In keeping with Heart Health Month, I’d like to discuss the role CoQ10 plays in maintaining heart health. CoQ10 is found in every cell and is essential for the production of energy that keeps people alive. Levels of CoQ10 start to decline around age 35, contributing to the development of heart disease and other debilitating conditions.  At a minimum, low CoQ10 levels make it difficult for the body to produce enough energy for the heart, other organs, and muscles to function well.

Supplements are the practical way to replenish levels of this nutrient, because organ meats are the only significant food source, but very few people eat organ meats. Numerous studies have found that CoQ10 significantly improves the health of people suffering from heart disease and aids in recovery from a heart attack. Other research has shown that CoQ10 can help reduce blood pressure, improve blood sugar control among diabetes, aid in breast cancer treatment, help to heal gum disease and improve capacity to exercise.

So how much should you take? After age 35, I recommend taking 50 milligrams, however, if you’re overweight or have high blood pressure, fatigue, diabetes, or any form of heart disease or other illness, take 100 to 200 milligrams.

Vitamins and minerals ensure that thousands of reactions take place in the body to maintain a healthy metabolism, balanced hormones, and good health. A deficiency with just one vitamin can create a chain reaction that slows your metabolism and brings your health down along with it. Nutrients in our food can be depleted by any number of factors, so it’s important to make up for this depletion with supplements such as a quality multivitamin.

To support hormonal balance, weight loss, and good health, there are some key ingredients to look for when choosing a multivitamin.

• Vitamin A, which supports thyroid function, enhances your metabolism and allows for weight loss.
• B vitamins, which have many weight-loss qualities including helping metabolism, keeping adrenal glands healthy, converting carbohydrates into energy and breaking down fats and protein.
• Vitamin C, an antioxidant that is important during times of stress and vital for virtually all aspects of wellness, including healthy metabolism. Low levels of Vitamin C correlate with excess weight and might promote cravings for sweet or salty snacks, or beverages that are sugary or contain stimulants, such as caffeine.

Multivitamins don’t contain adequate Vitamin D, and it is estimated that only four percent of Americans consume enough Vitamin D, so taking Vitamin D in supplement form is important. Vitamin D plays a major role in overall health, but in weight loss terms, it helps the pancreas release insulin and endocrinologists have discovered that weight-loss success is more likely for those taking Vitamin D.

Other vitamins and minerals for weight loss include:

• Chromium, an essential nutrient involved in the regulation of carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Chromium has been recognized for its beneficial effect on reducing blood sugar levels, burning calories, decreasing sugar cravings, reducing fat and decreasing cortisol.
• Selenium, acts as an antioxidant and is required for proper thyroid function.
• Zinc, another trace mineral, is good for your metabolism, helps insulin do its job and necessary for healthy thyroid function.
• Calcium, is required for breaking up fats and energy production. Too much though can reduce thyroid function and make it more difficult to lose weight.
• L-Carnitine, is helpful for weight loss by converting stored fat into energy.