Tired of feeling tired? How to keep the heart ticking after 60

Stephen Eddey, Principal of Health Schools Australia share his top 3 tips for maintaining energy

Have you ever wondered why you can’t shake the feeling of fatigue, no matter how much you rest and how good your sleep is?  The answer may lie in depleted levels of Ubiquinol, the antioxidant found naturally in our body’s which is responsible for supporting energy production. Research indicates that as we age, our natural Ubiquinol levels decline and our ability for our body to restore these levels declines too.

Ubiquinol is an endogenous antioxidant, i.e. it is found and produced naturally in our body. It has been shown to help in the fight against age-related degeneration which is caused by natural ageing, stress and environmental issues such as toxicity, by helping to support energy production and anti-oxidation. It is one of two forms of CoQ10; the inactive oxidised form known as Ubiquinone and the active form known as Ubiquinol that has superior bioavailability and is 3-8 times more absorbable than the former.  Ubiquinol makes up more than 95% of the total CoQ10 in the body of a healthy individual.

When we age, however, or when our body is under prolonged stress due to lifestyle, diet or environmental factors, our natural Ubiquinol levels may become depleted and the ability to produce CoQ10 declines. In addition to this, the free radical activity and oxidative stress that occurs in our body from normal metabolism, even in healthy individuals, increases as we get older.

One of the main roles of antioxidants in the body is to help combat free radical activity and oxidative stress. As such, antioxidants like Ubiquinol may help to minimise the impairment of normal functioning cells thereby help to support healthy ageing by restoring essential levels of CoQ10 back into your system.

When your energy production is low, it affects your natural energy levels in your organs such as heart and liver, which means they are unable to function optimally. This may be the reason why you are feeling sluggish and generally tired.

Here are some tips to help get you feeling like your normal self again:

1. Incorporate Ubiquinol Into Your Diet 

In order to receive the minimum required amount of Ubiquinol each day (100 – 150mg), one would need to eat 3.4 kg of red meat, 5.7 kg of chicken or 50 cups of spinach. Scientific studies have indicated that Ubiquinol in an active and readily bioavailable form may be an efficient way to help restore healthy levels of CoQ10 and support optimal energy levels.

2.   Low Impact Exercise

Ubiquinol is an important component of energy production found concentrated in organs that require the highest amount of energy, such as the heart, liver, muscles and kidneys. The energy Ubiquinol produces in these main areas can be put towards low impact exercises to help improve fitness without injury. Some low-impact-high-burning-calorie exercises include walking, swimming and water aerobics.

3.   H20

A hydrated body functions much more efficiently than a dehydrated one. Water is a major nutrient in your body that fuels all the organs and vital systems. Drinking a couple of glasses of water will help you to dodge that feeling of sluggishness or irritability. To increase the amount of natural vitamins you consume, adding a slice of fruit to your water, for example lemon, not only assists in the taste but provides numerous benefits as it is an excellent source of vitamin C, providing important antioxidants and electrolytes, including iron, potassium and calcium.

Do you feel tired a lot? What do you think is the cause of your tiredness and do you think these tips will help you? Tell us in the comments below!