Article Summary:
- Clinical studies have established the detrimental effects of alcohol on cell functions, including the production of free radicals, resulting in cell death.
- The antioxidant properties of CoQ10 show promising potential in protecting cells from alcohol-induced toxicity and limiting cell death to a certain extent.*
- Tesseract’s proprietary CoQ10 Pro® is a unique supplement developed for optimal bioavailability and absorption of CoQ10 in the body.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends no alcohol intake or limiting alcohol intake in moderation (2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women). Binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any drinking by pregnant women or individuals younger than 21 years are considered excessive alcohol consumption. Extensive short-term and long-term health risks are associated with excessive alcohol consumption, including cellular damage or cytotoxicity due to Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) depletion.
Below, we discuss the potential interactions of CoQ10 and alcohol and how a CoQ10 supplement can counter the adverse impacts of alcohol consumption to a certain extent.*
Interactions Between CoQ10 and Alcohol
CoQ10 is a molecule naturally present in all cells in our body and serves as a cofactor in energy production. CoQ10 is particularly abundant in organs with high metabolism rates, such as the heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs. It is also a powerful antioxidant that protects cellular components from the harmful effects of free radicals.*
Alcohol-induced oxidative stress is linked to ethanol metabolism, which is directly involved in producing free radicals, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (ROS). In clinical studies1, ethanol treatment has been found to deplete glutathione (GSH) levels and decrease antioxidant activity.
The following table highlights the potential interactions between CoQ10 and alcohol in the body.
| CoQ10 and Alcohol: Potential Interactions | |
| Alcohol and decreased CoQ10 levels: Ethanol-treated liver cells display2 elevated secretion of TNF-alpha — a cytokine used by the immune system for cell signaling. Such damaged liver cells have depleted mitochondrial CoQ10, which is detrimental to cell viability.* | Ethanol diminishes liver stores of CoQ10: Ethanol, either separately or in combination with lovastatin — a class of drugs that lower cholesterol, can diminish3 liver stores of CoQ10 by almost 40 percent. |
| CoQ10’s neuroprotective effects on alcohol-induced damage to nerve cells*: Clinical studies on rats have found4 the neuroprotective effects of CoQ10 and Vitamin E to counter the molecular neurotoxic effects of alcohol.* | CoQ10’s gastroprotective effects on alcohol-induced damage to gastric mucosa*: Alcohol consumption is frequently associated with damage to gastric mucosa — the thin lining of the mucous membrane on the inner surface of the stomach. CoQ10 supplementation has been found5 to mitigate ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage.* |
It has been observed6 that individuals indulging in unhealthy alcohol consumption have significantly reduced CoQ10 plasma levels, resulting from both reduced hepatic synthesis and nutritional deficiency. Research studies suggest that CoQ10 supplementation can be potentially effective in restricting alcohol-induced cell death or apoptosis in various tissues of the liver, brain, skin, and other organs.*
Incorporating a CoQ10 Supplement in Your Diet
A major challenge with CoQ10 supplementation is CoQ10’s natural poor bioavailability and absorption in the body. When orally ingested, CoQ10 molecules are required to pass the intestinal wall and then travel to the liver through the portal circulation. The relatively high molecular weight of CoQ10, along with its insolubility in water and limited solubility in lipids, makes it difficult to be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.
To counter the poor natural absorption of CoQ10, a majority of over-the-counter nutritional supplements contain a much higher amount of CoQ10 than its usual daily presence in the diet. Various approaches have been used to enhance the bioavailability of orally-ingested CoQ10, with nanoformulations displaying promising results compared to unformulated CoQ10.
Tesseract’s proprietary CoQ10 Pro® uses CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery system for enhanced absorption of CoQ10 molecules at daily intake levels much lower than previously required. The CyLoc® technology isolates and encases each CoQ10 molecule in a dextrin fiber matrix to create nano-sized particles that are more easily absorbed and utilized by cells. The DexKey® technology accompanies each CyLoc® molecule and breaks the dextrin fiber cage at the desired release point in the intestinal tract for maximum solubility and absorption. With the optimal delivery of CoQ10 molecules to the heart, liver, nervous tissues, and others, CoQ10 Pro® supports your overall health functions.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing bioavailability and absorption, and micro-dosing of multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Visit our website for more information about how Tesseract’s products support your cardiovascular health.*
Citations:
1Das SK, Vasudevan DM. Alcohol-induced oxidative stress. Life Sciences vol. 81,3 (2007):177-187. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2007.05.005
2Vidyashankar S, et al. Alcohol depletes coenzyme-Q(10) associated with increased TNF-alpha secretion to induce cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. Toxicology vol. 302,1 (2012):34-39. doi:10.1016/j.tox.2012.07.009
3Loop RA, et al. Effects of ethanol, lovastatin and coenzyme Q10 treatment on antioxidants and TBA reactive material in liver of rats. Molecular Aspects of Medicine vol. 15 Suppl (1994): s195-s206. doi:10.1016/0098-2997(94)90029-9
4Kandhare AD, et al. Elucidation of molecular mechanism involved in neuroprotective effect of Coenzyme Q10 in alcohol-induced neuropathic pain. Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology vol. 27,6 (2013):603-622. doi:10.1111/fcp.12003
5Karakaya K, et al. Gastroprotective effects of CoQ10 on ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions. Bratislavske Lekarske Listy vol. 116,1 (2015):51-56. doi:10.4149/bll_2015_010
6Bianchi GP, et al. Reduced ubiquinone plasma levels in patients with liver cirrhosis and in chronic alcoholics. Liver vol. 14,3 (1994):138-140. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0676.1994.tb00062.x
