BoomerTimes & SeniorLife Magazine

August 2006

Linking Coenzyme Q-10, Energy, and Good Health by Cindy Marteney

Coenzymes. They’re microscopic organic compounds supporting enzyme functions in the body. Enzymes are responsible for catalyzing virtually every single bodily function, so keeping them around is a worthwhile cause!

A superstar among coezymes is coenzyme Q10 – or CoQ-10.  A fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance, CoQ-10 is responsible for converting glucose from food into ATP or cellular energy. CoQ-10 also regulates oxygen in cells, ensuring enough oxygen for energy production but not so much as to create fertile ground for free radical damage. 

From providing fuel for busy cells to protecting cells against oxidation, CoQ-10 is, quite literally, critical to life itself.  Thus, it’s no surprise that CoQ-10 is found concentrated in tissues and organs that require plenty of energy such as your heart, liver, skeletal muscles, and immune system. 

The trouble? CoQ-10 levels naturally decrease as you age. By some estimates, production begins to decline as early as age 21.  At 80 years of age, CoQ-10 levels may be lower than at birth.  

CoQ-10 levels tend to be especially low in unhealthy folks, particularly those with heart conditions, cancers, myopathies, and compromised immune systems, such as HIV/AIDS. It’s a sad but vicious circle.  Not enough CoQ-10 equates to reduced energy for healing as well as essential body functions. 

Statin drugs, taken by an estimated 20 millions Americans to lower “bad” cholesterol, are known to inhibit CoQ-10 synthesis.  Statins halt enzymes involved in cholesterol production, which takes place in the liver using mevalonate, the substance required for CoQ-10 production.  Statin use has been shown to decrease CoQ-10 serum levels by up to 40%!

The impact of depleted CoQ-10 levels can range from minor fatigue and muscle pain to outright heart failure.

The good news is that numerous studies have shown the positive influence of supplementing with CoQ10 when taking statins.

Supplement recommendations range from 60mg to 300mg per day.  However, it’s very important to take CoQ-10 either with meals rich in fats or in a lipid formulation (a softgel with oils), as CoQ-10 is not the most easily absorbed nutrient. While milligrams do count, so do the fats that accompany any supplemental CoQ-10!