What is CoQ10?
Co-enzyme Q10 is an essential nutrient and antioxidant found in every cell in the body. It supports and promotes mitochondrial function essential for cellular energy. It is critical for eye, brain, and heart health. Health conditions like heart disease, brain disorders, diabetes, and cancer have been linked to low levels of CoQ10.1 The highest concentrations of COQ10 are found in organs with the greatest energy demands, such as the heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver.2 It is present in large quantities in the retina and the brain.3 4
CoQ10 is essential because it supports mitochondria processes. Mitochondria are the cellular energy producers that support all cellular activity. When CoQ10 is depleted or deficient, cells throughout the body are deprived of a fundamental need. Other nutrients such as acetyl-l-carnitine, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, PQQ, and alpha-lipoic acid enhance CoQ10 functioning.
How Do We Get CoQ10?
The body produces some of its own CoQ10, but we also get it from food sources. CoQ10 exists as both ubiquinol and ubiquinone. Ubiquinol is a form that is better at quenching free radicals because ubiquinol is the reduced form of CoQ10. In biology, reduction refers to adding electrons to compounds, rendering them more effective. Production of CoQ10 diminishes in the body as one ages — up to 70% in heart muscle,5 and also is affected by statin drugs by possibly up to 40%.6 7
Healthy individuals naturally produce sufficient CoQ10. However, a genetic flaw, advanced age, low fat intake, side effects from statin drugs, and other reasons can cause a deficiency.