For over 30 years, only one form of CoQ10 was available in supplement form—Ubiquinone. But when another form of CoQ10 called Ubiquinol (or CoQH-10) was introduced a few years ago, it created some confusion and generated questions among consumers.

And since CoQ10 is now among the most popular supplements in the U.S. , ranking 4th after fish oil, multivitamins and Vitamin D, we wanted to address some of these questions here.

What is CoQ10 and why would I take it?

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring anti-oxidant compound in your body that is used for energy production within cells. It's manufactured in the heart, liver, kidney and pancreas.

The body normally produces sufficient CoQ10, although some medications such as statins may interfere with this process and CoQ10 levels in the body may decline with age.

Only small amounts of CoQ10 are available from food, mainly beef and chicken. This is why dietary supplements are the most common way to increase the body's CoQ10 levels.

As a supplement CoQ10 is widely used to support: energy production, antioxidant capacity, cardiovascular and immune health, and blood sugar metabolism.

What’s the difference between the two forms of CoQ10?

CoQ10 naturally exists in two forms in the body because it undergoes “redox chemistry” meaning that it flips back and forth between having two additional electrons and not having them. This is integral to its function in the body, as it transports a flow of electrons down a gradient to allow for chemical energy to be harnessed. This is the final step in changing our food into the energy that fuels our body.

So when we refer to CoQ10, it exists in one of two states:

Ubiquinol is the form with the extra electrons, which in chemistry-speak is called "reduced."
Ubiquinone is missing the electrons and is called “oxidized."

The presence of those electrons makes a big difference inside your body. This is what makes Ubiquinol more absorbable in the intestine. And, this form is the most preferred by the body for transport in the blood. At any given time about 90% of the CoQ10 in your body is Ubiquinol.

When Ubiquinone (CoQ10) is absorbed, it must first be converted to Ubiquinol in the body in order to be transported, a process some individuals do not perform well.

Which one should I take?

Ubiquinol's greater absorption, and the ability to have higher efficacy with a lower dose, is an attractive reason to choose this form over Ubiquinone. However, it’s higher cost may make it a better choice only for those who specifically need these advantages, such as people who have difficulty with the conversion of CoQ10 to Ubiquinol.

For others, Ubiquinone, the form of CoQ10 available for decades, may fill your needs.

It’s a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider if you’re not sure which form of CoQ10 is best for you.

Sources:

Natural Products Insider

ConsumerLab (subscription required)

A team of scientists from Tulane University reviewed evidence from 13 clinical trials studying the effectiveness of CoQ10 to promote healthy cardiovascular function.

According to their findings published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, CoQ10 supplements supported the heart’s ability to pump blood, as well as general heart health scores.

What is CoQ10?

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring substance in nearly every cell in your body that helps convert food into energy. It is also a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your body from free radicals.

In addition to cardiovascular health, CoQ10 has been studied for its role in cognitive function and healthy aging.

CoQ10 Sources

CoQ10 is primarily synthesized by the body and is also found in some foods. However, CoQ10 supplementation can be helpful as our levels decline with age and when taking certain drugs including statins, which are commonly prescribed for high cholesterol.

There are two primary forms of CoQ10 found in the body as well as in supplement form: Ubiquinone (CoQ10 in its oxidized state) and Ubiquinol (active antioxidant state). For over 30 years, only ubiquinone was available in supplement form. A few years ago, after a decade of research, scientists were able to stabilize the active antioxidant form of CoQ10, ubiquinol, for use in supplements.

As ubiquinol supplements are pre-converted to the active form of CoQ10, they are easily assimilated and utilized by the body. However, traditional CoQ10 supplements (ubiquinone) will continue to be an important supplement for those who want to maintain good health. Once ingested, a healthy body can absorb and convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol.

Sources:

NutraIngredients

University of Maryland Medical Center

Linus Pauling Institute

CNCA has added two new products to its growing line of premium quality supplements. Essential Brain Nutrition supports optimal mental performance and brain function and Ubiquinol CoQ10, is the “active” form of the energy producer and antioxidant CoQ10.

Essential Brain Nutrition

This specialty formula contains clinically proven ingredients that support mental focus, memory, learning, concentration and positive outlook, including:

Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) - is involved in producing cellular energy from long-chain fatty acids which are found in high concentrations in brain tissue.  ALCAR is also used in the formation of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. It promotes alert and responsive mental functioning and memory.

GlyceroPhosphoCholine (GPC) - is a natural building block of nerve and other cells. It has been shown to promote mental energy, focus, recall, verbal fluency and overall brain function in adults of all ages. GPC also facilitates the growth, maintenance and repair of new cell membranes in other tissues and organs as well.

PhosphatidylSerine (PS) - is part of the cell structure and is key in the maintenance of cellular function, especially in the brain.  PS helps you maintain focus, manage stress, and promotes normal language skills and memory.

Together, these compounds provide the ultimate formula to support brain health and cognitive function.

Ubiquinol CoQ10

The other new product, Ubiquinol, is the active form of CoQ10 that delivers many of the benefits that CoQ10 is known for: energy production, antioxidant capacity, cardiovascular and immune support, and blood sugar management.

Our Ubiquinol formula also utilizes a patented oil-based matrix that increases intestinal absorption.

Ubiquinone vs. Ubiquinol Supplements

For over 30 years, only one form of CoQ10 was available in supplement form—ubiquinone. Once ingested, a healthy body can absorb and convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol. A few years ago, after a decade of research, scientists were able to stabilize the active antioxidant form of CoQ10, ubiquinol, for use in supplements.

As ubiquinol supplements are pre-converted to the active form of CoQ10, it is easily assimilated and utilized by the body. However, traditional CoQ10 supplements (ubiquinone) will continue to be an important supplement for those who want to maintain good health.

Quality Assurance

As with every product, CNCA Essential Brain Nutrition and Ubiquinol meet CNCA superior quality standards that include third-party testing for purity, potency and authenticity.

Sources:

WebMD

Linus Pauling Institute - L-Carnitine

WebMD

Linus Pauling Institute - CoQ10

University of Maryland

Mayo Clinic

Because our friends at ConsumerLab.com do a great service on behalf of their subscribers and the public to warn consumers about potency and purity -- just two of the many quality issues related to supplements -- we really pay attention when they issue the results of studies, like this latest one that surveyed some 6,000 subscribers about their buying habits.

No surprise, a majority of respondents use multiple supplements, with omega-3 rich fish oil topping the list at 75.7 percent, followed by multivitamins (70.1 percent), vitamin D (56.2 percent), calcium (55.3 percent) and CoQ10 (53 percent).

The biggest surprises among the top 5: Vitamin D supplementation rose by a whopping 52 percent from nearly 37 percent in 2008, while the use of multivitamins fell over that same time from nearly 74 percent. Perhaps, the surge in vitamin D supplementation may be partly explained by the fact that almost 65 percent of seniors (age 75-84) take it.

One more interesting fact we gleaned from the survey: More people are buying their supplements online than they did two years ago by some 14 percent to 46.2 percent, which tells us more of you are feeling comfortable investing the time it takes to do your homework and finding answers to the questions you should be asking every time you consider taking one.

Orlando Sentinel February 1, 2011

San Francisco Chronicle/PRWeb February 1, 2011

Yahoo Health February 4, 2011