Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a natural enzyme and antioxidant found inside all of your cells, primarily in your "powerhouse" mitochondria. This potent nutrient is used widely as a wellness supplement because of its ability to assist with numerous health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, infertility, migraines, and certain types of cancer and autoimmune disease. The two forms of CoQ10 are known as ubiquinone and ubiquinol and they are produced organically in your body. One form is converted to the other form, and then back again during your cells' normal energy production process. Because of this, CoQ10 is responsible for about 95% of your body's energy supply!
What is the difference between ubiquinone and ubiquinol?
CoQ10 in its oxidized form is called ubiquinone, and in its reduced form it's known as ubiquinol. During the energy production process:
- Ubiquinone donates an electron and becomes ubiquinol
- Ubiquinol accepts an electron and becomes ubiquinone
One of the key differences between ubiquinone and ubiquinol outside your body is that ubiquinol is only trademarked, patented, and produced by one private company. It also costs more to manufacture than ubiquinone.
For several years, CoQ10 was exclusively in the ubiquinone form and most supplements remain so today. Ubiquinone is the first and most widely used form of CoQ10 because it's more stable. It's also the subject of the majority of studies showing the many wellness benefits of CoQ10.
Both forms of CoQ10 - ubiquinone and ubiquinol - are considered safe with few side effects.
Ubiquinone and ubiquinol: is one better than the other?
Since ubiquinone converts to ubiquinol (and vice versa) inside your body, neither form is thought to be better for your health than the other. The signaling agents inside your cells and tissues decide which form of the enzyme is needed at the moment, and make any necessary conversions.
One advantage that ubiquinone has is that it does tend to be a more affordable option. Supplements containing ubiquinol are more expensive to produce. In addition, the majority of research conducted on CoQ10's extensive wellness benefits was done using the more stable ubiquinone. It's the scientifically better-understood nutrient.
However, both the common form of CoQ10 (ubiquinone) and ubiquinol are considered health-enhancing antioxidants, so each provides you with a wealth of wellness benefits. These include improved immunity and lowered risk for chronic health conditions.
Which form of CoQ10 is more bioavailable?
Bioavailability is the ability of your body to absorb a substance. Both ubiquinone and ubiquinol are crystalline molecules. They must be scientifically formulated by a team of experts in order to absorb into your cells at optimal rates.
It's been shown that CoQ10 supplements formulated using "crystal dispersion" increase absorption rates for the enzyme by up to 75%.
Research indicates that, because ubiquinone is more stable than ubiquinol, greater levels of "crystal dispersion" can be applied to it. In one study, this gave ubiquinone a 48% greater absorption rate than its sister molecule, ubiquinol.
Only in studies where ubiquinone didn't undergo crystal dispersion did it show lower absorption rates than ubiquinol.
When formulated properly, ubiquinone's greater stability helps give it a leg up when it comes to absorption into your body.
CoQ10 for fertility
Female Fertility
Women over 35 should consider taking CoQ10 to make up for the natural decline in CoQ10 concentration in parts of the body, including female eggs. The enzymes that produce CoQ10 aren't expressed as much as you age. This dip in levels of CoQ10 can negatively impact the mitochondria inside your eggs and reduce the levels of your body's energy supply, known as ATP. Both of these contribute to infertility in a number of ways, including:
- Reduced egg maturity
- Decreased ovarian reserve
- Lowered fertilization potential
- Poor embryo quality
A 2018 study of 169 women who supplemented with CoQ10 had a 67% higher fertilization rate over the control group, and higher-quality embryos. In another investigation, a smaller group of women who took 600mg of CoQ10 showed an increase in pregnancy rates.
Male Fertility
It's estimated that between 30 to 80 percent of infertility is linked to oxidative stress. In men, CoQ10's strong antioxidant qualities come into play by protecting sperm quality, mobility, and concentration levels. For example, three trials of 149 men revealed a 58% increase in their sperm concentration levels. Sperm count has been linked to better fertility rates, which is why supplementing with CoQ10 daily is one of BINTO's recommendations for men who are trying to have a baby.
What are the benefits of CoQ10?
Because it's a potent antioxidant that plays a vital role in producing energy for your body, CoQ10 has a wealth of wellness benefits, including:
- Protection against cell damage from oxidative stress
- Improved outcomes for chronic heart failure
- Decreased insulin resistance in Type II diabetes
- Reduced risk for certain types of cancers
- Better long-term cognitive outcomes
- Increased fertility, especially as you age
- Glowing, healthy skin
Who should take CoQ10?
CoQ10 is a powerful nutrient to help manage your health, and that's why there are several groups that can benefit from adding a regular supplement to their daily healthcare regime:
1. CoQ10 is great if you're interested in increasing your energy levels and elevating your body's overall functioning, especially as you age. Production of the enzyme naturally declines as you grow older, and this can lead to a variety of health issues, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease, cardiovascular deterioration, and diabetes. Adding a regular CoQ10 supplement has been shown to cut your risk for several chronic illnesses.
2. Athletes take CoQ10 because it can assist with reducing the inflammation that is common after exercise or injury. In addition, its role in energy production led to a study of its effects on 100 athletes, where it was found to increase athletic performance "significantly."
3. If you use statin medications for cholesterol or other issues, CoQ10 depletion can occur because they interfere with the synthesis of one of the acids needed for its production. That's why people experiencing side effects from statins have reported positive outcomes when adding it to their healthcare arsenal.
4. It's also shown success as a natural therapeutic supplement for those with reduced CoQ10 levels due to breast cancer and heart disease, or for people experiencing nutritional deficiencies from poor diet, genetic abnormalities, or other factors.
CoQ10 can also be found in moderate levels in some foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, and nuts. Adding supplements can help you better control your dosage and enhance your absorption rates for more balanced wellness.
How Do I Take CoQ10?
CoQ10 is a liquid that is lipid-soluble. This means that it dissolves in fats. However, the human body is on average about 60% water. That's why most supplements are put into capsules and then coated with a protective carrier oil for better absorption.
Your dosage of ubiquinone and ubiquinol depends on your wellness needs and your unique chemical makeup. Although it's considered safe to take up to 1000mg a day of CoQ10, healthcare practitioners typically recommend supplementing with about 90-200mg per day. Research indicates that some health issues like migraines and infertility may benefit from slightly higher daily doses of this potent enzyme.
Here at BINTO, we infuse high-quality ingredients and state of the art scientific breakthroughs into the creation of all our supplements to help you:
- Better Manage your Health Scorecard
- Reduce Your Risk for Debilitating Health Conditions
- Improve Your Treatment Outcomes
We're here for you, whether you're experiencing issues with infertility, heart health, energy levels, or just want to improve your overall health. Reach out today and a BINTO in-house expert will get started on finding you the perfect, personalized package of supplements to boost your CoQ10 levels and naturally nourish your mind-body wellness.