Coenzyme Q10 helps protect cells against oxidative damage and has been linked with heart disease, certain cancers and Parkinson’s disease. Low levels may increase your risk.

CoQ10 (ubiquinone), also referred to as lipid-soluble vitamin-like substance, can be found both within mitochondria and most cell membranes, where it helps improve endothelial function for increased blood flow during physical exercise or conditions like atherosclerosis.

How It Works

Coenzyme Q10 (commonly referred to as Ubiquinone or ubiquinol) is an essential nutrient found throughout aerobic organisms ranging from bacteria to mammals. CoQ10, also known as Ubiquinone or ubiquinol), can be found naturally occurring quinone found within mitochondria of cells – providing fat-soluble antioxidant protection against damage to proteins, lipids and DNA by free radicals while acting as an ATP energy producer in electron transport chain processes.

CoQ10 is an effective antioxidant that acts as an anti-inflammatory, protecting cardiovascular system and body against oxidative stress. Produced in liver and kidneys and stored at high levels in heart, muscles and other areas such as brain. Also found abundantly in foods like sardines liver chicken and broccoli. However, levels tend to diminish with age so supplementation is often recommended in order to support your natural ability of using this antioxidant effectively.

Studies have demonstrated the benefits of CoQ10 supplements in helping to prevent mitochondrial electron transport chain activity decline associated with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s. Studies also suggest taking 300 milligrams daily may slow cognitive decline seen with this condition.

CoQ10 also helps reduce inflammation responses associated with heart failure or high blood pressure, according to numerous randomized controlled trials. For instance, taking CoQ10 supplements for three months has shown to lower CRP and interleukin-6 markers of inflammation significantly.

CoQ10 plays an essential role in producing ATP – the cell’s energy source – within mitochondria. Furthermore, its antioxidant activity protects them against potential oxidative damage caused by exposure of proteins, lipids and DNA to oxygen.

Studies examining the combination of CoQ10 and daunorubicin, an effective chemotherapy medication, revealed that adding CoQ10 enhanced its impact on cancer cells by helping it pass more easily through their cell membranes. Further investigation is currently being done regarding this possible link between CoQ10 and cancer treatments.

Benefits

Coenzyme Q10 is produced naturally in our bodies and found in foods like meat, fish, nuts, seeds and vegetables in small amounts. As people age their ability to produce it diminishes thus supplementation is necessary in order to get enough of this important vitamin. Coenzyme Q10 works to convert fats and other nutrients into energy while acting as an antioxidant against damaging compounds known as free radicals – also lowering blood pressure and helping prevent build-up of fluid in the body due to heart failure.

Coenzyme Q10 plays an essential role in cell metabolism and producing energy carrier ATP, making it essential for heart function as it improves cell production of ATP, inhibits blood clot formation and protects from damage to the heart. It has also been used to treat congestive heart failure and chest pain (angina). Furthermore, studies have demonstrated its beneficial properties to increase physical performance among healthy people by increasing oxygen consumption during exercise sessions and prolonging time to exhaustion on treadmill tests.

Studies conducted with subjects who took 150 mg of Coenzyme Q10 daily demonstrated better cycling workout results compared to those taking placebo, likely because Coenzyme Q10 enhances mitochondrial function within their muscles and leads to greater energy for exercising.

Studies have demonstrated the positive benefits of Coenzyme Q10 on brain health, including its protection from Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, CoQ10 helps increase concentration and accuracy of memory while protecting against Parkinson’s disease-associated neurodegeneration and helps offset reduced activity of mitochondrial electron transport chains that could negatively impact nerve channels and brain functioning in this condition.

Coenzyme Q10 may help protect against hearing loss associated with diabetes. Initial research suggests that long-term supplementation of Coenzyme Q10 can mitigate some symptoms associated with maternally Inherited Diabetes Mellitus and Deafness Syndrome (MIDD), caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA. When Coenzyme Q10 levels drop in cells and blood, supplementation has been proven to both increase insulin secretion as well as prevent progressive hearing loss in those living with MIDD.

Side Effects

CoQ10 may seem complex at first glance, but its main role is quite straightforward: to help cells produce energy. Naturally produced in your body (though production decreases as we age), CoQ10 stores within mitochondria – the energy-producing centers within each cell where energy production occurs – before being used to synthesize ATP or Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). CoQ10 also acts as an antioxidant protecting cells against damage caused by free radicals.

CoQ10 belongs to the ubiquinone family and can be found in all living organisms, with concentrations highest in liver and heart tissues as well as skeletal muscles and blood. Cells take up this fat-soluble compound where it’s converted to its reduced form (CoQ10H2) that protects cell membranes and low density lipoproteins from oxidation.

CoQ10 may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation associated with chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes by protecting mitochondria from damage; some researchers even speculate it can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation caused by neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and certain encephalomyopathies; although, research into its use for such uses remains mixed.

One study demonstrated that an eight-week, placebo-controlled supplementation with 100 to 150 mg/day of coenzyme Q10 significantly improved measures of physical performance in trained and untrained men; however, its beneficial effect on aerobic exercise capacity wasn’t sustained at three to eight weeks post supplementation.

At present, several randomized controlled trials have examined the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 supplements in treating congestive heart failure as well as cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. While these studies show that supplemented CoQ10 is safe, their findings remain inconsistent and require further study. Furthermore, evidence is limited as to whether combination treatments of CoQ10 with other nutritional supplements improve cardiovascular disease risk factors; nonetheless it should be remembered that some dietary supplements can interact with medications like warfarin (an anticoagulant drug) metformin/ insulin and cancer treatments among others.

Interactions

Coenzyme Q10 can be found in nearly all cells and has powerful antioxidant properties. As an enzyme that converts food into energy and protects against oxidative damage caused by free radicals that contribute to heart disease and cancer, Coenzyme Q10 also seems to prevent blood clot formation as well as help lower blood pressure – potentially making people with certain conditions such as gum disease, Parkinson’s disease or blood infections have lower levels of Coenzyme Q10.

CoQ10 can be found in meats, fish, nuts and seeds in high amounts; it can also be manufactured synthetically in laboratories. CoQ10 is most often prescribed to treat conditions relating to the heart such as fluid accumulation (congestive heart failure) and chest pain (angina). Additionally, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure may benefit from CoQ10.

Studies suggest that CoQ10 may improve energy production in the heart, reduce blood pressure and slow progression of heart failure. Furthermore, it may help prevent blood clot formation while protecting against oxidative stress that is common with heart conditions.

Antioxidant vitamin E helps prevent lipid peroxidation and the altering of proteins, lipids and DNA. By protecting cell membranes and mitochondria, vitamin E may slow the aging process while increasing exercise endurance and decreasing pain from chronic cardiovascular disease.

Study conducted with 420 patients suffering from heart failure found that those taking CoQ10 supplements experienced significantly fewer hospitalizations and deaths from heart-related causes compared to the control group. CoQ10 supplements may also help improve blood flow while relieving symptoms associated with heart failure such as fatigue, coughing, coughing up blood when coughing is involuntarily retching coughing up, coughing up mucous shortness of breath dizziness weight loss.

CoQ10 supplements are generally safe to take, having been widely utilized in various conditions over many years, however if you have an existing health condition or take blood-thinning drugs it’s advisable to first speak to your physician prior to adding one as they could interact. You should also read reviews, certifications and labels on supplements to make sure that they provide correct dosage, minimal preservatives and enhancers, minimal fillers or filler ingredients and do not contain hidden fillers that might add unknown fillers – look for labels which list these ingredients or manufacturers who do use fillers which list these components separately from listed ingredients on labels that include them all!