By promoting the production of ATP in the presence of oxygen, Coenzyme Q10 is essential for maintaining good physical efficiency; it is therefore no coincidence that it is found in every cell of the organism (it is said to have a ubiquitous distribution), hence the term ubiquinone (or vitamin Q).
Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone): Chemical Structure
The concentration of Coenzyme Q10 tends to decrease with aging; low levels are also recorded in the presence of particular chronic diseases, such as those resulting from heart problems, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, cancer, AIDS and statin therapy.
Hence the different clinical applications of this molecule.
LDL cholesterol particles, seems to be the main focus on which its clinical use insists.By virtue of this activity, Coenzyme Q10 is used successfully:
- In the prevention of heart disease;
- In the prevention of hypertension and associated damage;
- In the prevention and management of neurodegenerative diseases;
- In the prevention of cellular aging.
Recent work would also attribute to Coenzyme Q10 a "myoprotective action against oxidative stress elicited by" intense physical exercise.
At the heart level - where fat is mainly consumed for energy purposes and therefore numerous and large mitochondria are needed - Coenzyme Q10 is particularly concentrated.
Hence the hypothesis that the dietary supplementation of ubiquinone may in some way be useful in the presence of ischemic heart disease.
Under these conditions, higher levels of Q10 could improve the efficiency of the electron transport chain, increasing the energy available for cardiac activity and alleviating the symptoms of the disease.
In fact, there is scientific evidence that confirms this hypothesis and, even if there are studies with contradictory results, the doctor could recommend a "supplement of Q10 in support of traditional therapy.
Better characterized are the antihypertensive effects of Coenzyme Q10, which have proved to be particularly valuable in over 12 clinical trials published in the literature.
Coenzyme Q10 and the nervous system
Oxidative damage seems to be one of the main protagonists of neurodegenerative diseases.
The damaging action of oxygen free radicals on nervous structures represents a pathogenic mechanism typical of diseases such as Parkinson's and muscular dystrophy.
From first experimental studies, the opportune integration with Coenzyme Q10 could block the biological mechanisms involved in the development and progression of the disease, offering an intervention and prevention tool complementary to the classic pharmacological therapies.
Further clinical trials may clarify the real effectiveness of these first insights.
Coenzyme Q10 and sport
Recent work would have attributed to Coenzyme Q10 a valuable role in improving athletic performance.
The reduction of the sensation of fatigue, a reduction in the risk of accidents and a marked decrease in blood concentrations of markers of oxidative damage, would constitute the main mechanisms of action of Coenzyme Q10 in sports.
It is therefore recommended to take it during meals.
, nausea and diarrhea.
, for which an enhancement of the hypoglycemic effect would have been observed;Finally, we recall the usefulness of supplementation with Coenzyme Q10 during lipid-lowering therapies with statins, which are classically associated with a lack of this nutrient.
and in the subsequent period of breastfeeding.Some clinical reports describe a potential hypoglycemic effect of Coenzyme Q10, such as to require medical supervision in patients with diabetes and at the same time undergoing drug therapy.
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