Co Enzyme Q10 – Natures Spark Plug

CoQ10 is often referred to as ‘nature’s spark plug’ because every cell of your body needs it to make energy. It also happens to be a particularly important nutrient when it comes to protecting and healing the kidneys which is why I wanted to highlight it in today’s article.

What is CoQ10?

CoQ10 is a naturally occurring vitamin-like molecule and is the only fat-soluble antioxidant made by the body. 

There are two main functions that make CoQ10 such a powerful and important compound:

1.     Energy production
2.     Antioxidant activity

In humans, most of the processes occurring in our body rely on energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). CoQ10 is essential for the production of ATP which takes place in the mitochondria of every cell in the body. 

No other nutrient or vitamin can mimic or replace CoQ10, making it indispensable. CoQ10 is found in the highest amounts in the organs that use the most energy such as the heart, brain, kidneys and liver 

CoQ10 is also a potent fat-soluble antioxidant that is considered more efficient than the antioxidant vitamin E. It helps to prevent and heal damage to our cells and the genetic material inside them.

As well as having its own antioxidant actions, CoQ10 can regenerate vitamin E and vitamin C- two very important antioxidants- which allows the body to use them again. CoQ10 also increases the actions of the body’s major antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).

What is CoQ10 used for?

ATP production inside the mitochondria of a cell – Image from Science Magazine.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7222396/

CoQ10 is used in a wide variety of conditions but has been shown to have particular benefits in cardiovascular disease including heart failure, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol (it also prevents LDL cholesterol from becoming oxidised which is what leads to the hardening of the arteries), diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines and headaches, periodontal disease and Parkinson’s disease.

CoQ10 also plays a significant role in boosting the immune system because the tissues and cells involved with immune function require a lot of energy, meaning they also need an adequate supply of CoQ10.

Food Sources of CoQ10

Most of the daily CoQ10 requirement is made within the body but we do get a small amount from our diet. 

The following foods contain CoQ10:

•     Organ meats: Heart, liver and kidney
•     Some muscle meats: Pork, beef and chicken
•     Fatty fish: Trout, herring, mackerel and sardines
•     Vegetables: Spinach, cauliflower and broccoli
•     Fruit: Oranges and strawberries
•     Legumes: Soybeans and lentils
•     Nuts and seeds: Sesame seeds and pistachios

Causes of CoQ10 deficiency

As we age, our ability to produce CoQ10 decreases so CoQ10 deficiency is more common in older adults. Other things that reduce CoQ10 levels include poor eating habits, infections, stress and high levels of oxidative stress.

Low levels of CoQ10 may be a particular problem in people prescribed the cholesterol-lowering drugs statins (eg. atorvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin) because CoQ10 is made by the same pathway that is blocked by statin drugs. 

Other medications shown to lower the body’s production of CoQ10 include beta-blockers, diabetic medications, tricyclic antidepressants and some antipsychotic medications. 

Why use CoQ10 in CKD?

Levels of CoQ10 have been shown to be lower in people with CKD, not surprising really when you take into account some of the causes of CoQ10 deficiency.

CoQ10 is a great supplement for people with CKD for a number of reasons:

• Antioxidant capacity- oxidative stress is a key contributor to CKD development and progression.
• Energy production- its ability to increase energy levels which doesn’t just mean that it reduces fatigue but also provides energy for improved immune function and healing of the kidneys.
• Anti-inflammatory actions- inflammation contributes to the development of most chronic health conditions including kidney disease.
• Cardiovascular effects- CoQ10 plays a role in both preventing and treating cardiovascular disease and has blood pressure-lowering effects. 
• Improves glucose metabolism and helps to regulate blood sugar levels.

In a small study of people with CKD, half the patients received CoQ10 while the other half were given a placebo. After four weeks, the patients receiving CoQ10 showed a significant reduction in blood creatinine and urea levels. The CoQ10 trial also lowered the number of patients who ended up needing dialysis; only 36.2% of CoQ10 patients were receiving dialysis compared to 90% in the placebo group. 

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1359084031000095002

Supplementing with CoQ10

When looking to supplement with CoQ10 we need to think about both the type of CoQ10 we’re supplementing and the form of the supplement.

CoQ10 supplements come in two different forms: ubiquinone and ubiquinol. Ubiquinol is the reduced form of CoQ10 and ubiquinone is the oxidised form. What this means is that the body has to convert ubiquinone into ubiquinol before it can be used, meaning ubiquinol is considered to be the active form of CoQ10.

Starting around age 30, our bodies have a harder time converting ubiquinone into ubiquinol and some people have genetic polymorphisms that means the body is unable or less able to convert ubiquinone into the active form. For example, people who have a problem with the gene Quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) lack the enzyme needed to convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol.

Ubiquinol is also 3 to 4 times better absorbed by the body than ubiquinone. 

Being a fat-soluble antioxidant, gel and oil-based formulations of CoQ10 are better absorbed by the body when compared to capsules or tablets.

BioPerine® is a patented extract derived from black pepper fruits (Piper Nigraum) that has been used as a bioavailability enhancer for nutrients like CoQ10 for over 20 years. Nutritional formulas that have BioPerine® added have been shown in studies to enhance the overall serum levels of CoQ10 by 30% in individuals when taken over a 21 day period.

This make supplements that have added BioPerine®  to their formulas another great option to enhance the absorption of CoQ10 meaning more bang for your buck!

https://bioperine.com/index.php/coq10

So Which One to Buy?

So what does this all mean? If you want to ensure you’re getting the most out of your CoQ10 supplement, you’re better off spending a little extra and buying either the ubiquinol form in a gel or oil-based capsule or buying a formula that has BioPerine® added to it to improve overall CoQ10 absorption levels.

Dosage

The therapeutic dose of CoQ10 is 100 mg-600 mg a day. To improve absorption and availability for the body, consider dividing the dose you’re taking over the day, ie. Instead of taking 300mg once a day, take 150mg twice a day and take it with a meal containing some fat to increase absorption.

Don’t forget! 

Before introducing any new supplement, make sure you consult your healthcare provider. Because of CoQ10’s ability to lower blood pressure and blood glucose levels it may increase the effect of anti-hypertensive and diabetic medications so close monitoring of blood pressure and blood sugar is advised.

Caution

CoQ10 is structurally similar to vitamin K so there are concerns that it could potentially interact with the anticoagulant warfarin however available clinical trial evidence doesn’t support these claims. Even so, make sure you discuss this with your healthcare provider as closer monitoring of your INR when starting CoQ10 may be required. 

So there you have it, there’s everything you need to know about CoQ10 and its role in kidney health and healing. If you found this article interesting or helpful, please be sure to share it with your friends.