Time to Supplement with CoQ10? A Rundown on Prescription Drugs for Weight Loss

Time to

SUPPLEMENT WITH CoQ10?by Valerie Demetros

Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a nutrient naturally produced by the body and connected to energy production. A powerful antioxidant, it protects your brain, heart and muscles.

CoQ10 has antiinflammatory properties, and as we age we produce less. Certain health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and such neurodegenerative diseases as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, also can lead to lower levels of CoQ10.

Sometimes, it may be necessary to supplement. The essential nutrient can be found in pill form, or in oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines, or eggs, nuts, chicken, organ meats and whole grains.

Some research suggests that supplementing with CoQ10 may help with several age-related conditions. A few of these benefits include: HEART HEALTH

A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that participants who took CoQ10 had improved heart health when compared to those who took a placebo.

In a continuing study, people living with moderate to severe heart failure who took daily CoQ10 supplements had a 42% reduced risk of their first major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE). Participants also had a 43% decreased risk for heart-related deaths.

Be aware that the supplement can make some blood-thinning medications less effective, so discuss this with your doctor.

MIGRAINE RELIEF

For those looking to decrease the frequency, severity and duration of migraines, some studies have shown the antiinflammatory properties of CoQ10 supplements can give relief.

A separate study paired CoQ10 with magnesium and riboflavin and showed results in reducing migraine pain and impact. Of course, you’ll want to check in with your doctor.

FERTILITY HELP

Female fertility decreases with age because of a decline in the number and quality of available eggs. As you age, CoQ10 production slows, which makes the body less effective at protecting the eggs from oxidative damage. Studies show that supplementing with CoQ10 helps and may reverse the age-related decline in egg quality and quantity.

As far as male fertility, sperm also are susceptible to the effects of oxidative damage, which may result in reduced sperm count, poor sperm quality and infertility. Various studies have established that supplementing with CoQ10 can improve sperm quality, activity and concentration by increasing antioxidant protection.

YOUNGER LOOKING SKIN

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and harmful elements can lead to reduced skin moisture and protection from environmental antagonists, as well as thinning of the skin.

Applying CoQ10 directly to the skin can reduce the damage from internal and external agents by increasing energy production in skin cells and promoting antioxidant protection. CoQ10 applied directly to the skin has been shown to reduce oxidative damage caused by UV rays and even diminish the depth of wrinkles.

One study found that people with low levels of CoQ10 seem to be more likely to develop skin cancer.

A RUNDOWN ON Prescription Drugs for Weight Loss

by Chrissie Seals, WHNP, Salud Spa

The key to successful weight loss is determination. We all know the healthy behaviors we should be doing: exercise, healthy eating, drinking enough water. Prescription medication may be a tool that helps an individual stick to the plan.

What medications are available?

The most popular and widely used medication for weight loss is phentermine. It is a controlled substance, labelled by the FDA as an appetite suppressant and recommended for short-term use in patients who qualify medically.

Phentermine may raise blood pressure and heart rate or interact with other prescribed medications, alcohol or over-thecounter medications.

Combined with other healthy behaviors, patients often lose 10 pounds in the first month. In recent years, Qsymia was developed, which is phentermine and topiramate, a neurostabilizer, combined and touted as the most effective of prescription weight-loss medications.

The combination has been studied with successful weight loss up to 18 months and may be a better option for some patients. Topiramate has many side effects, and its use should be carefully discussed with a medical provider.

Contrave is a weight loss medication that was initially approved in 2014 in the United States. It is comprised of bupropion, an antidepressant, and naltrexone, a medication used to treat addiction. Contrave suppresses the natural good feeling an individual feels after eating certain foods or overeating.

Success in clinical trials was a 4% weight loss in about four months. As with all prescriptions, there may be side effects, and this medication may not be recommended for all patients.

Saxenda is an injectable medication that helps patient lose on average 10% of their body weight over six months. This prescription injectable works by creating a feeling of fullness and decreases appetite.

The effect of Saxenda is not immediate, it takes about two weeks to begin to work. There are risks and side effects that must be discussed with your medical provider prior to considering this medication.

Prescription medication for weight loss may be beneficial to a successful weight-loss program. Medication may give patients the additional boost that coupled with lifestyle changes allows for a successful transition to a healthier weight.