Coenzyme Q10

Question 1

Coenzyme Q10

Answer 1

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is present in each cell’s mitochondria and plays akey role in ATP production.
* CoQ10 is also known as ubiquinone.
* It exists in the body in an oxidised form (ubiquinone) and a reduced form
ubiquinol) and the two forms interconvert.
* It is usually synthesised in the body in sufficient amounts to meet physiological requirements.
* CoQ10 is reduced by: Ageing, drugs
(e.g. statins), smoking and certain diseases (e.g. cardiovascular disease).

Question 2

Coenzyme Q10: Dietary Intake

Answer 2

Dietary intake contributes around 3 to 6 mg per day
Approximately 14-32% of CoQ10 is lost if foods are fried

Question 3

CoQ10: Food Sources

Answer 3

• Plant sources: Nuts (e.g. peanuts,
  pistachios ), sesame seeds, olive oil, fruit and vegetables including oranges, strawberries, avocado, broccoli, cauliflower
• Animal sources: Meat, poultry, fish (e.g. herring, sardines, mackerel, trout) and eggs .

Question 4

CoQ10: Functions

Answer 4

Energy Production
Antioxidant
Periodontal health
Male and female fertility
Cardivascular health

Question 5

CoQ10: Energy Production Functions

Answer 5

• CoQ10 is needed for the electron transport chain (for complex 2 of 4 in this process). This supports mitochondrial function and energy production.
• The highest quantities are found in
  muscle cells (including skeletal and
  cardiac muscle) due to the high ATP
  demand for muscle contraction.

Question 6

CoQ10: Energy Production Therapeutic Uses

Answer 6

• Fatigue.
• Fibromyalgia:
  Daily use (300 mg in divided doses;
  i.e. 3 x 100 mg per day).

Question 7

CoQ10: Antioxidant Functions

Answer 7

• CoQ10 is a potent fat soluble
  antioxidant that inhibits the peroxidation of cell membrane lipids. It neutralises free radicals produced by mitochondria.
• CoQ10 naturally decreases with age; the ageing process involves ROS and impaired mitochondrial function.
• Depletion of CoQ10 can result in
  mitochondrial dysfunction , which is
  associated with conditions including
  fibromyalgia, Type 2 diabetes, CVD,
  neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

Question 8

CoQ10: Antioxidant Therapeutic Uses

Answer 8

• Healthy ageing: 100-200 mg per day.
• Preventative measures or for directly addressing mitochondrial dysfunction (e.g. fibromyalgia etc.)

Question 9

CoQ10: Periodontal Health Functions

Answer 9

• Diseased gum tissues have significantly lower levels of CoQ10 in comparison with healthy gum tissue. This is thought to be a result of the lipopolysaccharides from the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, triggering oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Question 10

CoQ10: Periodontal Health Therapeutic Uses

Answer 10

• Periodontitis.
  Daily 50 80 mg
• Combine with periodontal care
  routine.

Question 11

CoQ10: Male and Female Fertility Functions

Answer 11

• CoQ10 protects sperm from oxidative stress (to which they are vulnerable).
• Impaired mitochondrial performance
  (low CoQ10) can drive age associated oocyte (egg cell) deficits -> infertility.

Question 12

CoQ10: Male and Female Fertility Therapeutic Uses

Answer 12

• 200-300 mg for 6 months increases
  sperm health.
• 100-600 mg for ovarian health.

Question 13

CoQ10: Cardiovascular Health Functions

Answer 13

• Crucial for cardiac muscle function.
• Protects against endothelial
  dysfunction and hence
  atherosclerosis.
• CoQ10 reduces LDL oxidation
• It inhibits the NF kB activation that is secondary to ROS.
• Increases superoxide dismutase
  activity (an anti oxidant) which is known to preserve the activity of nitric oxide (NO) as a potent vasodilator.

Question 14

CoQ10: Cardiovascular Health Therapeutic Uses

Answer 14

• Hypertension, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, post myocardial infarction.
• Typical dosage: 60-300 mg / day.

Question 15

Statins and CoQ10

Answer 15

• Statins are drugs used to reduce cholesterol synthesis but they also reduce CoQ10 because both
  compoundsare synthesised via the same pathway.
• Cholesterol and CoQ10 have vital functions in the body and their loss contributes to the adverse effects caused by statins.
• Low CoQ10 levels increase the risk of various illnesses including cardiovascular disease, myopathy and depression.
• 90-300 mg / day of CoQ10 greatly
  reduces this risk.

Question 16

The Mevalonate Pathway

Answer 16

• This metabolic pathway is required for the production of cholesterol and CoQ10 two crucial molecules for health.
• Statins act on this pathway as seen on the image.

Question 17

Ubiquinol vs Ubiquinone

Answer 17

It is suggested that ubiquinol is a better supplemental form for CoQ10 status enhancement than ubiquinone. However:
* Results are mixed with very little research supporting this claim.
* Bioavailability is influenced more by the composition of the raw material, which for supplemental purposes is generally synthesised using a yeast fermentation method.
* This produces a crystalline form which is difficult to digest.
* The crystals needs to be dissociated into individual CoQ10 molecules and remain in the shelf life of the product.
* Thus solubilised products appear to have the greatest bioavailability.

Question 18

CoQ10 Safety

Answer 18

CoQ10 has a remarkable safety profile. There have been no reports of significant adverse side effects
of oral CoQ10 supplementation at doses as high as 1200 mg / day for up to 16 months. There have been no safety studies in pregnant and lactating women.

Question 19

CoQ10 Mild adverse effects

Answer 19

GIT symptoms such as nausea,
diarrhoea, appetite suppression, heartburn, and abdominal discomfort have been reported. These may be minimised if daily doses higher than 100 mg are divided into two or three doses.

Question 20

CoQ10 Interactions

Answer 20

CoQ10 may decrease the effects of warfarin.