Coenzym Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like compound produced by the body. It plays an important role in the energy production of cells, has an antioxidant effect and influences the immune system. Coenzyme Q10 belongs to the ubiquinones, which are found in all living cells.
When is coenzyme Q10 used?
- Cardiovascular diseases
Due to its important function in energy metabolism and antioxidant activity, coenzyme Q10 is often used in cardiovascular diseases. It helps to protect the blood vessels or cholesterol and fat transporters (lipoproteins) from a loss of function due to oxidative damage. - Migraine
Coenzyme Q10 can be used efficiently to prevent migraine attacks, often in combination with vitamin B6 and magnesium. The effect probably comes from the improvement of the energy deficit in the mitochondria of the brain cells. - Diabetes
Coenzyme Q10 can improve insulin levels and the effect of insulin in diabetics. Supplementation also leads to a reduction in oxidative stress, which may reduce the long-term effects of diabetes.
- Skin ageing
Due to its effect as an antioxidant, coenzyme Q10 protects skin cells from ageing. Coenzyme Q10 is therefore often found in cosmetic anti-ageing products. However, the concentration in these are often very low and can certainly be replaced by taking a supplement.
- Other areas of application
Improving sperm quality | Hypertension | Neurodegenerative diseases | Sports | Gum inflammation (lozenges) | Cancer | Cystic fibrosis | Fibromyalgia
What are the symptoms of coenzyme Q10 deficiency?
- Loss of performance, listlessness, fatigue
- Impairment of heart muscle function
- Muscle pain
- Oxidative stress and its consequences
- accelerated (tissue) ageing
- Arteriosclerosis
- Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's)
- Cancers
- increase of oxidized LDL cholesterol (risk factor for arteriosclerosis)
What is the difference between ubiquinone and ubiquinol?
In recent years, the reduced form of ubiquinone, ubiquinol, has been increasingly used in supplements. Compared to ubiquinone, this form is more unstable and significantly more expensive than conventional ubiquinone. Since the body can easily convert the two forms, the use of ubiquinol currently offers few advantages.
Coenzyme Q10 bioavailability
Coenzyme Q10 is only found in very small quantities in food. Although sardines, for example, are rich in coenzyme Q10, you would have to eat 2 kg of sardines to get 100 mg of coenzyme Q10. Therefore, supplementation makes perfect sense to reach therapeutic doses. The usual preventive dosage ranges between 30 and 60 mg per day.
Since coenzyme Q10 is highly fat-soluble, it is absorbed by the body only in small amounts. In modern formulations (e.g. lozenges, dissolved liposomal preparations in drop form), Q10 is much better utilizable. Likewise, coenzyme Q10 should be taken with meals to improve absorption through the fat in the food.
When does supplementation of coenzyme Q10 make sense?
From the age of 40 to 50 years, the body's own production of coenzyme Q10 decreases, which means that supplementation from this age onwards makes perfect sense.
Therapy with cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) not only inhibits the formation of cholesterol, but also the body's own coenzyme Q10 synthesis. Therefore, patients who are treated with cholesterol-lowering drugs are recommended to take coenzyme Q10 supplements at the same time.
