What’s Coenzyme Q10 and Why Do You Need It?

Dr. Stephen Sinatra, former Chief of Cardiology at Manchester Memorial Hospital and founder of the New England Heart & Longevity Center answers your coenzyme Q10 questions…

Q. Why do I need coenzyme Q10?

A. Coenzyme Q10 fuels your heart and maximizes your energy levels; it’s also an incredibly powerful age-fighting antioxidant. Every single person over the age of 40 will benefit immensely from taking coenzyme Q10. At the very least, it provides an incredible surge to your energy levels. In its most critical role, coenzyme Q10 dramatically protects your heart. I’ve often said I wouldn’t practice cardiology without coenzyme Q10.

Your body typically starts losing coenzyme Q10 after you turn 40. If you don’t have heart issues, or a family history of heart problems, taking a maintenance dose of coenzyme Q10 will go a long way in preventing future problems. Plus, it boosts your energy.

You also need to supplement with coenzyme Q10 if you’re taking statin drugs since they can deplete your coenzyme Q10 levels.

Coenzyme Q10 at a glance:

• Strengthens and energizes your heart
• Increases cellular and physical energy
• Fights age-accelerating free radicals
• Promotes normal homocysteine levels
• Support healthy cholesterol levels
• Supports immune health

Q. What is coenzyme Q10?

A. Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like substance found in every cell’s mitochondria. It’s a necessary part of the chain of events that turns food into energy throughout your body. Without that energy, everything stops. That’s why I call coenzyme Q10 the spark of life.

This is why your heart thrives with high levels of coenzyme Q10—it requires enormous amounts of energy.

Coenzyme Q10 is also an antioxidant. Since it’s in every cell, it fights free radicals everywhere in your body. Your brain, arteries, joints, eyes all get tremendous protection against oxidation, a main cause of aging.

Q. How much coenzyme Q10 should I take?

A. The nurses at my office joke that I take it by the handful! While that’s not entirely true, this is a case where you really can’t have too much of a good thing. That said, not everyone needs a large daily dose. If you’re currently dealing with heart concerns or taking statin drugs, you need to supplement with a high daily dose. If you are looking for preventive measures, a baseline coenzyme Q10 dose will do.

Most patients I’ve worked with fall into the high-dose category, but a lot of people fall somewhere in between the two ends of the spectrum. The coenzyme Q10 “cheat sheet” below should help you determine your needs.

At-a-glance coenzyme Q10 dosage recommendations:

Q. What form of coenzyme Q10 should I look for?

A. Ubiquinone in a liquid softgel. There are basically two forms of coenzyme Q10 used in supplements, ubiquinone and ubiquinol. Ubiquinol is the form found in your body, so some researchers believe your body will absorb it better in a supplement.

Ubiquinone, however, is easily converted to ubiquinol once your body absorbs it. It’s less expensive than ubiquinol and there’s no solid evidence to indicate it’s less effective.

In fact, last year, I did my own informal study of 12 volunteers. Half of the participants took either 200 mg of ubiquinol or 200 mg of ubiquinone for the first month. In the second month, I had them take nothing. In the third month, the participants switched to the other form of coenzyme Q10.

I checked their blood levels each month and found that both groups achieved excellent results, with ubiquinol resulting in only slightly higher coenzyme Q10 levels in most people—making it not worth the higher cost. Plus, in one person, ubiquinol actually resulted in a significantly lower coenzyme Q10 blood level when compared to ubiquinone.

More importantly, I was disturbed by feedback from several volunteers who complained of fatigue when they took ubiquinol. Supplementing with coenzyme Q10 should have the complete opposite effect, giving you a tremendous boost in energy!

Q. What should I look for in a coenzyme Q10 supplement?

A. Form and dose. As I discussed above, I recommend the ubiquinone form. There is more to it, though. Coenzyme Q10 is a very large molecule that doesn’t go easily into your cells. That’s why it’s critical to take it dispersed in oil. I recommend steering clear of tablets or capsules altogether and looking for a coenzyme Q10 softgel instead.

Q. Is it ever okay to take a coenzyme Q10 supplement that does have other nutrients?

A. Absolutely! Some nutrients work incredibly well with coenzyme Q10 in protecting your heart and revving up your energy levels. Coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine, for example, are like peas in a pod. These nutritional warriors are the best team there is for preserving heart and brain health.

Another natural partner for coenzyme Q10 is fish oil, or any source abundant in omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs). EFA’s are also critical for a healthy heart, yet they provide benefits that differ from coenzyme Q10. Taking the two together gives you complete coverage for a strong, healthy heart.

Or, if you’re looking to use coenzyme Q10 for its amazing energy benefits, find a formula that combines it with B vitamins. Combining coenzyme Q10 with any other mix of premier antioxidants also yields greater free-radical fighting benefits.

As long as you pay attention to the form, amount, and delivery system of your coenzyme Q10, you can’t go wrong for your heart, brain, longevity, and quality of life.