What is CoQ10?

Health Benefits of Coq10

Coenzyme Q10 known as CoQ10 comes in different names such as Ubiquinone, Coenzima, 

Ubidcarenone, and Ubiquinol. Your body produces CoQ10 naturally but as you age, its production 

tends to decrease and that’s when you can supplement the need from foods that are rich in CoQ10 

or through dietary supplements.

The primary function of CoQ10 is generating energy in your cells, reducing the symptoms of 

mitochondrial disorders (conditions that affect energy-production in the cells of the body.) The 

Mitochondria oversee the production of energy and CoQ10 is a compound stored in the 

mitochondria of your cells. CoQ10 can also protect cells from disease-causing bacteria, viruses 

and oxidative damage and that’s why it also serves as a great antioxidant.

Because CoQ10 decrease with age, older people seem to be more deficient of this compound. 

Although it is not clear whether this is the main cause or result of certain conditions like heart 

disease, diabetes, brain disorders and cancer, they have been linked to low levels of CoQ10.

CoQ10 is involved in making ATP or adenosine triphosphate which is involve in energy transfer 

within cells. If there is oxidative damage in the cells it interferes with the cells regular functions 

and can cause many health issues. CoQ10 being present in every cell of your body, highest 

concentrations are found in your organs such as the heart, kidney, lungs and liver which demands 

higher energy.

Even though CoQ10 is not regulated or approved by the FDA, plenty of studies and research have 

shown a wide range of health benefits. Here are some benefits of CoQ10.

CoQ10 could improve heart health by improving heart function, preventing oxidative damage, 

assist in restoring optimal levels of energy production by increasing the ATP production which 

could ultimately aid in the treatment or prevention of heart failure.

Your lungs have the most contact with oxygen, thus makes it susceptible to oxidative damage and 

CoQ10 can help protect your lungs and its functions, reduce inflammation that can result in 

diseases of the lungs.

CoQ10 is good for the brain. Because your brain has high fatty acid content and demands high 

oxygen levels, it is very susceptible to oxidative damage which is responsible for the production of 

harmful compounds that could affect your memory, cognition and physical functions. CoQ10 may 

reduce these harmful compounds and help protect the mitochondrial functions in the brain and 

possibly slow down mitochondrial dysfunction that can lead to progression of Alzheimer’s, 

Parkinson’s and other brain degenerative diseases.

CoQ10 plays a role in the protection and survival of the cell DNA which leads into prevention of 

cancer or reduce recurrence of cancer to those who have been treated. Some have shown that 

cancer patients have revealed lower levels of CoQ10. CoQ10 may protect your cells from oxidative 

damage by promoting cellular energy production and decreasing the risk of cancer.

When your body is exposed to oxidative stress, it can induce cell damage that can result in 

diseases like diabetes. CoQ10 has shown to regulate and improve blood sugar levels and improve 

insulin sensitivity. It can also help prevent diabetes by stimulating the breakdown of fats which 

reduces the accumulation of fat cells that could lead to obesity or type 2 diabetes.

CoQ10 can also help prevent and treat migraines due to being able to reduce inflammation and 

increase mitochondrial function during migraines.

Oxidative stress and damage can affect your muscle function and affects your exercise 

performance. CoQ10 can help by decreasing oxidative stress in your cells and improving its 

mitochondrial functions hence increasing power and reducing fatigue which can improve your 

exercise performance.

Your skin which is the largest organ in your body is widely exposed to damaging agents everyday 

and that can contribute to aging. By applying CoQ10 directly in your skin, it can increase energy 

production in your skin cells therefore reducing your skins damage from the sun and increasing 

its antioxidant protection.

Because CoQ10 has a great antioxidant property, it could help with fertility. As oxidative damage 

can affect the production and quality of eggs and sperm and may result in infertility, CoQ10 could 

help reduce the decline in the number and quality of eggs in women and help improve sperm 

quality in men.

CoQ10 can be found in foods like organ meats, muscle meats of pork, beef and chicken, fish like 

trout, herring, mackerel and sardine, in some vegetables like Spinach, cauliflower and broccoli, in 

a few fruits like oranges and strawberries, legumes like soybeans and lentils, brain-nourishing 

nuts and seeds such as peanuts, sesame seeds and pistachios and in a few oils such as soybean 

and canola oil. It can also be taken through dietary supplements for a more consistent dosage but 

both forms are well absorbed by the body.

A dosage of 100 to 200 mg seems to be the standard dose per day although higher doses doesn’t 

seem to pose any harm or serious side effects. Because CoQ10 is a fat – soluble compound the 

absorption is slow and limited, and so taking CoQ10 with food can help your body absorb it faster 

and better. To reap and see its benefits, continued use is recommended as your body doesn’t store 

CoQ10.

Although not all side effects are known it may include nausea, upset stomach, loss of appetite, 

vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash or low blood pressure and therefore we advise that you consult with 

your doctor if you have low or high blood pressure, nursing or pregnant, or taking any other 

dietary supplement or medication.

Overall, CoQ10 has a lot of good health benefits starting from helping your mitochondrial 

functions in your cell, cell preservation, production of cellular energy, being an antioxidant and 

helping protect your cells and other vital organs from oxidative damage that could lead to serious 

health problems. As you age and the reduction of CoQ10 increase in your body, it is good to 

consider consuming more food rich in CoQ10 content or take it as a supplement.

To know more studies, information and research about CoQ10 see link below:

Healthline

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coenzyme-q10

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