If you eat sources of saturated fat, like beef, switching to foods with omega-3 fatty acids, like fatty fish, can help lower your heart disease risk. CoQ10 may offer benefits if you already struggle with cardiovascular disease risk or you've had a heart attack.
Because your body's natural production of CoQ10 tends to decrease as you age, combining CoQ10 with pure fish oil helps your body absorb and use CoQ10 better!
Taking omega-3 or CoQ10 isn't really an "either/or" choice. Both are beneficial and can complement each other as part of a regular supplement regimen. Before you take either supplement — or both — consult with your doctor.
Krill Oil May Improve Heart Health More Than Fish Oil
It found that both fish oil and krill oil improved several heart disease risk factors. However, they also found that krill oil was more effective than fish oil at lowering blood sugar, triglycerides and “bad” LDL cholesterol.
Expert Analysis. All individuals should aim to consume approximately 2 servings of fatty fish per week as part of a heart-healthy diet. Routine use of non-prescription fish oil is not recommended for primary or secondary prevention of CVD.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. They reduce fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary artery disease (CAD), sudden cardiac death, and all-cause mortality. They are well tolerated and cause minimal adverse effects.
CoQ10 supplements appear to be safe and to produce few side effects when taken as directed. Mild side effects might include digestive problems such as: Upper abdominal pain. Loss of appetite.
Risks. People with chronic diseases such as heart failure, liver problems, or diabetes should be wary of using this supplement. CoQ10 may lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
Coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ) may improve blood pressure and vascular function. This study determined whether omega3FA and CoQ have independent or additive effects in improving the cardiovascular profile, particularly blood pressure and heart rate, in nondiabetic patients with CKD stages 3-4.
Afterwards researchers tested how well blood flowed through the arteries of people in the study. The results were encouraging. The CoQ10 supplement improved blood vessel health by about 42%, so the researchers thought this meant that the risk of heart disease was lowered by 13%.
Vitamin E and vitamin C are probably the best vitamin antioxidants. If you already have heart disease, vitamin E might reduce your risk of a future heart attack. Vitamin C helps vitamin E work better in your body. It also improves the way your arteries work.
The findings showed that taking CoQ10 by patients with CAD significantly decreased total-cholesterol (SMD -1.07; 95% CI, − 1.94, − 0.21, P = 0.01) and increased HDL-cholesterol levels (SMD 1.30; 95% CI, 0.20, 2.41, P = 0.02).
Drug Interactions and Additive Effects
On the other hand, some studies have shown that CoQ10 has done the complete opposite to Vitamin K Antagonists and actually enhanced the anti-blood-clotting effect, which leads to excessive bleeding.
It should be noted that taking CoQ10 close to bedtime may cause insomnia in some people, so it's best to take it in the morning or afternoon ( 41 ). CoQ10 supplements can interact with some common medications, including blood thinners, antidepressants and chemotherapy drugs.
Recent research links low blood levels of CoQ10 with low levels of heart-protective “good” cholesterol which in turn may further increase risk for heart disease. Cholesterol-lowering statins may also reduce blood levels of CoQ10.
CoQ10 supplements may improve heart health and blood sugar and help manage high blood pressure in people with diabetes. Preliminary studies found that CoQ10 improves blood sugar control. But other studies show no effect. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor or registered dietitian before taking CoQ10.
Research indicates that supplementing with CoQ10 or magnesium may provide palpitation relief in some individuals. One study investigating the effects of CoQ10 on heart failure found that 50 mg/day for 4 weeks led to a reduction in heart palpitations in participants.
If you have been taking CoQ10 supplements while trying to conceive or through fertility treatments, we recommend stopping as soon as you are pregnant UNTIL you discuss it with your doctor.
In some cases, doses may be gradually increased to 3000 mg per day. For heart failure and fluid build up in the body (congestive heart failure or CHF): 30 mg once daily, or up to 300 mg per day divided into two or three doses for up to 2 years. Also, 2 mg/kg daily for up to one year has been used.
In addition to reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems in patients with liver disease, CoQ10 supplementation may also benefit the disease process within the liver by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
In summary, fish oil may reduce atherosclerosis by activating numerous nuclear receptors including PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma, by inhibiting the infiltration of macrophages and as the release of MMPs, and by preventing the weakening and rupturing of atherosclerotic plaque.
People taking blood pressure medication should talk to a doctor before trying these supplements. Blood clotting: Omega-3s might also affect blood clotting, so people with clotting disorders, bleeding disorders, and those taking clotting medication should talk to a doctor before supplementing with fish oil.