b'The Importance of CoQ10: Ubiquinone and UbiquinolBY MICHAEL LEVESQUE, NHF BOARD MEMBERC idealQ10(CoQ10)isEnzyme Institute by Fred L. Crane andbody into ubiquinol, the potent anti-oenzyme annutrient for all ofcolleagues. Since 1960, universities andoxidant portion of CoQ10. Ubiquinol us.Itaffectsourenergyresearchers have published thousandsinhibitsproteinandlipidoxidation and longevity, heart health,of articles in medical journals demon- in cell membranes and helps to min-blood pressure, brain, gums, stomach,strating CoQ10s benefits and impor- imizeoxidativeinjurytoDNA,re-immunesystem,cellularenergy,andtance. In 1978, Peter D. Mitchell wonsulting in significant benefit to human much more. It is an enzyme found inthe Nobel Prize for Chemistry for hishealth. However, as we age, our abil-almosteverycellinthebody,wherediscovery of the significance of CoQ10itytomakethisconversiondeclines it helps with the production of energyin energy production. significantly. Thereinliesthemajor within the mitochondria. There is evenThe organs with the highest CoQ10difference between the two forms of evidence that it can increase the vol- concentration are the heart, lungs, andCoQ10. Ubiquinol, the preferred form ume of oxygen in the blood by as muchliver. Ninety-five percent of our bodysfor aged populations, is already in its as 15%. energyrequirementsdependuponreduced, more bioavailable form as a CoQ10. CoQ10 is heavily concentratedpotent antioxidant without a threshold The Major Benefits ofin the heart where it benefits cardio- forassimilation.Althoughproduced CoQ10 to General Health vascular function (see the case studyin healthy humans, from the age of 40 below). yearsonwardCoQ10productionbe-Our cells require CoQ10 to functionCoQ10hasbeenanaidtopeoplegins declining, with supplementation properly and without it, the cells perish.withhighbloodpressure,pepticul- often necessary.It is a strong antioxidant in both the cellscers,periodontaldisease,migraine mitochondriaandlipidmembranes.headaches, muscular dystrophy, and ofImportant Case Study CoQ10 is located exactly where the freecourse heart disease. CoQ10 also aids inon Ubiquinol Reportedradicals are generated (in the mitochon- slowing down the aging process, stimu- Hereisacasestudyreceivedby dria) during the oxidation of nutrientslating the immune system and protect- Kaneka, the manufacturer of a natu-and the production of ATP (adenosineing brain cells. As we age, the dopamineral,pharmaceutical-gradeubiquinol triphosphate), making it an importantproduction within the brain decreases,and ubiquinone:factor in slowing and counteracting theimpairing our memory and movement.A65-year-oldgentlemanwith aging process. ATP is the cell moleculeCoQ10 helps offset these ill effects. advancedischemiccardiomyopathy found and used in all living things thatwas on maximal medical therapy. In carries energy within cells. It is the endThe Difference betweenJune of 2006, he had low heart func-productoftheprocessofphotophos- Ubiquinone and Ubiquinol tion and was receiving 450 mg of a phorylationusing light energy to add aCoQ10 is currently known to comesoybean-oil-basedCoQ10thatre-phosphate group to a molecule. It is alsoin two forms: ubiquinone and ubiqui- vealed a level that was sub-therapeu-essential for cellular respiration and fer- nol. Ubiquinone is the product most fa- tic. He was then given the ubiquinol mentation. miliar to us since it has been available informulationatthesamedosageof the marketplace for a long time and re- 450 mg per day. Three months later, History of CoQ10 search has shown its benefits especiallyin September of 2006, his CoQ10 lev-CoQ10wasdiscoveredin1957atin relation to Vitamin E. elhadincreaseddramatically.Fur-the University of Wisconsin-MadisonUbiquinone is converted within ourthertestsonemonthlatershowed H ealtHF reedomN ews /F all2022 17NHF_40-3_Linda_11-25-2022.indd 17 11/25/22 8:02 AM'