What is coenzyme Q10? The unknown quantity

Veröffentlicht am: October 08, 2024

Nutritionist and dietician

What is coenzyme Q10?

The coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) ensures that our cells are supplied with oxygen and thus energy is produced for the body.

Coenzymes support enzymes by taking on specific tasks in biochemical processes. Well-known coenzymes are "ATP", which is also known as an energy carrier. Also ascorbic acid, which is primarily known under the name "vitamin C".

What are enzymes?

In simple terms, these are substances that control biochemical processes. Everything that happens in our bodies - from digestion to the replication of genetic information - takes place with the help of enzymes. They trigger and accelerate chemical reactions - which is why they are also referred to as "biocatalysts". As such, they play a crucial role in ensuring that our body functions as it should.

How exactly does coenzyme Q10 work?

Although coenzyme Q10 (or ubiquinone) is not so well known, it is one of the most important substances in the human body. As a chemical "mediator", it is an important component of the respiratory chain, i.e. the production of energy through the combustion of oxygen that we breathe in.

This means that without coenzyme Q10, the mitochondria - the small power plants in our cells - would not be able to produce any energy. And then basically nothing would work: no muscle activity, no nerve activity, no cell regeneration processes, no immune reactions.

Coenzyme Q 10 is therefore partly responsible for ensuring that we literally do not run out of energy. But it does even more.

How does natural coenzyme Q 10 protect our body?

Energy production through oxygen combustion is by far the most efficient (in contrast to fermentation or photosynthesis, for example); however, it has one serious disadvantage: the formation of "free radicals", aggressive oxygen compounds that can damage or even destroy cell nuclei and other biological structures.

To prevent this, we need so-called "antioxidants" - substances that neutralize free radicals and render them harmless.

Examples of antioxidants are vitamin C or vitamin E, but also secondary plant substances such as anthocyanins from red wine or catechins from green tea.

However, one of the most important antioxidants is coenzyme Q10, which not only helps to effectively combat free radicals, but also to regenerate vitamin E, which is so important for detoxifying the body.

Coenzyme Q10: A natural active ingredient, also against cell ageing

The cell protection function of coenzyme Q 10 makes it one of the most interesting food supplements of recent years - but only in its natural form, as found in offal (liver), nuts (e.g. pistachios), pulses, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, vegetable oils, cabbage, onions, potatoes, spinach, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.

This is because only natural coenzyme Q 10 can be easily absorbed by the cells and is therefore well tolerated. As an antioxidant, it strengthens the immune system, supports the regeneration of important vitamins and can, among other things, help to positively influence the natural ageing process of the skin, for example.

As the largest human organ, the skin is exposed not only to direct environmental influences but also to strong free radicals. Neutralizing them gives the skin cells more energy. This makes it easier for them to regenerate, which in turn noticeably slows down skin ageing.

Taking natural coenzyme Q 10 as an antioxidant can certainly contribute to this.

Sources:

Weber, M. (2009). Co-enzyme Q10, a key substance for a healthy life. Norderstedt.

Ernster, L. & Dallner, G. (1995, May). Biochemical, physiological and medical aspects of ubiquinone function. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1271(1):195-204

Ikematsu, H., Nakamura, K., Harashima, S., Fujii, K. & Fukutomi, N. (2006, April). Safety assessment of Coenzyme Q10 (Kaneka Q10) in healthy subjects: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 44:212-218, 2006.

Further information:

Dutton, P. L., Ohnishi, T., Darrouzet, E., Leonard, M. A., Eryl Sharp, R., Gibney, B. R. et al. Coenzyme Q oxidation reduction reactions in mitochondrial electron transport. In: Kagan, V. E. & Quinn, P. J. (eds.) (2000). Coenzyme Q: Molecular mechanisms in health and disease. CRC Press, pp. 65-82.

Shindo, Y., Witt, E., Han, D., Epstein, W., & Packer, L. (1994, January). Enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants in epidermis and dermis of human skin. The Journal of investigative dermatology, 102(1):122-124

James, A. M., Smith, R. A. & Murphy, M. P. (2004, March): Antioxidant and prooxidant properties of mitochondrial coenzyme Q. Archives of Biochemistry Biophysics, 423(1):47-56

Mancuso, M., Orsucci, D., Volpi, L., Calsolaro, V. & Siciliano, G. (2010, January). Coenzyme Q10 in neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders. Current Drug Targets, 11(1):111-21

Weber, C.: Dietary intake and absorption of coenzyme Q. In: Kagan, V.E. & Quinn, P.J. (eds.) (2000). Coenzyme Q: Molecular mechanisms in health and disease. CRC Press, pp. 209-215.

Crane, F.L. (2001, December). Biochemical functions of coenzyme Q10. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 20(6):591-8