Spring - The Season of Renewal

Its cherry blossom time, a time of renewal, and a potent reminder of how beautiful the outside world is after a long grey winter. The only sad thing about cherry blossom is that it seems to leave as swiftly as it arrives. This makes me think of how much energy the tree uses to produce such a fleeting, but delightful, display. For humans too, spring is a time when we start to feel more energetic. The nights are getting lighter and the weather slightly warmer, and this encourages us to be more active.

There are several nutrients that support energy production, my favourite being CoQ10. Also known as ubiquinone, CoQ10 is a vitamin-like substance found in every cell of the human body. This important co-factor plays an important role in the release of the energy from the food we eat. You will find the highest concentrations of CoQ10 in you heart and liver and in any tissue that needs to regenerate quickly. Dentists sometimes recommend CoQ10 for gum health and you can find it in some toothpastes. However, there is little research to suggest the body utilises it this way. If you are looking to improve your gum health it is probably far better to take it in a supplement form.

Sadly, although the body can make CoQ10, production declines as we age. It has also been suggested that some cholesterol lowering drugs may reduce CoQ10 levels in the body. You will commonly see two types of CoQ10 in your local health food store - Ubiquinone and Ubiquinol. Ubiquinol is the pre-converted form of co-enzyme Q10, and some studies suggest that it may be utilised more easily by those who have pre-existing, age related, conditions. So, if you feel like you might need an extra spring in your step, you may want to consider your CoQ10 levels.