As we age, it’s common that we begin to feel lethargic, making us difficult to keep up with the activities that we enjoy. One of the main reasons we feel that way is because our bodies produce less CoQ10 as we age, leading to decreased energy levels, and increased oxidative stress. So, what is CoQ10?
What is CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a nutrient found in every cell of the body and it is essential for cells and organs to function. CoQ10 plays a vital role in energy production which is concentrated in organs that require the most energy such as the heart, liver, muscles, and kidneys. It is also a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can contribute to several medical conditions, including aging, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, and cancers.
Two main forms of CoQ10: Ubiquinone and Ubiquinol.
Benefits of Ubiquinol
Strong antioxidant support – helps soak up oxidative stress and free radicals.
Supports heart health – helps maintain a healthy heart and vascular system.
Helps treat heart failure – restores optimal levels of energy production, reducing oxidative damage, and improving heart function.
Improves exercise performance – Reduce fatigue during exercise by offering sustained natural energy.
More efficient uptake – Ubiquinol is more easily absorbed compared to Ubiquinone.
Sources of CoQ10 Ubiquinol
Animal organs - CoQ10 Ubiquinol lives in cells that are mostly concentrated in vital organs throughout the body. This means animal organ meat has the highest amounts of CoQ10 Ubiquinol per 100 grams. For instance, a chicken heart and liver has 9.2 milligrams and 11.6 milligrams of CoQ10 Ubiquinol respectively.
Meat - Since it lives throughout the body, it is present in all meat forms. Beef offers about 3.1 milligrams per 100 grams and chicken has 1.4 milligrams of CoQ10 Ubiquinol.
Fatty Fish - Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines contain CoQ10 Ubiquinol. Mackerel provides about 6.75 milligrams per 100 grams and trout provides 0.85 milligrams of CoQ10 Ubiquinol.
Soybeans - Soybean products such as tofu, soy milk, and soy yogurt are valuable CoQ10 Ubiquinol sources. Boiled soybeans have 1.2 milligrams of CoQ10 Ubiquinol per 100 grams.
Vegetables - Along with many vitamins and minerals, a lot of vegetables contain CoQ10 Ubiquinol. Among them are broccoli who has high CoQ10 Ubiquinol content, weighing in at 0.6 to 0.86 milligrams of CoQ10 Ubiquinol per 100 grams.
You can also find CoQ10 Ubiquinol in many food. However, the amount of CoQ10 Ubiquinol present in dietary sources are typically lowered compared to supplements. For some, a healthy diet complimented by supplements may be necessary to get enough nutrients in your body.
