Coenzyme Q10, or coQ10, is a fat-soluble compound found in the mitochondria of every cell of the body to produce energy, and it assists other enzymes to do their jobs, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. People eat foods high in coQ10 to obtain potential health benefits of improving cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, congestive heart health and athletic performance. These health benefits have not been well proven in research to make strong health claims, but they appear to be of benefit. CoQ10 is found in a variety of foods but is particularly higher in some foods.
Beef
Beef has the highest amount of coQ10 of any food source. A 3-ounce serving of fried beef has 2.6 milligrams of coQ10, according to a study in the 1986 "International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research." The liver, muscle and heart of the cow have the greatest amounts. The 1970 "International Journal for Nutrition Research" found that patients with heart disease were deficient in coQ10 in their hearts. This is where the idea started to use coQ10 in the treatment of heart disease.
Chicken
Chicken is another source of coQ10. A 3-ounce serving of chicken contains 1.4 mg of coQ10, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Cooking or frying chicken does not appear to affect the amount of coQ10 in it. Plasma levels of coQ10 have been found to be low in diabetic patients, according to the 1996 "International Journal of Clinical Chemistry." However, supporting research needs more strength before recommendations can be made to supplement with coQ10.
Oils
Canola and soybean oils contain some coQ10. Canola oil contains 1 mg and soybean oil 1.3 mg. Fruits, vegetables, dairy and eggs are moderate sources of coQ10, but 14 to 32 percent of the coQ10 is lost during frying, which further limits the coQ10 presence, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. A supplement of coQ10 may be needed, especially in people who do not eat beef or chicken. Doing so should be done under the supervision of a physician.
References
- Oregon State University: Linus Pauling Institute: Coenzyme Q10.
- "International Journal of Vitamin Research"; The Distribution and Content of Ubiquinone in Foods; Kamei; 1986.
- "International Journal for Vitamin Research"; Evidence for a Deficiency of Coenzyme Q10 in Human Heart Disease
- "International Journal of Clinical Chemistry.";Plasma Ubiquinol/Cholesterol Ratios in Patients with Hyperlipidaemia, Those with Diabetes Mellitus and in Patients Requiring Dialysis; McDonnell, et al.; 1996.
