What Food Is Coenzyme Q10 In?

Coenzyme Q-10 is a naturally occurring, vitamin-like compound that's found in all living things. According to the Reader's Digest Guide to Drugs and Supplements, coenzyme Q-10 is one of the most-used dietary supplements in the world in 2011. Meats and nuts are among the foods that are highest in this enzyme.

Function

Coenzyme Q-10 is found naturally in the body, and it's needed for your cells to function properly. In the body, coenzyme Q-10 functions as both a vitamin and an antioxidant. It is often used to help prevent and treat certain cancers. It can also be used to help treat heart conditions such as congestive heart failure, chest pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, gum disease, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, chronic fatigue syndrome and other diseases related to free radical damage. In cells, coenzyme Q-10 helps to make energy in the form of ATP. Because of this, coenzyme Q-10 may be able to boost your metabolism, increase your energy levels and improve your exercise tolerance.

Recommendations

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it is recommended that adults over the age of 18 consume 30 to 200 mg of coenzyme Q-10 each day. Because there is insufficient evidence regarding its use in children, coenzyme Q-10 supplementation is not recommended for those under the age of 18 without a doctor's approval.

Coenzyme Q-10 in Food

According to the Linus Pauling Institute, most people consume less than 10 mg of coenzyme Q-10 from food each day. Meats, poultry, fish, soybean oil, canola oil and nuts are good sources of coenzyme Q-10. A 3 oz. serving of fried beef provides 2.6 mg of coenzyme Q-10. It can also be found in lesser amounts in foods such as strawberries, oranges, cauliflower and broccoli. These all contain 0.1 to 0.5 mg of coenzyme Q-10 per half-cup serving.

Coenzyme Q-10 Supplements

While coenzyme Q-10 can be found naturally in the diet, it is also available in supplement form. Because it is a fat-soluble compound, coenzyme Q-10 is best absorbed by the body when taken with foods containing fat. It is important to meet with a doctor before taking coenzyme Q-10 supplements. Coenzyme Q-10 may affect how your body uses other medications. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking blood pressure medications, blood thinners or cholesterol-lowering medications prior to using coenzyme Q-10 supplements.