Known as “the body’s spark plug”, Coenzyme Q10 acts as a powerful antioxidant that plays a role in energy production and storage. It also neutralizes free radicals, preventing oxidative stress.
Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble quinone that is produced naturally by the body. It is vital for producing energy within cells. Although our bodies are able to produce this powerful antioxidant, it can be found in various foods and is also available as a health supplement.
- Contributes to energy production.
- The ‘spark-plug’ antioxidant.
- Benefits cardiovascular system.
- May reduce symptoms of statin-induced myopathy.
- May boost physical performance and endurance.
Suggested use: Take one capsule daily, or as directed by your Health Professional
Further information:
Ingredients and supplement facts: Co-Enzym Q10 100mg – This product contains 1000 mg of Co-Enzyme Q10 in the form of ubiquinone. CoQ10 is found in almost every cell in the body, and acts as a powerful antioxidant that fights damaging particles in the body known as free radicals.
Ubiquinol vs. Ubiquinone
In our bodies, Coenzyme Q10 exists either in its oxidized form, ubiquinone, or in its reduced form, ubiquinol. Coenzyme Q10 shifts back and forth between its ubiquinone and its ubiquinol form in a continuous cycle inside the body depending on the body’s need. In the blood and lymph, Coenzyme Q10 primarily serves as an antioxidant. While in the mitochondria, it supports the energy metabolism by switching between the two forms back and forth many times per second. This is all part of Coenzyme Q10’s role in biology.
When you take a Coenzyme Q10 supplement in the form of ubiquinol, it changes to ubiquinone and vice versa.
When ubiquinone (the oxidized form) is used by the body, it transforms and becomes ubiquinol. Likewise, ubiquinol (the reduced form) becomes ubiquinone when it carries out its role in the body. So, when you take a Coenzyme Q10 supplement in the form of ubiquinol, it changes to ubiquinone and vice versa depending on the body’s need for either. This indicates that the one form, when encapsulated is by no means more superior to the other.
To better understand how this works, we’ll look at Coenzyme Q10 and cellular-energy production.
Every cell in the body has its own powerhouse, the mitochondria. Here, energy production occurs and this is where Coenzyme Q10 is found. In the process of energy production, electrons are exchanged between electron acceptors and donors.
Coenzyme Q10 acts as an electron acceptor or donor in the chain of reactions that lead to energy production. When oxidized Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) accepts an electron from another molecule in the chain, it becomes reduced (ubiquinol). When reduced Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) donates an electron, it becomes oxidized (ubiquinone). Maintaining this balance is how your body most benefits from CoenzymeQ10.
Coenzyme Q10 is found in two forms:
Ubiquinol: The active antioxidant form.
Ubiquinone: The oxidized form.
In general, enzymes receive the necessary support from coenzymes in order to carry out their various biochemical functions. It is present in all cells of the body, and is vital contributor to generating energy within cells. Coenzyme Q10 exists in higher concentrations in organs that require the most energy such as the kidneys, muscles, liver, and heart.