Coenzyme Q, CoQ is found in the cells of all living organisms comprising both plants and animals including humans. The amount of CoQ found in plants and animals varies between each species depending on the structure of the CoQ. Humans have CoQ10 because it has 10 isoprene units.
A Coenzyme is a substance which enhances the role of an enzyme. An enzyme is a biomolecule that catalyze (i.e. accelerate) the rates of chemical reactions. The role of CoQ10 is to generate energy by transporting protons and electrons from one bioenergy enzyme to another.
Meaning CoQ10 is also a powerful antioxidant. The bioenergy enzymes, in turn, use sugar from foods to generate adenosine triphosphate, ATP creating cellular energy. This energy is then used by the body for all the processes needed for day to day living and life.
In humans, CoQ10 is found in largest amounts in the organs which produce the highest amounts of energy, the heart, liver, kidneys, and the pancreas. Although it should be remembered CoQ10 is found in all cells (except red blood cells and eye cells) in all organs within the human body.
CoQ10 is thought to be derived from biosynthesis within the human body as well as dietary sources. The biosynthesis of CoQ10 is a complex procedure needing at least 15 different chemical reactions each needing an enzyme as well as several cofactor substances including but not limited to vitamins B-3, B-5, B-6, B12, C, and folate.
It is easy to see if you are lacking the necessary enzymes and/or the cofactors your body will not make sufficient CoQ10. This is where the dietary sources are important.
The main sources of a typical human diet are meat, fish, wheat germ and rice bran. Vegetables generally tend to have low levels of CoQ10, however, spinach, broccoli, and green beans are good sources.
As you get older your bodies make less CoQ10, and your body becomes less efficient at converting the ubiquinone form of CoQ10 to the more usable form of CoQ10 ubiquinol.
As CoQ10 is so important in the role of producing energy for your body to use, it is obvious if you are not obtaining enough from your diet or your body cannot manufacture enough you may be suffering from conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome CFS, myalgic encephalomyelitis ME, fibromyalgia.
Because CoQ10 is found in all cells and therefore all organs it may be partly responsible for a range of disease like but not exclusive to, heart disease, angina, heart failure, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, obesity.
Supplementing with CoQ10 is an ideal way to increase your levels of this important coenzyme. CoQ10 supplements are available in two forms the standard CoQ10 known as ubiquinone and the reduced form ubiquinol which has more bioavailability.
Your body converts ubiquinone to ubiquinol meaning it is easier for the cells to absorb the CoQ10 more efficiently.
By taking ubiquinol supplements rather than the standard CoQ10 you will ensure your body gets enough CoQ10.
Because CoQ10 is fat soluble whichever type of supplement you take it is best taken with food at meal times. Some CoQ10 supplements already have added cofactors within them which will enhance the bioavailability of the CoQ10 like vitamin E, Bioperine and omega 3, this is more typical on the ubiquinone CoQ10 supplement.
