Coenzyme Q10 is a substance that is produced by human cells and supports its vital functions. Its lack is fraught with the development of serious pathologies. In this case, saturation of the body with a nutrient from the outside, from biologically active additives and food products, becomes useful.
Therapy with such means increases endurance, slows down the processes of decay and aging, helps in the fight against AIDS, oncological neoplasms, cardiovascular and many other pathologies.
What is ubiquinone and what are its properties
Ubiquinone is an oxidized form of coenzyme found in mitochondria, which are the respiratory and energy centers of every cell in the body. It promotes the production of energy in them in the form of ATP, participates in the electron transport chain at the cellular level.
In general, ubiquinone performs the following actions:
- antioxidant - neutralizes free radicals and harmful cholesterol, slows down the aging process;
- antihypoxic - the effect is to improve the circulation of oxygen in the body;
- angioprotective - strengthening and restoration of vascular walls, normalization of blood flow;
- regenerating - restoration of cell membranes and acceleration of injury healing;
- immunomodulatory - regulation of the functioning of the immune system.
The history of the use of the nutrient begins in 1955-1957, when it was first studied with the determination of its chemical structure.
This name was given to ubiquinone because of its ubiquity, that is, ubiquitous.
At the same time, the development of drugs based on it began, which were used in practice in 1965 for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Ubiquinone works well with other substances that affect mitochondria. He is responsible for energy production, in the processing of which carnitine and thioctic acid are involved, and creatine promotes its release (source - NCBI - National Center for Biotechnology Information).
In this regard, the enzyme is used for the following purposes:
- stabilization of the cardiovascular system and normalization of blood pressure;
- improving the elastic properties of vascular walls and strengthening them;
- reduction in the size of cholesterol plaques and symptoms of atherosclerosis;
- preventing and slowing down the course of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease;
- planning workouts or long-term loads;
- therapy for gum disease;
- prevention of oncological diseases;
- support of the state in case of immune pathologies;
- reduction of the rehabilitation period after serious illnesses and surgical interventions.
Mechanism of action
The role of coenzyme Q10 is to trigger a series of chemical reactions that accelerate the breakdown of food into energy.
The description of the mechanism of action begins with the synthesis of ubiquinone, which is formed in cells from mevalonic acid, metabolic products of phenylalanine and tyrosine.
It participates in transport and energy processes, capturing protons and electrons from complexes I and II of the respiratory chain. So it is reduced to ubiquinol, a more active substance with increased bioavailability and penetrating ability.
The resulting element transfers 2 electrons to the III complex of the respiratory chain, participating in the formation of adenosine triphosphoric acid (ATP) in mitochondrial membranes. It directly affects free radicals, exerting an antioxidant effect on cells destroying elements.
Impact on life expectancy
Ability to synthesize ubiquinone is highest at a young age and in the presence in the body of a sufficient amount of vitamins A, C, group B and the aromatic amino acid tyrosine.
Over the years, its amount drops rapidly, and the risk of diseases increases, among which the following are most common:
- fibromyalgia - chronic musculoskeletal pathology;
- cardiovascular diseases and their complications;
- a Prader-Willi genetic disorder in newborns;
- parkinsonism, accompanied by sluggishness, unsteadiness of gait and tremors of the hands;
- Huntington's disease;
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis;
- obesity;
- diabetes;
- infertility in men;
- dysfunction of the immune system, which can transform into frequent colds, autoimmune pathology, malignant neoplasms;
- depression, frequent migraines, etc.
Coenzyme Q supplementation may be prescribed to prevent such pathologies or treat existing problems.
Despite the fact that it does not prolong life, the nutrient provides a good anti-aging effect in maintaining human health.
Effect on the body
Being a fat-soluble coenzyme, coenzyme is easily absorbed by tissues and organs when it enters them from the outside. In terms of functions, it is similar to vitamin compounds, which leads to the assignment of the name pseudovitamin or vitamin Q10 to it.
The maximum amount is found in organs that carry the highest energy costs, such as the heart, kidneys and liver.
Additional intake of a nutrient starts the following processes:
- increases endurance in athletes;
- improves physical activity in old age;
- reduces dopamine loss, partly preserving reflex functions in Parkinson's disease;
- strengthens tissues and prevents the destructive effect of ultraviolet radiation on the skin, improves its elasticity and regeneration;
- reduces the damage done to the heart muscle and increases the life of other organs;
- dilating blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow if it is obstructed;
- increases the ratio of insulin and proinsulin, reduces the amount of glycohemoglobin in the blood, reducing the risk of diabetes complications;
- increases the activity of protein in muscle tissues, reducing fatigue and increasing endurance during their intense contractions (source - NCBI - National Center for Biotechnology Information).
Coenzyme in sports
Coenzyme Q10, available in the form of a supplement, is often used by athletes to improve the quality and duration of training, as well as to eliminate the effects of physical activity. Plus, Q10 is an excellent supplemental energy source for athletes.
The dietary supplement reduces hypoxic tissue damage caused by a lack of oxygen in them.
This property is especially important when performing anaerobic training, climbing to great heights.
The daily dose of the drug is 90-120 mg. For bodybuilding purposes, it is optimal to use about 100 mg in combination with vitamins C and E. This will serve as an additional source of energy.
Indications for use
Indications for the use of ubiquinone can be:
- excessive physical or mental stress;
- stressful situations, psychological pressure;
- high or low blood pressure;
- chemotherapy and surgery;
- infectious diseases that reduce immunity;
- immunodeficiency in HIV and AIDS;
- the risk of post-infarction syndrome and exacerbations after a stroke;
- increased blood cholesterol levels;
- prevention of infertility in men;
- respiratory pathology;
- bleeding gums, periodontal disease, stomatitis;
- diabetes;
- arrhythmia, angina pectoris and other problems in the field of cardiology.
The duration of admission and dosage are set individually with the assistance of specialists.
Contraindications
Contraindications to the use of coenzyme are:
- complication of peptic ulcer;
- aggravated glomerulonephritis;
- decrease in heart rate (less than 50 beats per minute);
- individual sensitivity to components;
- pregnancy, lactation and age up to 18 years.
The risk zone also includes patients with oncological and cardiac diseases. If available, the supplement should be discussed with your doctor.
Forms of release and method of application
Ubiquinone is produced in the form of dietary supplements with different forms of release and many analogs from different manufacturers:
- gelatin capsules with a liquid middle, well absorbed by the body (Doppelgertsaktiv, Forte, Omeganol, Kaneka);
- tablets with potassium, magnesium and other substances (Coenzyme Q10, Capilar cardio);
- Vitamin Gummies (from Kirkman)
- drops for adding to drinks that are better for eating with fatty foods (Kudesan);
- solution for intramuscular injection (Coenzyme Compositum).
In general, the body requires 50 to 200 mg of coenzyme per day in the absence of serious diseases. Method of application - once a day, with meals, as it refers to fat-soluble substances.
For therapeutic purposes, the dose is increased only by a specialist on the basis of examination and a complete history of the pathology. For example, with Parkinson's disease, the daily requirement will increase several times.
Pros and cons
Among the positive aspects of Q10:
- a tangible improvement in the condition for patients with cardiovascular diseases;
- the possibility of using for prevention and without a prescription;
- complex effect on all organ systems;
- acceleration of postoperative rehabilitation;
- slowing down the growth of cancers;
- increased endurance and reduced fatigue;
- safety of use if the recommendations are followed.
Negative effects appear only if the instructions are not followed.
The drug has no toxic effect on the body, being a natural supplement.
But it is best absorbed with a daily intake of no more than 500 mg in the complex therapy of the disease. Exceeding the dose leads to indigestion, but does not have other pronounced side effects, even with prolonged use. In some cases, excessive dosages can accelerate the aging process, sleep disturbances or dermatological skin rashes.
Prevention
According to the instructions, coenzyme is taken to prevent and slow down the course of many serious diseases, such as cancer, heart attack, stroke. In addition, it is effective in improving the condition and maintaining the general tone of the body.
The need for a dietary supplement is due to a decrease in enzyme production with age after 20 years.
Under the supervision of a qualified doctor, dietary supplements can be used on an ongoing basis, if there are no side effects or contraindications.
Recent Research
According to scientific experiments, which were originally conducted on mice, the relationship between the level of coenzymes and the amount and composition of food was revealed. If calorie intake is limited, then in skeletal muscles and kidneys the number of Q9 and Q10 increases, and only Q9 decreases in the heart tissue.
In modern conditions in Italy, an experiment was carried out among patients with cardiovascular diseases. Of the 2,500 subjects, some of the patients took the supplement in combination with other drugs of the main therapy. As a result, improvements were noticed not only in general well-being, but also in the condition of the skin and hair, and problems with sleep disappeared. People noted an increase in tone and performance, the disappearance of shortness of breath and other unpleasant manifestations.
