CoQ10

Coenzyme Q10 is a compound that helps generate cellular energy. Your body produces CoQ10 naturally, but the production levels start to decrease with age. Luckily enough you can get CoQ10 through supplements. Health conditions like heart disease, brain disorders, diabetes and cancer have correlations with low levels of CoQ10.

What is CoQ10? 

It is a compound made by your body and stored in the mitochondria of your cells. The mitochondria are the energy producers of cells, not only this but they protect cells from oxidative damage and disease causing bacteria. 

Causes of CoQ10 deficiency include: 

  • Nutritional deficiencies. 
  • Genetic defects. 
  • Increased demands by tissues as a consequence of disease. 
  • Mitochondrial diseases. 
  • Oxidative stress due to ageing. 

Main benefits of CoQ10: 

1. May help treat Heart Failure;  

In a study of 420 people with heart failure, treatment with CoQ10 for two years improved their symptoms and reduced their risk of dying from heart problems . 

CoQ10 seems to help treat heart failure by improving heart function, increasing ATP production and limiting oxidative damage. 

2. It could help with Fertility; 

CoQ10 production slows as we age, making the body less effective at protecting eggs from oxidative damage. Supplementing CoQ10 helps and may even reverse this age related decline in the quality and quantity of eggs. 

The Antioxidant properties of CoQ10 could help improve sperm quality and reduce the decline in the number and quality of eggs in women. 

3. It may help protect your skin; 

People with low levels of CoQ10 seem to be more likely to develop skin cancer.

When applied directly to the skin it can reduce sun damage and increase antioxidant protection. It may also help decrease the risk of skin cancer. 

4. It could reduce headaches; 

Abnormal mitochondrial function can lead to increased calcium uptake by the cells. This can then lead to excessive production of free radicals and decreased antioxidant protection. Resulting in low energy in your brain cells. A deficiency in CoQ10 has been observed in people suffering from migraines. A study with 1,550 people with low CoQ10 levels experienced fewer and less severe headaches after treatment with CoQ10. Supplementing with CoQ10 helps prevent and treat migraines, increases mitochondrial function and reduces inflammation in the brain. 

5. It could help with exercise performance; 

Oxidative stress can affect muscle function. Abnormal mitochondrial function can reduce muscular energy, proving it to be difficult for the muscles to contract efficiently and sustain exercise. CoQ10 decreases oxidative stress in the cells and improves mitochondrial functions. 

6. It could help with Diabetes; 

CoQ10 has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels. People with diabetes are typically low in levels of CoQ10, supplementing can increase the concentration of CoQ10 by up to 3 times.

7. It may help prevent cancer; 

Oxidative stress can cause cell damage and the ability to function. If your body can’t fight oxidative damage, your cells become damaged and this increase the risk of cancer. CoQ10 may protect the cells from oxidative stress and promote cellular energy production. Cancer patients typically show lower levels of CoQ10. 

8. It is good for the brain; 

Mitochondria are the main energy providers of brain cells. Their function tends to decrease with age. Total dysfunction can lead to death of brain cells and diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The brain has a high demand for oxygen and has a high fatty acid content, therefore is extremely susceptible to oxidative damage. This enhances the production of harmful compounds that can affect cognition, memory and physical functions. CoQ10 may reduce these harmful compounds and slow the progression of mental diseases. 

9. CoQ10 could protect the lungs; 

Your lungs have the most contact with oxygen making them extremely susceptible to oxidative damage. Increased oxidative damage and poor antioxidant protection such as low levels of CoQ10 can result in lung diseases like asthma and COPD. CoQ10 can reduce oxidative damage and inflammation that results in diseases of the lungs.

1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24389208

2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25126052/

3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23065343/

4 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25282031/

5 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26111777/

6 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16443053/

7 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24331360/

8 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17355497/

9 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11375753/

10 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17492503/

11 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24586567/

12 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10416046/

13 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21467235/

14 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9974149/

15 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20702843/

16 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16289557/