Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble substance in the human body. It is also referred to as CoQ10, which is the short form.
CoQ10 is produced naturally by the body. It plays a critical role in optimal body functions like making energy, protecting your cells, and enhancing heart health. It is stored mainly within the cell in an organelle called the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the energy production house of the cell.
CoQ10 is a great antioxidant and helps to protect cells in various ways by neutralizing the free radicals in the body.
What Are Free Radicals and Antioxidants?
What are free radicals?
Free radicals are actually oxygen molecules that are unusually active because they have an odd number of electrons in them. This makes the electron react freely to entities that come near it. The scientific term for it is free radicals and they often lead to cell damage.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants, like CoQ10, stabilize the free radicals by donating an electron to them without losing any stability themselves. The extra electron balances the molecule and makes them less reactive.
How do free radicals harm the body?
When there are more free radicals than antioxidants in the body, it leads to an imbalance. Free radicals, with nothing keeping them in check, start to wreck damage to your DNA, fatty tissue, proteins, etc. Chronic damage by free radicals can lead to serious issues like cancer, heart conditions, inflammatory conditions, high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, etc.
What are the best sources of antioxidants?
It is always good practice to load up on antioxidants whenever you get a chance. Some great food sources are citrus fruits, cherries, prunes, berries, tomatoes, broccoli, olives, green leafy vegetables, carrots, onions, garlic, etc. Additionally, dietary sources like turmeric, cinnamon, nuts, fish, coffee, green tea, and dark chocolate can also help you be on top of your antioxidant game.
Apart from dietary choices, certain steps like exercising regularly, and getting the right amount of sleep are associated with increasing the natural antioxidant levels in the human body.
Why Is CoQ10 The Most Important Antioxidant In The Body?
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is the most efficient antioxidant in your body. Several studies have shown that a deficiency of CoQ10 results in increased inflammation.
CoQ10 converts the energy from carbohydrates into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Most of the usable form of energy in the body is stored as ATP. Hence ATP fuels vital body functions which maintain overall good metabolism in the body.
CoQ10 is present more in cells that are near organs that require and utilize more energy, like the brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidney, etc. These are also the organs that get affected the most by free radicals and oxidation. CoQ10’s close proximity to these organs and the chemical reactions that take place due to the radicals, make it the go-to antioxidant for the human body.
People who have chronic kidney conditions have been shown to have decreased coenzyme Q10 levels in the body. They are usually treated with CoQ10 supplements due to their antioxidant characteristics which will be useful to treat oxidative stress.
CoQ10 supplements
CoQ10 is naturally produced in the body. However, as you age the CoQ10 levels deplete. Other factors like taking statins, and health conditions like cardiovascular disease and degenerative muscle disorders can also cause CoQ10 levels to deplete. In such cases taking CoQ10 supplements can help you replenish your levels naturally.
Recommended daily intake of CoQ10 ranges from 100 mg to 1200 mg per day depending on how much you need it.
What Are The Benefits Of Taking CoQ10 Supplements?
Mayo Clinic has explained the benefits of taking CoQ10 supplements on a daily basis. These benefits include helping with the treatment of several health conditions like:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol, diabetes
- Heart failure
- Cancer and chemotherapy treatments
- AIDS
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Migraine
- Infertility
CoQ10 supplements are usually taken in the form of ubiquinol, which is the reduced or active form of CoQ10.
Takeaway
Coenzyme Q10 is a very good antioxidant. It helps protect the human body and its cells in different ways. It is present in huge quantities and is more efficient than the other antioxidants in the body.
As an antioxidant, CoQ10 is very useful to prevent damage and inflammation caused by free radicals. It further helps in neutralizing the free radicals in the body.
Doctors usually prescribe CoQ10 supplements for any issues in the brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidney, as its antioxidant properties tend to be useful in treating the oxidative stress that arises around the organs.
While CoQ10 supplements come in different forms and are available as over-the-counter medicines, it is best to check with your doctor once and then take the dosage that is prescribed for you.
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324113?c=617904788927#health-benefits
https://www.healthline.com/health/oxidative-stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482888/
