Coenzyme Q10 is generally abbreviated as  CoQ10, and its function is to help cells produce energy. Your body naturally produces CoQ10, but its production declines as you age. Fortunately, you can also get CoQ10 from supplements and foods.

Health conditions such as heart disease, brain disease, diabetes and cancer are associated with low levels of coenzyme Q10. It is not clear whether low CoQ10 levels cause these illnesses or are a result of them. Numerous studies have demonstrated the wide range of COQ10 benefits.

Here’s everything you need to know about coenzyme Q10.

What is coenzyme Q10?

CoQ10 is a compound made by the body and stored in the mitochondria of cells. Mitochondria’s main job is the production of energy in cells and transfer it to the entire body in the form of ATP.. It also protects cells from bacteria and viruses that cause oxidative damage and disease. Coenzyme Q10 production decreases with age. Therefore, older people seem to be deficient in this compound. 

Other causes of CoQ10 deficiency are:

• Nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B6 deficiency
• Genetic defects in CoQ10 synthesis or utilization
• Increased demand for tissue as a result of illness
• Mitochondrial disease
• Oxidative stress due to aging
• Side effects of statin treatment

After conducting multiple researches, it has been found that CoQ10 plays several important roles in the body. Like generating energy within cells, also it is involved in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), whose function to transfer intracellular energy. Its other important role is to act as an antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative damage. Excessive amounts of free radicals can cause oxidative damage and impair normal cell function, further leading to many health problems.

Given that ATP is used to perform all bodily functions and that oxidative damage destroys cells, it’s not surprising that several chronic diseases are associated with low levels of CoQ10. Since every cell in the body needs energy, automatically CoQ10 resides in every single cell, since it is involved in the generation of energy. Moreover, places where COQ10 is found in maximum concentrations are heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver.

Some of the major COQ10 benefits on humans are:

Helps treat heart failure

Heart failure is often the result of other heart conditions, such as: B. Coronary artery disease or hypertension. These conditions can lead to oxidative damage and increased inflammation in veins and arteries. Heart failure occurs when these problems affect the heart so much that it cannot contract, relax, or pump blood throughout the body on a regular basis.

Worse, some heart failure treatments have unwanted side effects, such as hypotension, and other treatments can further reduce CoQ10 levels. It helps in recovery, reduces oxidative damage, and improves heart function, all of which may help manage heart failure. 

May help infertility treatment

A woman’s fertility declines with age because the number and quality of available eggs decrease, and COQ10 is known to be directly involved in this particular process. As we age, CoQ10 production slows down, making the body less effective at protecting the egg from oxidative damage. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation may ameliorate this age-related decline in egg quality and quantity. Similarly, male sperm are susceptible to oxidative damage, which can lead to low sperm count, poor sperm quality and infertility. Several studies have concluded that CoQ10 supplementation may improve sperm quality, activity, and concentration by increasing antioxidant protection.

Helps keep skin youthful

Your skin is your body’s largest organ and is widely exposed to toxins that contribute to aging. These agents can be internal or external. Some internal detrimental factors include cell damage and hormonal imbalances. External factors such as environmental factor, which precisely incudes harmful UV radiation. Harmful factors can lead to decreased skin hydration and protection from environmental aggressors, and thinning of skin layers.

Applying CoQ10 directly to the skin can reduce internal and external damage by increasing skin cell energy production and promoting antioxidant protection. In fact, applying CoQ10 directly to the skin has been shown to reduce UV-induced oxidative damage and even reduce the depth of wrinkles.

Finally, people with low CoQ10 levels seem to be more likely to develop skin cancer. 

Can reduce headaches

Abnormal mitochondrial function can lead to increased calcium uptake by cells, excessive free radical production, and reduced antioxidant protection.This can lead to decreased brain cell energy levels and even migraines.

Coenzyme Q10 mainly resides in mitochondria, which is the power house of cells.  It has been found that COQ10 helps in improving mitochondrial function along with reducing inflammation that comes with migraines. In fact, one study showed that coenzyme Q10 supplementation was three times more likely than placebo to reduce the number of migraines in 42 people. Additionally, CoQ10 deficiency has been observed in migraine patients.

May work for diabetes

Oxidative stress can cause cell damage and this can further lead to metabolic disease likediabetes. Abnormal mitochondrial function is also associated with insulin resistance. Studies proves that CoQ10 improves insulin sensitivity, thus helps in regulating blood sugar levels.

CoQ10 supplementation can also help boost blood CoQ10 levels up to 3-fold in diabetics who typically have low levels of this compound. In one study, people with type 2 diabetes were supplemented with coenzyme Q10 for 12 weeks. This significantly lowered fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C, the average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months. Finally, CoQ10 helps prevent diabetes by stimulating the breakdown of fat and reducing fat cell accumulation, which can lead to obesity and her type 2 diabetes. Likewise, there are many other benefits that you too can experience, but it is also important to consult your doctor first, incase you are having any preexisting disease. 

Summary

CoQ10 is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like compound that appears to have many health benefits. It is involved in the production of cellular energy, in addition ti this it also acts as an antioxidant. These properties help maintain cells and prevent and treat some chronic diseases. CoQ10 has been shown to help improve heart health, regulate blood sugar, help prevent and treat cancer, and reduce migraine frequency. It can also reduce oxidative damage that leads to muscle fatigue, skin damage, and brain and lung disease. CoQ10 can be found as a dietary supplement that appears to be well tolerated.It is also found in some foods such as animal organs, vegetables and legumes.

Coenzyme Q10 production declines with age, so adults of all ages can benefit more. Whether you eat more foods high in CoQ10 or take supplements, there are enormous CoQ10 benefits on your health.