Coenzyme Q10: what is it and what is it for

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation is a very important ally for health, see its benefits in this post.

Coenzyme Q10 is a molecule that exists in our body and plays a key role in energy metabolism and in the antioxidant protection of our cells.

Also known as ubiquinone, this coenzyme is found in all of our body’s cells.

But mainly in cells that need a higher supply of energy, as is the case of muscle cells, especially heart and skeletal muscle.

Decreased levels of Q10 are associated with fatigue, lack of muscle strength and aging.

Functions:
The functions of Coenzyme Q10 are mainly at the level of mitochondria, the energy center of cells.

When we transform food and oxygen into energy (ATP).

The final part of this transformation depends on the presence of Coenzyme Q10, and without adequate levels of it.

Our cells are not capable of producing energy efficiently.

It is also in the mitochondria, during this energy production, that a high production of oxygen free radicals occurs.

This is where the presence of adequate levels of Q10 decreases the production of oxygen free radicals.

In addition, it has an antioxidant role in the regeneration of other antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E.

Sources of Vitamin Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is produced in our body, and in normal situations, this production is sufficient up to the age of 20, but with age the amounts of Q10 produced decrease.

This coenzyme can be consumed through food, especially through the consumption of meat and fish.

Signs of deficiency:
Given its role in energy metabolism, reduced levels of coenzyme Q10 are associated with fatigue and lack of muscle strength.

But given its antioxidant role, coenzyme Q10 symptoms are also associated with increased oxidative stress, ranging from premature aging to different degenerative pathologies.

Who may be deficient in vitamin B6?
Currently the greatest risk of Q10 deficiency is the consumption of a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol production, called “statins”.

The different statins (such as simvastatin and pravastatin, among others).

They block the action of the enzyme responsible for cholesterol production, but which is also responsible for the production of coenzyme Q10.

This means that when you block the production of cholesterol by taking statins, you are also blocking the production of coenzyme Q10.

This situation becomes even more worrying in view of the prolonged intake of this type of drug, especially by older people (who already have a reduced production of coenzyme Q10).

In these individuals, nutritional supplementation with Q10 may be necessary, in doses ranging from 30 to 200 mg/day.

Therapeutic functions of supplementation
Supplementation with coenzyme Q10 has shown beneficial effects in terms of improving muscle strength, physical endurance and even reducing fatigue.

In the case of individuals taking continuous statins, the beneficial effects are even more marked.