Coenzyme Q10 - Age-Defying Elixir

Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, is a fat-soluble chemical compound that belongs to the group of quinones. It also belongs to the same group of compounds as vitamin K. Other names for this coenzyme are ubiquinone and vitamin Q10. This crucial component is synthesized in the body and primarily performs functions related to cellular respiration. Its highest concentration occurs in metabolically active organs such as the heart, liver, pancreas, and kidneys, and the lowest in the lungs. The name Q10 refers to the quinones from which it originates, and 10 stands for the ten isoprenoid groups found in its structure.

Therefore, coenzyme Q10 plays a crucial role as a co-coding factor in the process of electron transport in the mitochondrial membranes, thereby making it possible to convert carbohydrates and fatty acids into adenosine-5-trifosforan (ATP). Coenzyme Q10 is a co-coding factor that is essential for every process that occurs in the cell, as ATP is a selective cellular process that is constantly being charged in the energy centers of the cell. Coenzyme Q10 is also a highly effective cellular antioxidant that protects cells from aging and the development of civilization diseases.

Coenzyme Q10 was first detected in 1957 by Crane, who extracted it from the mitochondria of cow's heart. Shortly afterwards, the use of coenzyme Q10 caught the attention of the scientific community, as it was found that cancer patients had a reduced level of it in their blood. Studies have shown that coenzyme Q10 can affect cell growth and that substances similar to it can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in cell lines and in laboratory animals. Furthermore, the level of coenzyme Q10 in the blood may also have an impact on the prognosis of certain types of cancer. Promising results also suggest that coenzyme Q10 may have protective properties in cancer patients treated with doxorubicin, a drug known for its high cardiotoxicity. In this case, supplementation with coenzyme Q10 may reduce the risk. In dermatology and cosmetics, coenzyme Q10 is also very popular due to its ability to improve the condition of the skin. Oxidative stress, which can be increased in keratinocytes, for example, due to an unhealthy lifestyle and UV exposure, can be compensated by supplementing with coenzyme Q10 or using cosmetics containing this ingredient.

Factors that decrease the level of coenzyme Q10 in the body include genetic mutations, aging process, diseases such as cancer, medications like statins and blood glucose-lowering drugs (glibenclamide, tolazamide), chronic psychological stress, addiction, and unhealthy diet. The older a person gets, the less efficient the synthesis of coenzyme Q10 becomes, while its demand increases. Moreover, vitamin deficiencies and unhealthy diet can also decrease the availability of coenzyme Q10. Mevalonate is a crucial precursor for the synthesis of coenzyme Q10 and cholesterol, so statins can reduce its availability. A congenital deficiency of coenzyme Q10 is a rare genetic disorder that causes mutations in the genes that code for the enzyme Q10 - the COQ genes.

The estimated content of coenzyme Q10 in the body is approximately 2 grams, of which 0.5 grams must be replaced daily through internal synthesis or supplied with food. However, the richest sources of coenzyme Q10 are meat and fish, as these products contain cells with a high amount of mitochondria and fat. Coenzyme Q10 is well soluble in fats. In plant-derived products, oils belonging to the family of butterflies and cruciferous plants also have a considerable amount of coenzyme Q10. Peanuts also contain a moderate amount of coenzyme Q10. The content of coenzyme Q10 in food products may vary depending on cultivation methods and geographical latitude, particularly in plant-derived products. Among people living in developed countries, the intake of coenzyme Q10 from the diet is about 3 to 6 milligrams per day and mainly comes from meat products. However, such intake is not sufficient to compensate for the natural loss of coenzyme Q10 with age. Moreover, foods rich in coenzyme Q10, such as meat and offal, should not be consumed in large quantities. Table 1 shows the content of coenzyme Q10 in selected food products. Source: Pravst I. et al., Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2010. With the advent of the idea of functional foods, methods have been developed to enrich food products with coenzyme Q10. However, due to its chemical properties, this is not easy. These methods include adding coenzyme Q10 during food processing, enriching animal feed with coenzyme Q10, and using genetically modified plants with a high content of coenzyme Q10.

As long as coenzyme Q10 synthesis in the body occurs normally, food sources are not significant. However, when the body ages or is affected by factors that decrease its synthesis, it becomes necessary to provide Q10 from external sources. The amount of coenzyme Q10 provided with food is not sufficient to increase its levels in the blood, so supplementation at 100 mg per day is recommended for this purpose. Research has shown that such supplementation can increase the level of Q10 in blood by 2 g/ml or more. Coenzyme Q10 is widely used as a dietary supplement and is also very safe. This has been confirmed in many controlled studies. It is important to note that coenzyme Q10 supplementation can reduce the response to anticoagulant drugs such as Warfarin and decrease the insulin requirement in diabetics.