CoQ10 or coenzyme Q10 is a natural substance found throughout your body with the highest levels in the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. It is also referred to as CoQ, Ubiquinone, or Vitamin Q10.
How vital is CoQ10 for your body?
The primary use of CoQ10 in the body is for energy production. Energy is stored and transferred within the body through adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (reminded of 10th-class biology yet?). ATP is produced from a complex biochemical reaction called the electron transport chain. CoQ10 is a molecule that is essential for activating a critical enzyme in the electron transport chain.
Since ATP is the energy source for all metabolic processes in the body, CoQ10 directly impacts all metabolic pathways, consequently, the health of all the organs in your body.
That’s how vital CoQ10 is for your body.
CoQ10 as an antioxidant
CoQ10 is also a potent antioxidant. It helps prevent damage caused by highly reactive chemical species called free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to the DNA, cell membrane, and protein structure. Excess free radicals are specially produced in heart, kidney, and liver diseases.
CoQ10 helps prevent the formation of free radicals, thereby protecting the body from diseases of vital organs.
Please comment below if you want to understand the fascinating biology behind how free radicals are produced.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3178961/
