CoQ10 & Omega-3 for a Healthy Heart

By Melanie Beasley, RD, LD
February 1, 2021

heart_omega3.jpgWith February known as Heart Month we’re sharing our top two supplements recommended to keep your heart happy and healthy. One supplement is more preventative, fit for anyone and everyone, while the other is targeted to help those who are struggling with cholesterol.

Omega-3

Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that is critical for heart health and for reducing inflammation overall. Omega-3 is called “essential” because we can’t make it within our bodies, therefore we must consume it from food or supplements. Unfortunately, many people do not eat enough omega-3 fish (such as salmon, mackerel and sardines) to maintain a healthy level of omega-3. Recent research discovered that in spite of nutritional education about the many benefits of omega-3, 98% of the people in the study were found to be deficient in this essential fatty acid. Said another way, only 2% of those studied had adequate levels!

Supplementing with omega-3 can also help increase HDL cholesterol, your “good cholesterol.” Along with increasing your HDL, it can help to lower your triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. The number one cause of heart disease is inflammation, and because omega-3 fats are anti-inflammatory they can help reduce your risk of heart disease, in addition to helping with atherosclerosis, lower blood pressure and normalizing heart rhythms.

Omega-3 Dosage Recommendations

We find that most people need about 3,000 mg of omega-3 daily (one capsule with each meal is a good start). Some individuals dealing with aggressive diseases or health conditions (heart disease, asthma, arthritis, diabetes, Crohn’s or Alzheimer’s for instance) may benefit from supplementing with more, which is where Omega-3 Extra Strength comes in. Whereas our NutriKey Omega-3 1000 contains 300 milligrams (mg) of EPA and 200 mg of DHA, the Omega-3 Extra Strength contains 860 mg of EPA and 580 mg of DHA per soft gel. Omega-3 Extra Strength has all the essential fatty acids shown to support multiple body systems but with less capsules for the same benefits, our nutritionists typically recommend one to two per day. 

An added benefit, Omega-3 Extra Strength is lemon flavored – some report fishy burps after omega-3, but the lemon in extra strength takes care of that unpleasant moment.

CoQ10

Our other healthy heart supplement is CoQ10, which ignites the mitochondria in our cells, which are like little furnaces. These furnaces produce energy in the form of ATP, which is important since 95% of the body’s energy is made that way. Think of CoQ10 as the spark plug in your body; without it, you’re not going anywhere; and as we age our bodies naturally produce less and less.

Often, our clients take CoQ10 to counteract the side effects of cholesterol-lowering medications, such as aching muscles, general fatigue and memory issues. Certain statin medications stop the liver's production of CoQ10, leading to those unwanted side effects; in fact, when a statin is prescribed in Europe, they also prescribe CoQ10.

CoQ10 is an antioxidant that supports energy, metabolism, immune function, cardiovascular and gum health, in addition to helping protect your cells from free radical damage caused by smoking, alcohol, pesticides, and processed food. Those with diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis or other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and ALS, may benefit from taking a supplement since they tend to have low levels of CoQ10 to start.

CoQ10 Dosage Recommendations

Our nutritionists suggest supplementing with 100 or 200 mg daily. If you’re on a statin drug, take at least 200 mg in the morning or early afternoon (later in the day may disrupt your sleep). You’ll start to notice CoQ10 working if you feel more energetic with less muscle pain. 

Celebrate your heart this Heart Month by stocking up on the supplement to best fit your health goals.

Additional Resources:


Articles:
Diets for Cholesterol Management
Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, and Heart Health
High Blood Pressure and Heart Health

P
odcast Episodes:
Heart Health Tune-Up
Lose Weight For Better Cholesterol Numbers

 

References

  1. Simopoulos, A. National Institutes of Health, US National Library of Medicine. (2002). Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases (PMID: 12480795). Retrieved from The Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health website: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12480795
  2. Yeung PK, Tillman PT (2014) Coenzyme Q10 for Cardiovascular Prevention. Cardiol Pharmacol 3:e125. https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/coenzyme-q-for-cardiovascular-prevention-2329-6607.1000e125.php?aid=25089

 

About the author

Melanie is a licensed dietitian at Nutritional Weight & Wellness. In 2005, two weeks after having invasive back surgery, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Then just eight months later she was diagnosed with multiple food allergies that included dairy, gluten, wheat, chocolate and Brazil nuts. After changing her diet to remove her allergy triggers and more, Melanie was able to stop taking three prescription medications and feel better than she had in years. As a nutritionist, she finds true joy from sharing that knowledge with others. Melanie has a Bachelors in Science of Food and Nutrition from the dietetics program at the University of Missouri Columbia.

View all posts by Melanie Beasley, RD, LD

Comments

Sandra Smith
I would like to Thank you for your advice in reference to the Fish Oil and the CoQ10 I use to take the Fish Oil before the CoQ10 now I will continue to take both.Thank You
May 2, 2021 at 6:02 pm

admin

Hi Sandra, thanks for reaching out! We're alwasy glad to be of help!

Rashmi Gupta
Thank you for sharing an informative article. It will help me.

March 16, 2022 at 6:47 am

admin

So glad to hear this is helpful!

Jackie ross
I take CO q10 200 mg a day. I have rheumatoid arthritis. Should I take krill oil too? Or are they the same. I tak 40 mg statin
June 4, 2022 at 9:01 am

admin

Some omega-3s would be a great idea. Omega-3s are not the same as CoQ10. I would not recommend krill oil. I’d recommend a quality fish oil like our NutriKey Omega-3 1000.

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