Coenzyme Q10 Facts

Coenzyme Q10, also called coQ10 or ubiquinone, constitutes a vitamin-like substance important for human health. Mainly found in organ meats, studies indicate that the coQ10 content of grass-fed animals is ten times higher compared to grain-fed animals. Dr. Sears, in his book "The Doctor's Heart Cure," mentions that without eating wild game meat or organ meat from grass-fed animals, it is hard to maintain adequate levels of coenzyme Q10, which explains why some people turn to supplements.

Sources

CoQ10 is mainly found in meat and seafood. Cold-water fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, and organ meat, such as liver, are the best sources of coQ10. Supplements of coenzyme Q10 are also available. CoQ10 is also produced by the body and is found in larger quantities in the heart, liver, kidneys and pancreas, but these levels decrease with age and with the presence of chronic diseases such as heart disease, Parkinson's disease, cancer and diabetes.

Roles

Coenzyme Q10 has many important roles in the body. It is involved in the metabolism of energy, helping to produce adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, which constitute the cells' major energy source. CoQ10 is also required for protein synthesis and muscle contraction. In addition, its antioxidant properties help scavenge free radicals, which are molecules that negatively contribute to the development of heart disease as well as cancer. The antioxidant coQ10 is able to prevent some of the damage usually caused by these harmful free radicals.

Health Benefits

An adequate intake of coenzyme Q10, through foods or supplementation, is possibly helpful for conditions such as congestive heart failure, Huntington's disease, hypertension, migraines, Parkinson's disease, alterations of the immune system in patients with HIV/AIDS and muscle distrophy, according to MedlinePlus. However, more studies are needed for its use in the treatment of diabetes, breast cancer, male infertility, angina and fatigue.

Statins and Coenzyme Q10 Depletion

The body is able to synthesize both CoQ10 and cholesterol from a substance called mevalonate. Statins, a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs used by many Americans, reduce the ability of the body to produce cholesterol, which also results in a considerable decrease in the body's ability to produce coQ10 at the same time. This decrease has been shown to reach 40 percent, as reported in the March 1993 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Pharmacology."

Supplements

The recommended dose of coenzyme Q10 for adults age 19 years or older corresponds to 30 to 200 mg a day, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Soft gels are preferred over capsules or other preparations because of their higher absorption rates. Moreover, because coQ10 is fat-soluble, taking it with a meal containing fat will enhance its absorption. It is advised to inform your physician of any supplements you take, especially if you are on chemotherapy or take hypertensive drugs or blood thinners, as they may interact with coQ10.