Low levels of CoQ10 results in brain fog, slow mental processing, and cognitive decline.

CoQ10 deficiency is not that common because your body makes it.

If there’s a deficiency, it’s mostly likely due to stress, aging, drugs and/or genetic mutation.

Your body naturally makes less CoQ10 as you age. And some people with certain medical conditions may need more than what the body can produce.

Stress in all forms, physical, mental and emotional stress, illness increase body’s use of CoQ10.

Low blood CoQ10 levels have been have also been reported in people with heart diseases, gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), morbid obesity, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, AIDS, cancer and in some people on kidney dialysis.

It is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance that’s found mostly in the mitochondria, the body’s power station. It is part of the electron transport chain and participates in the aerobic cellular respiration to make energy in the form of ATP.

The mitochondria is like the engine in the car. If it stops working, the car is dead.  CoQ10 is needed to convert carbohydrates and fats into energy in the inner mitochondrial membrane. 

You’ll find mitochondria in every single cell of the body because it is that important. And the organs that used the most energy, such as the brain, heart, liver and kidneys, have the highest numbers of mitochondria AND concentration of CoQ10.

The mitochondria powers all the biochemical reactions in every cells of your body. And the mitochondria cannot do its job properly without CoQ10.

I talk to my teens every day about how important that they eat healthy food to feed their brain cells. We can eat all the amazing, nutritious foods, but if our bodies can’t turn these nutrients into energy, then we’re still doomed.

CoQ10 support energy production in the mitochondria, which helps protect against brain degeneration. By supporting brain energy production, CoQ10 helps with neurotransmitters signaling and, thus, better memory, learning, and cognition.

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell. They break down down nutrients from food and creates energy for the cell.

CoQ10 also protects against DNA, in particular, mitochondrial DNA, damage from oxidative stress, which is common in most children with ADHD and Autism, and adults with Alzheimer’s disease. This shows that CoQ10 can protect degeneration of the brain cells due to aging.

Unlike other antioxidants, CoQ10 protects the body against the resultant oxidative stress from both the lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation. It also regenerates other antioxidants such as vitamin E.

 It has been estimated that dietary consumption contributes to about 25% of plasma coenzyme Q10, but there are currently no specific dietary intake recommendations for coenzyme Q10 from the US National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) or other agencies. The extent to which dietary consumption contributes to tissue coenzyme Q10 concentrations is not clear. 

Rich sources of dietary coenzyme Q10 include mainly organ meats, meat, poultry, and fish. Remember to always get organic and grass-fed animal protein to minimize exposure to  toxic pesticides, growth hormones and unnecessary antibiotics.

Other good sources include soybean, corn, olive, and canola oils; nuts; and seeds. Fruit, vegetables, eggs, and dairy products are moderate sources of coenzyme Q10.

Studies show that taking CoQ10 supplement orally can increase mitochondrial concentrations in brain cells.

Since CoQ10 is fat soluble, it’s better absorbed when taken in an oil-based soft gel form rather than in a dry form, like powder tablets or  capsules.

Dividing the total daily dosage up into two or more separate doses may also help with absorption.

There are mainly two forms of CoQ10 – ubiquinol, the active antioxidant form, and ubiquinone, the oxidized form. Our body can covert ubiquinone into ubiquinol (active form).

Ok, there you have it…

I hope you find this information helpful. Let me know what you think and comment below. 

Remember ADHD does not doom your child to a life of under-achievement. You know your child is bright, full of potential, and deserves the best. In fact, many of the world’s greatest discoveries and inventions were made by people with ADHD.

If you’re just starting out on this natural ADHD treatment journey and still in the research phase, check out my new book Eat to Focus. Inside this book, you’ll learn why your ADHD child is always hungry, why he or she seems addicted to milk and bread, the underlying causes of ADHD, and the most effective ADHD treatment that addresses all the causes to reduce hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and anxiety while improving focus and calmness in your ADHD child. 

Don’t forget to download your free gift 15 Quick & Simple ADHD-Friendly Breakfast Ideas before you leave.