CoQ10 Bioavailability, Formulation (Co-operation, Competition in the CoQ10 Market)

Ubiquitous in nature—found in every living organism—ubiquinone, also known as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), plays a number of important roles in the body. The lipid-soluble enzymatic cofactor plays a key role in cellular energy production, and its reduced form in the body, ubiquinol, is a potent lipophilic antioxidant that can both protect against oxidative damage and help regenerate other antioxidants. Perhaps the only thing more ubiquitous than its appearance is the ongoing controversy surrounding its health effects, bioavailability and quality.

CoQ10 was discovered by Frederick L. Crane, Ph.D., at the University of Wisconsin in the late 1950s during his research on the biochemistry of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Crane isolated the pure substance from beef heart mitochondria, and sent it to Karl Folkers, Ph.D., at Merck for identification and elucidation of its structure. It was designated coenzyme Q10 because of its quinone structure and the ten isoprene unit side chain. During the same time period, English scientists isolated the same substance from mitochondria and named it ubiquinone because of its widespread occurrence in nature.

From its discovery, scientists looked into its role in cellular energy, longevity and the health of such organs as the heart, kidneys and liver. In fact, CoQ10 is responsible for 95 percent of energy expenditure in some areas of cells. Unfortunately, the body’s production of CoQ10 diminishes with age. Young and healthy individuals produce about 300 mg/d of CoQ10, but production levels decline rapidly after age 30.

At the metabolic level, CoQ10 plays an important role in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the form of energy used by the cells, from carbohydrates and fats. Information from the Linus Pauling Institute (LPI) at Oregon State University noted CoQ10 works as part of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, shuttling fatty acids, glucose molecules and protons across the mitochondrial membrane to release energy to produce ATP. In addition, CoQ10 as ubiquinol is an important cellular antioxidant. LPI’s team stated ubiquinol may inhibit lipid peroxidation, neutralize free radicals and regenerate alpha-tocopherol.

“The CoQ10 molecule has the ability to cycle easily back and forth between the oxidized and reduced forms, and it is this cycling that is essential in enabling the compound to function as an electron carrier,” said Robin Koon, senior vice president, Best Formulations. “Within the cell, CoQ10 (as a redox pair) exists in a 50/50 state between ubiquinone and ubiquinol, in its primary role of making energy. However, when CoQ10 is in blood circulation, waiting to be taken up by individual cells, it exists mostly in the reduced state and is attached to low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In this circulating state, it also acts as an antioxidant.”

Animal products such as beef, pork and chicken are relatively good dietary sources of CoQ10. Organ meats such as heart and muscle are the best sources. As a general rule, tissues with high energy demands contain relatively high amounts of CoQ10. Among foods of plant origin, broccoli and spinach contain significant amounts of CoQ10. Unrefined vegetable oils, such as soybean oil and palm oil, are also good sources of CoQ10. However, it would be impractical to produce industrial quantities of CoQ10 from beef hearts, for example. Instead, CoQ10 is produced by bacterial fermentation or a combination of partial fermentation and synthesis using a chemical called solanesol.

Health Effects

One of the most active areas of research for CoQ10 is in the area of heart health. Because CoQ10 works to prevent oxidation of cholesterol, particularly LDL cholesterol, it may help prevent the onset of atherosclerosis. Indian researchers noted administration of 3 mg/kg/d of CoQ10 (Q-Gel®, from Tishcon) in rabbits with high trans fat levels helped limit oxidative damage and atherosclerosis development.¹ Supplementing with a combination of CoQ10 and alpha-tocopherol has been shown to increase plasma levels of vitamin E and beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol,² and reduce atherosclerosis at the aortic root and descending thoracic aorta.³