Related: Neuroprotective effects of Coenzyme Q10
Is Q10 a fitness-enhancing or an anti-aging supplement in the long run?
When we talk about the energy level-enhancing and aging-hindering supplement, we mean Coenzyme Q or (2,3-dimethoxy-5 methyl-6-multiprenyl-1–4-benzoquinone) where Q stands for the quinone group, and 10 means the place the isoprenyl subunits occupies in the molecule. CoQ10 plays a very important role in the cellular power stations, mitochondria, participating in the electron transport chain. It’s a strong antioxidant since it is included in the oxidation-reduction cycle justifying its use for health-protecting purposes. Surprisingly, in the studies confirming that it’s good for you, low doses and short time intake protocols were used while it takes at least 14 weeks to observe increased levels of Q19 in mitochondria of heart, muscle, kidney, and brain.
A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition (139: 1926–1932, 2009) was undertaken exactly in order to investigate the effects of long term intake of CoQ10 on the motor performance, sensory perception, and cognitive functions in doses either 0.68mg/g (low) or 2.6 mg/g (high). The high doses exacerbated, not prevented the cognitive and sensory impairments observed in old mice.
The authors conclude: “These findings do not support the notion that CoQ10 is a fitness-enhancing or an “antiaging” substance under normal physiological conditions.”
It is not clear, however, how these findings relate to human practice of using Q10 as a health-protecting supplement. The doses considered “low” in the study would mean almost 50 grams a day while only 50 to 200 mg (up to 1000 times lower) is recommended by health professionals. On the other hand, 300 mg/day effectively improved mitochondrial function in patients with ischaemic heart disease (comparing with patients receiving placebo), as shown in the study of Yuk-Ling Dai et al. (Atherosclerosis, 2011, online ahead of print)
139: 1926–1932, 2009
When we talk about the energy level-enhancing and aging-hindering supplement, we mean Coenzyme Q or (2,3-dimethoxy-5 methyl-6-multiprenyl-1–4-benzoquinone) where Q stands for the quinone group, and 10 means the place the isoprenyl subunits occupies in the molecule. CoQ10 plays a very important role in the cellular power stations, mitochondria, participating in the electron transport chain. It’s a strong antioxidant since it is included in the oxidation-reduction cycle justifying its use for health-protecting purposes. Surprisingly, in the studies confirming that it’s good for you, low doses and short time intake protocols were used while it takes at least 14 weeks to observe increased levels of Q19 in mitochondria of heart, muscle, kidney, and brain.
A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition (139: 1926–1932, 2009) was undertaken exactly in order to investigate the effects of long term intake of CoQ10 on the motor performance, sensory perception, and cognitive functions in doses either 0.68mg/g (low) or 2.6 mg/g (high). The high doses exacerbated, not prevented the cognitive and sensory impairments observed in old mice.
The authors conclude: “These findings do not support the notion that CoQ10 is a fitness-enhancing or an “antiaging” substance under normal physiological conditions.”
It is not clear, however, how these findings relate to human practice of using Q10 as a health-protecting supplement. The doses considered “low” in the study would mean almost 50 grams a day while only 50 to 200 mg (up to 1000 times lower) is recommended by health professionals. On the other hand, 300 mg/day effectively improved mitochondrial function in patients with ischaemic heart disease (comparing with patients receiving placebo), as shown in the study of Yuk-Ling Dai et al. (Atherosclerosis, 2011, online ahead of print)
