Q: I like to go hiking, especially in the Southwest, every summer. Are theresupplements I can take to increase my endurance at high altitudes?
A: At high altitudes, there is less oxygen in the atmosphere, and your heart has to work harder. There is also a change in atmospheric pressure, which reduces your body's ability to carry oxygen. Symptoms can range from breathlessness and fatigue to nausea and headaches. Most individuals need at least several days to adjust to significant changes in altitude. Here's what you can do to help speed the process:
Drink a glass of water every hour, so that your heart can pump more easily.
Dose yourself with a nutrient called coenzyme Q10 daily for at least five days before departing on your trip, and during the actual hike. This nutrient actually assists each cell's mitochondrion--its energy powerhouse--to burn fats, increasing general levels of energy. Co Q10 reduces high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats and will allow your heart to pump more efficiently at high altitudes. I recommend a daily dose of 120 milligrams.
