Are you looking for an advanced supplement formulation that promotes your cardiovascular health?
Are you aware of the different types of CoQ10 supplements available commercially?
Do you know about the novel approaches that enhance the bioavailability and absorption of CoQ10 in the body?
Get the answers to common queries about CoQ10 supplements, their different types and forms, the common absorption challenges associated with commercially available CoQ10 supplements, and the factors you should consider while determining the right CoQ10 supplement for your health. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on the page.
CoQ10 and Heart Health
Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are potential factors contributing to cardiovascular disorders.
- Oxidative Stress: Increased Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) can inhibit nitric oxide (NO) availability — an important vasodilator factor. Low NO availability can result in arterial dysfunction due to the constriction of blood vessels, thereby making the heart work harder to pump blood.
- Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Because oxidative metabolism in the mitochondria is the primary energy source of the heart, the inability to generate and transfer energy is considered the primary mechanism linking mitochondrial dysfunction and decreased cardiac contractility.
Coenzyme Q10 (or CoQ10) plays a prominent role in electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria and acts as a cofactor in cellular energy production.* As a potent antioxidant, CoQ10 inhibits the oxidation of DNA and proteins to reduce oxidative stress in cardiac tissues.* With such a critical role in the optimal functioning of heart cells, it is not surprising that individuals who are experiencing cardiac dysfunction often have a CoQ10 deficiency.
How Does CoQ10 Counter the Side Effects of Statins?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) builds up inside the arteries, making them narrower. Narrowing arteries makes it hard for the blood to circulate and increases the potential risks of heart attack or stroke. Statins reduce LDL cholesterol significantly and, consequently, the incidence of cardiac events. However, statins also have side effects, including CoQ10 depletion that results in cramping, muscle pain, and general weakness. These side effects are associated with a reduction in mitochondrial CoQ10.
The following table summarizes how CoQ10 supplements can counter the side effects of statin therapy1.
|
CoQ10 and Statins | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
|
Ubiquinone or Ubiquinol — Which CoQ10 Supplement Form Works Better?
Both ubiquinone and ubiquinol are different forms of CoQ10, and most commercially available CoQ10 supplements are in one of these forms.
- The fully oxidized Ubiquinone form (CoQ10): It is involved in the electron transport chain in the inner membranes of mitochondria for energy production.*
- The fully reduced Ubiquinol form (CoQ10H2): It provides antioxidant protection to cellular membrane lipids and lipoprotein lipids present in circulation.*
There is much debate about the most effective form of CoQ10 supplementation. It was earlier hypothesized that ubiquinol is more bioavailable because regardless of the initial dietary form of CoQ10 (ubiquinone or ubiquinol), it remains in the blood and lymph in the ubiquinol form. CoQ10 molecules in the body convert back and forth from the oxidized state to the reduced state, depending on the body’s need for optimal cell function.
Several studies suggest there is no statistically significant difference between the bioavailability of ubiquinone and ubiquinol supplements.
Absorption Challenges of CoQ10 Supplements
Commercially available CoQ10 supplements include capsules, chewable tablets, oral sprays, and liquid syrups. However, the poor absorption of most CoQ10 supplements compromises their efficacy. The following table highlights the factors contributing to the low absorption and bioavailability of CoQ10.
|
Why are Most CoQ10 Supplements Poorly Absorbed? |
|
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
These factors slow down and limit the absorption of oral CoQ10 supplement formulations that use conventional delivery methods. Several recent studies indicate that solubilized CoQ10 formulations exhibit enhanced bioavailability2.
Novel CoQ10 Supplement Formulations for Enhanced Absorption
If CoQ10 absorption is limited through conventional delivery systems, then why can’t the CoQ10 concentration per capsule be elevated for the desired therapeutic benefits? Unfortunately, it is not a feasible approach to enhance the bioavailability of CoQ10.
Notably, the bioavailability and absorption of a CoQ10 supplement depends on how it is formulated3. Because conventional CoQ10 supplement formulations fail to enhance the bioavailability of the active nutrient, several novel approaches have been explored to address these absorption challenges. The following table highlights some of the novel pharmacological approaches implemented to enhance the solubility of CoQ10.
|
Novel Approaches to Enhance the Solubility of CoQ10 Formulations |
|
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It has been shown that encasing CoQ10 with cyclodextrins will significantly enhance CoQ10 absorption and bioavailability, indicating this delivery process is superior to formulations that feature only uncomplexed CoQ10.
Are CoQ10 Supplements Safe?
CoQ10 is produced naturally in the body and is also included in the diet as an additional supplement. The safety studies of CoQ10 supplements suggest that CoQ10 has low toxicity.
The acceptable daily intake (ADI) of CoQ10 is 12 mg/kg/day4.
In humans, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of CoQ10 translates to 720 mg/day for an individual weighing 60 kg (or 132 pounds).
Although preclinical and clinical studies indicate that CoQ10 is highly safe for use as a dietary supplement, there can be potential side effects of CoQ10 supplements.
|
Potential Side Effects of CoQ10 Supplements |
|
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
Hence, it is always recommended to consult with your healthcare provider before including a CoQ10 supplement in your diet.
How to Choose the Best CoQ10 Supplement
CoQ10 supplements are conventionally produced through a yeast fermentation process. However, not all CoQ10 supplements are developed for optimal efficacy. When selecting the best CoQ10 supplement to support your cardiovascular health, you should consider a formulation that is:
- Bioavailable: Carrier lipids and the solubilization of the formulation determine the bioavailability of a CoQ10 supplement. The proportion and addition of preservatives, such as vitamin C, to supplement formulations also influence the bioavailability of the active nutrient.
- Easily Absorbed: CoQ10 can only be absorbed in the body as individual molecules. Raw CoQ10 is not easily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. The polymorphic crystals should be separated into single molecules throughout the formulation’s shelf life for enhanced absorption.
The formulation should also be manufactured using appropriate techniques and manufacturing standards to ensure the highest quality supplement available.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About CoQ10 Supplements
Can I take a CoQ10 supplement with a prescription medicine?
Although the safety profile of CoQ10 supplements is well established, they can have potential contraindications with prescription medicines. Always consult with your healthcare provider before including a CoQ10 supplement in your diet.
Can I take a CoQ10 supplement while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The data is inconclusive on the safety of taking a CoQ10 supplement during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is always recommended to consult with your healthcare provider before taking a CoQ10 supplement during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.
How do I choose the best CoQ10 supplement?
The efficacy of a CoQ10 supplement is determined in part by the delivery technology used in the formulation. Tesseract Medical Research’s CoQ10 Pro® is an innovative supplement formulation that uses the proprietary and ground-breaking CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology for unparalleled absorption of CoQ10 molecules in the intestinal tract. The unprecedented absorption of CoQ10 enables micro-dosing — taking CoQ10 in an amount much less than previously required to accomplish the desired therapeutic benefits to support your heart health.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing absorption and bioavailability, and micro-dosing a nutrient in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they can help support cardiovascular health.*
Citations:
1Taylor BA. American journal of cardiovascular drugs: drugs, devices, and other interventions vol. 18,2 (2018): 75-82. doi:10.1007/s40256-017-0251-2
2Pravst, Igor et al. Nutrients vol. 12,3 784. 16 Mar. 2020, doi:10.3390/nu12030784
3Bhagavan HN, Chopra RK. Free radical research vol. 40,5 (2006): 445-453. doi:10.1080/10715760600617843
4Hidaka T, et al. BioFactors (Oxford, England) vol. 32,1-4 (2008): 199-208. doi:10.1002/biof.5520320124
