoQ10 on a group of people over 40. The study showed that hair follicles became more active and hair growth was increased simply by using the coenzyme Q10 shampoo.
The coenzyme Q10 benefits for hair growth have been proven by science. Not only does CoQ10 benefit hair growth when applied topically in shampoos and conditioners, but it may also help if you take it as a supplement or increase your intake through your diet as well.
The Benefits of CoQ10 for Skin
The coenzyme Q10 benefits for hair are fantastic, but it also offers some amazing anti-aging benefits for skin, too. Our skin is the body’s largest organ and it’s exposed to free radicals that cause the signs of premature aging. Not only are these free radicals found in the environment, but they’re also found inside of the body. They can cause internal issues like hormonal imbalances and cellular damage, as well as external issues like fine lines, dark spots, and sagging.
Using CoQ10 topically on the skin reduces the effects of free radicals both internally and externally by increasing the energy production of your skin’s cells and providing antioxidant protection. Including CoQ10 in your daily skincare routine can reduce the signs of premature aging caused by sun exposure and even reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, especially when used in conjunction with skin tightening herbs. Raising your CoQ10 levels internally may also reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.
More Benefits of CoQ10
If the coenzyme Q10 benefits for hair and skin aren’t enough to convince you, consider how much it can improve your overall health as well. We’ve already mentioned that it’s beneficial for the heart and brain and may even prevent some types of cancer, but that’s not all! Increasing your coenzyme Q10 levels may provide other wellness benefits, too.
These include:
- Reduced headaches: As you age, the number of free radicals in your body increases while antioxidant levels decrease. This can reduce the amount of energy in your brain’s cells and may lead to headaches and migraines. CoQ10 can improve cellular function and decrease inflammation, which could reduce the occurrence and severity of chronic headaches and migraines.
- Improved Exercise Performance: Since CoQ10 provides energy to our cells, it makes sense that increasing your levels could improve your exercise performance by reducing fatigue. Since it functions as an antioxidant, it can also reduce oxidative damage and shorten recovery times after strenuous exercise, too.
- Combats the Symptoms of Diabetes: CoQ10 combats the symptoms of diabetes by reducing oxidative stress that leads to cellular damage. Increasing your levels could also help to regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
- Protects the Lungs: CoQ10 protects the lungs by reducing oxidative damage and inflammation that can lead to issues such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It has even been shown to reduce the need for steroid medications to reduce inflammation in people suffering from asthma.
How to Increase Your CoQ10 Levels
You can increase your intake of coenzyme Q10 by including the following foods in your diet regularly:
- Grass-fed beef
- Free-range eggs
- Broccoli
- Oranges
- Strawberries
- Cauliflower
- Fatty fish
- Free-range chicken
- Legumes, nuts, and seeds
- Organ meats
- Oils, such as olive and canola oil
Unfortunately, CoQ10 only occurs in most foods in small amounts, so it may be difficult to get enough of it through diet alone, especially if you’re over 40. If you want to raise your coenzyme Q10 levels enough to stimulate hair growth, your best bet is to include CoQ10 in your daily supplement regimen.
Wrap-Up
The benefits of coenzyme Q10 for hair growth, skin, and more have been proven by science, so it’s definitely a supplement worth trying. Its properties can not only protect your cells from damage and aging, but it can also give you more energy and protect and treat many chronic diseases, too. Since CoQ10 levels decrease naturally as you age, many adults over 40 could benefit from raising their levels of this important antioxidant.