What the Heck is CoQ10, and Do We Need to Take it?
Having been a health care practitioner for almost ten years now, I have had my fair share of experience with vitamins, minerals, juices, special powders, superfoods, and dietary supplements in general. I have done it all, from making the daily breakfast smoothie chock full of protein and vitamin powders, to taking a combination of seven or eight vitamins a day, so I know how tedious it can be. I found myself thinking, why can’t I just take a Flintstones chewable like I used to give my daughter? But of course, there is no easy fix or magic pill for a healthy lifestyle.
There is, however, Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10.
CoQ10 is a key nutrient in boosting your cells’ energy levels. Found in every single cell, your body naturally produces CoQ10, but at the age of about 25, the level of production decreases dramatically. Some nutritionists believe that this change in production contributes to a decline in mental and physical energy that a lot of people in their 30s and beyond notice.
Cellular energy is directly linked to so many aspects of health, it’s no surprise to learn that CoQ10 is commonly used in treatment for heart conditions, diabetes, migraines, muscular dystrophy, and many other conditions. Additionally, CoQ10 has been shown to strengthen the immune system and even fight breast cancer. There’s even being research done right now studying the effects of CoQ10 on lifespan and longevity.
One way to incorporate more CoQ10 into your life is through meals. Foods such as spinach, broccoli, peanuts, wheat germ, and eggs are great sources, along with whole grains and the heart, liver, and meat of beef, lamb, and pork. However, as much as I personally prefer to get my nutrients form whole foods, it’s important to note that eating these foods is not usually a sufficient substitute for taking a supplement, so you should consider including both into your healthy habits.
From the research being done, it seems like everyone over 25 should be taking a CoQ10 supplement, even if you already have a healthy diet and lifestyle. In addition to aging, smoking also decreases your body’s ability to produce CoQ10, so smokers should be sure to get their hands on some CoQ10.
CoQ10 is a great addition to your anti-aging arsenal, and can boost your day-to-day energy on a cellular level. I know I’ll definitely be trying it out!
“This entry has been posted as part of Prevention Not Prescriptions Tuesday hosted by The Kathleen Show” Click here and check it out!
What Does an Anti-Inflammation Diet Have to do With Longevity?
So many people are looking for that special diet that will change everything about the way they look and feel, but I’ve started to notice that most of the diets out there are more like programs rather than lifestyle changes, focusing on a quick fix, and not long-term health.
However, in the search for a comprehensively anti-aging lifestyle, I’m hearing more and more people talking about the role of an anti-inflammation diet. I found it a little odd that there were no really concrete rules or regimens, such as a gluten-free diet or a açai super-fruit diet, so I asked myself what, exactly, does “anti-inflammation” mean when it comes to our food and the way that it interacts with our body?
As it turns out, all food can be divided into three categories based on how they affect us on a cellular level: pro-inflammatory, neutral, or anti-inflammatory. By choosing an anti-inflammatory diet, not only can we slow down the affects of aging on our cells, but also fight against heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.
The good news is that anti-inflammatory foods are easy to find and delicious to use. For example, whole grains, all kinds of beans, and nuts and seeds are all great anti-inflammatory foods. Even better news? Natural dark chocolate and red wine are also anti-inflammatory, and high in antioxidants, and can slow down the affects of aging.
Another really important thing to include in your anti-aging diet is a variety of richly colored fruits and veggies, especially cabbage, onions, and garlic.
Doctor Andrew Weil, creator of the Anti-Inflammatory food pyramid (http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02995/Dr-Weil-Anti-Inflammatory-Food-Pyramid.html), says, “Following an anti-inflammatory diet can help counteract the chronic inflammation that is a root cause of many serious diseases, including those that become more frequent as people age. It is a way of selecting and preparing foods based on science that can help people achieve and maintain optimum health over their lifetime.” With that in mind, here are a few recipes that are high in anti-inflammatory foods, not to mention really tasty.
Recipes from: The Anti-Inflammation Diet and Recipe Book by Jessica K Black, N.D.
Five Minute Breakfast (can’t beat that, and it’s a warm breakfast too)
1 cup leftover cooked brown rice
¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/8 cup raisins
¼ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup rice milk or almond milk or other milk alternative
1/2 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan on the stove. Add milk to cover the rice for a cereal consistency. Warm over moderate heat to desired temperature and serve.
Serves 2
Nutritional Information:
370.5 calories~11 g protien~40.7g Carb~5.2 g fiber~20.4 g total fat-This recipe is chock full of nutritional value, Omega 3’s, folate, and remember cinnamon is great for regulating blood sugar.
Dianne’s Personal note:
I started doing this with my leftover brown rice years ago and found it such a great alternative to oatmeal. (I still love oatmeal, but great for a change)
Substitutions:
Any nuts and seeds you like and you have on hand. I also really like dried cranberries instead of raisins..
Quinoa Vegetable Salad (this can be for lunch or dinner)
2 cups leftover cooked boneless, skinless chicken, cubed
1 cup cooked quinoa or 1/3 cup dried quinoa
1 medium apple, peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 medium carrot, shredded
¼ cup walnuts
1/3-cup raisins
1 ½ tablespoons organic mayonnaise (w/ no preservatives or hydrogenated oils)
4 large lettuce leaves (for serving)
If dried, cook quinoa according to directions
Toss all ingredients together, and serve chilled over lettuce leaves.
Serves 4.
Nutritional Information:
284 calories~20.8 g protien~31g carbs~3.7g fiber~9.4 total fat
Quinoa is a high-energy grain and a complete protein. It contains more calcium than milk.
Substitutions:
You can substitute many different kinds of chopped fruits, nuts or raw vegetable. You can use cooked or canned salmon in place of chicken, or just completely leave meat out.
Dianne’s Personal Note:
I would add scallions, zucchini, avocado and I would prefer to leave out the mayo and add olive oil and lime juice. Just my personal preference.
I hope that you gained a little insight about how an Anti-Inflammation Diet can affect the aging process… Please leave a comment and let me know.
“This entry has been posted as part of Prevention Not Prescriptions Tuesday hosted by The Kathleen Show” Please check it out here!
My mission as your Anti-Aging Artist
My mission as your Anti-Aging Artist is first and foremost to share with you a ton of valuable information to help those of you who want to create a beautiful and personal inner canvas of health, balance and well-being.
OK this photo is about 16 months old before this old lady got braces. Good news is, braces are coming off tomorrow!
On my blog you will find:
- Many ways to increase your energy!
- Lots of tips to manage stress!
- Valuable and sound nutrition advice to get you off that dangerous dieting cycle! Here we will focus on a “Whole” foods approach to eating….Yummy recipes too of course!
- Sound fitness ideas, don’t worry, nobody will have to train for a tri-athalon…unless you want to of course!
- Tips on improving your memory…my nineteen year old daughter is fairly certain I personally need all the help I can get with this one!
- Inspiration, Inspiration, Inspiration! Every Wednesday we will have a little dharma discussion. We’ll call it Hump Day Dharma. This is where I will share with you some thought provoking and practical information for us to discuss, chew on and share ideas about. This will be information that has been derived from my many years of yoga practice. We will take our yoga off the mat and into our daily living….Can’t wait for this!
- We will look at ways to achieve emotional and mental fitness as well!
Welcome, I am so glad you’re here!
Brand new blog heading your way soon!
Will be filled with tons of valuable information regarding your health, well-being and happiness.
I have so much I want to share with you and I look forward to seeing you here again soon.
Meanwhile, feel free to leave a comment about what you want to learn about and subscribe to site so that you will know when I share new and valuable information. Until then…
Yours in the best of Health and Happiness
dianne delreyes, the anti-aging artist See ya soon
