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In addition to the groundwork of good health and energy: proper rest, good nutrition, and sound exercise, I also recommend you supplement your diet with probably the strongest and most potent of the antioxidant breed called coenzyme Q10—known simply as CoQ10. This compound sounds like something from Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory, but it’s a little easier to appreciate the “coenzyme” name when you consider that vitamins in general function as coenzymes in your body—enhancing thousands of essential biochemical reactions. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, CoQ10’s major role is the production of adenosine triphosphate (known commonly as ATP), which is needed for energy production in every cell of your body.

For your information coenzyme Q10 was discovered in 1957—which is relatively late as vitamin discoveries go—and it wasn’t until 1978 that Dr. Peter Mitchell of the University of Edinburgh figured out how CoQ10 produces energy at the cellular level. It was such an important discovery that he won the Nobel Price in chemistry. Since then, numerous studies of patients with heart disease, cancer, and AIDS demonstrated that all of the participants were deficient in CoQ10. The problem is that although CoQ10 is found in many foods, only organ meats contain significant amounts, and most people—including me—don’t eat liver and brains. But I do supplement my diet with a daily dose of 60mg just to be on the safe, energetic side.

Like CoQ10 I also include two other energy boosters to supplement my body’s cellular energy production and antioxidant defense network. While there’s no RDA on these compounds, medical research has proven their effectiveness and numerous nutritional experts include them into their arsenal – as do I. I know you can’t feel more energetic on the outside if you’re not producing more energy on the inside.

The first is called alpha lipoic acid – or just ALA. It’s vital in the Krebs cycle, which is the physiological process that provides continuous energy to every cell in your body. And in addition to converting good and bad carbohydrates into energy within the millions of tiny mitochondria, ALA also neutralizes any free radicals that are produced as byproducts of the Krebs cycle. In other words, ALA cleans up after it works! I take a 100mg of ALA as my daily dose.

The other energy booster is known as acetyl-L-carnitine – or ALC. Now don’t be concerned with the fancy chemical names, just remember ALA and ALC. ALC is also central to the production of cellular energy. It has the power to improve energy production within brain cells, restore receptors, and protect nerve cells against the ravages of stress. What this means is a healthier, more energized brain capable of helping you to stay focused for longer periods of time on your passions, pursuits, and pleasures. In fact, many supplement companies add the words “memory booster” on the front label of the ALA container – just above the dosage of 500mg. You can find dietary ALA in the high protein sources of beef, pork, and chicken.

As part of my high-energy game plan, I regularly take my supplements at the end of breakfast with my last gulp of milk, juice, or water. That’s because it’s important to supplementize on a full stomach to avoid indigestion and to enhance the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. And also because with any life-enhancing strategy, making it fit conveniently into your daily routine ensures that you’ll adhere to the plan and stay on track toward your ultimate success. -- PC