Millions of people worldwide take CoQ10 as a nutritional supplement, as studies have demonstrated its beneficial properties to optimize biomarkers, maintain health and enhance physical performance.

Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble vitamin-like compound found throughout all animals including humans and produced synthetically by laboratory processes. Ubiquinones contain benzoquinone “heads” which allow them to accept or donate electrons as needed.

What is Coenzyme Q10?

Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like substance that plays an integral part in energy production for cells and acts as an antioxidant, protecting them against damage caused by free radicals. Coenzyme Q10 can be found both naturally in our bodies as well as found in many food items like oily fish, vegetables and meats – as well as being available as supplements – making CoQ10 an essential nutrient to support heart health as we age and promote longevity.

Coenzyme Q10 can exist in various oxidation states in human tissues. The oxidation state determines how easily its benzoquinone head group accepts or donates electrons; CoQ10 exists as the reduced ubiquinol form (Coenzyme Q10H2), the more reactive semiquinone radical CoQ10H3 as well as fully oxidized ubiquinone form coenzyme Q10.

Coenzyme Q10’s key role in mitochondrial bioenergetics makes it believed to improve their actions; our cells depend on these energy producers as the sources for energy production. According to some theories, insufficient mitochondrial energy production may contribute to heart failure, bronchitis, Parkinson disease and cancer among other ailments.

Coenzyme Q10 levels decline with age and some medications, such as antacids and statins. Coenzyme Q10 acts as a natural antioxidant that may protect against LDL-cholesterol oxidation and reduce formation of nitric oxide in blood vessels, thus decreasing coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Studies suggest long-term coenzyme Q10 supplementation may even lower cardiovascular event risks following an angioplasty procedure to stent blocked coronary arteries.

Study results demonstrate that diet and exercise can increase muscle tissue concentrations of coenzyme Q10, making the supplement useful in treating congestive heart failure, in which fluid builds up within the heart, leading to breathlessness and chest pain, migraine headache prevention, as well as supporting those living with Parkinson’s disease.

How is Coenzyme Q10 Made?

Coenzyme Q10 can be found throughout the body and is found in its highest concentration in the liver and kidneys. Food sources that contain high concentrations include meat (particularly organ meats), fish, whole grains, nuts and vegetables – it may even be produced artificially in laboratories.

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is a fat-soluble compound stored in our bodies’ fatty tissues and cells. As such, it may be taken as dietary supplements or used to treat certain conditions.

CoQ10 plays an essential role in mitochondrial oxidative respiratory chains that produce ATP for energy production, acting as an electron transferant and antioxidant simultaneously. Furthermore, CoQ10 may contribute to vasodilation through endothelium-dependent vasodilation and reductions in cell structure damage caused by high blood pressure.

CoQ10 plays an integral part in maintaining optimal pH levels in lysosomal membranes. Lysosome-bound digestive enzymes require constant supplies of protons for operation; CoQ10 assists with transporting them across membranes to keep pH at an ideal level.

CoQ10 is synthesized naturally by our bodies using pantothenic acid and vitamin B6, but is also available as a dietary supplement in the form of ubiquinol (2,3-dimethoxy-5 methoxy-6 decaprenyl benzoquinone). However, both are distinct compounds with differing chemical structures which cannot be interchanged.

CoQ10 not only plays an essential role in mitochondrial energy production, but it has been found to have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties as well. Furthermore, CoQ10 is known to increase exercise capacity for people living with heart failure while simultaneously decreasing oxidative stress which could reduce mortality risk in these patients.

Studies have demonstrated that taking 30 to 300 mg/day of CoQ10 supplements may help prevent or reduce symptoms associated with heart disease, including reduced fluid build-up in the lungs (congestive heart failure) and chest pain (angina). CoQ10 seems particularly effective at increasing complexes I and II’s ability to transfer electrons down mitochondrial electron transport chains thereby decreasing oxidative stress.

Which Form of Coenzyme Q10 is Better?

CoQ10 plays an essential role in producing ATP, the primary energy source for all cells. Furthermore, its antioxidant properties protect cell membranes and DNA from damage. CoQ10 can be found everywhere but most concentrated in heart and liver cells where studies have demonstrated its benefits to cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and raising cholesterol levels; additionally its powerful cellular antioxidant capabilities may help fight against free radical damage that contributes to premature aging and disease development.

Q10H2, or ubiquinol CoQ10, is an effective fat-soluble antioxidant that provides protection from oxidation. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy against mitochondrial peroxidation as well as low density lipoprotein peroxidation due to its ability to restore fully reduced CoQ10 by NAD(P)H oxidoreductases while simultaneously reducing any oxidized CoQ10 which becomes available.

Ubiquinol has been shown to significantly enhance mitochondrial functions in both brain and skeletal muscles, due to its ability to decrease ROS production while increasing efficiency of mitochondrial ATP production.

CoQ10’s antioxidant properties may play a significant role in the normal aging process. According to free radical and mitochondrial theories of aging, functional decline results from ROS which damage cells; repair by antioxidants is possible, otherwise more ROS will be produced and fuel a self-perpetuating cycle of damage and more ROS production. CoQ10 has been found to delay or even stop cell aging by acting as an antioxidant and protecting mitochondrial DNA from further oxidative damage.

Studies have demonstrated that oral supplementation of CoQ10 improves energy metabolism in liver, skeletal muscles and heart tissue. A placebo-controlled study conducted among Parkinson’s patients demonstrated that supplementing with CoQ10 significantly improved motor symptoms while delaying progression of their disease when compared with taking Levodopa alone.

Studies have demonstrated that when taken orally, ubiquinol-form CoQ10 can be rapidly absorbed and found in high concentrations in blood plasma. Beiersdorf is proud to be part of the International Coenzyme Q10 Association which brings together internationally-recognized scientists and doctors from different fields for regular dialogue regarding its importance as a natural nutrient.

Which Form of Coenzyme Q10 Should I Take?

Coenzyme Q10 is essential to the mitochondria, the energy factories of cells. As an antioxidant it also protects these vital structures from damage; studies have also demonstrated its anti-atherostatic and heart failure-preventing abilities. As a key component in many medicines and an essential dietary source it can be found in meat, fish, nuts seeds and vegetables.

Human bodies produce Coenzyme Q10 naturally and also take in supplements in food or supplement form. Coenzyme Q10 can be found either as its oxidized form ubiquinone or its reduced form ubiquinol; Ubiquinol has stronger antioxidant activity and may be better absorbed by the body, particularly since its production occurs primarily in livers and kidneys. Thought to contribute more towards energy production than antioxidant actions; researchers believe oxidized forms contribute more towards cell energy production while its active form, Ubiquinol, plays a more significant role.

Studies have demonstrated the correlation between low levels of coenzyme Q10 in diet and certain health conditions; specifically those associated with heart failure, cancer, high blood pressure, gum disease or Parkinson disease having lower-than-normal coenzyme Q10 levels and these conditions. A recent investigation into supplementation effects with Coenzyme Q10 for Maternally Inherited Diabetes Mellitus-Deafness Syndrome (MIDD) patients found long-term supplementation improved insulin secretion while decreasing glucose and lipid abnormalities significantly.

Research has also demonstrated that supplemented Coenzyme Q10 can enhance cardiovascular health by increasing endothelium-dependent vasodilation. However, larger group studies are necessary in order to confirm these results.

Supplemental coenzyme Q10 may also assist with symptoms associated with fibromyalgia and side effects associated with certain medications, including cholesterol-lowering statins. Furthermore, reports have documented its benefits in increasing exercise capacity among heart failure patients as well as mitochrondrial cytopathy victims. Herbal/health supplements should only be taken according to instructions on the label or by healthcare professionals and it’s essential that any medical conditions, allergies or medications and supplements taken be fully disclosed when speaking to your healthcare provider about them – whether ubiquinol passes into breast milk or potentially harms it’s unknown yet.