What is it?
Ubiquinol, an electron-rich (reduced) form of Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone), is the ultimate energy boosting supplement. It's the active antioxidant form of CoQ10 ready for immediate use by the body. It is required for 95% of the body's cells energy production so it boosts every cell in the body making the most of the energy provided by the food you eat. But by taking this supplement is increasing level of energy that the most of body can boost.
It is well-established that CoQ10 is not well absorbed into the body.
Ubiquinol has its CoQ10 molecules dissolved in lipid micelles, which then deliver their cargo to the plasma membrane in the intestinal wall. There they dissolve via simple diffusion into the intestinal cells, then onto the lymphatic vessels, then into the venous system. Since Ubiquinol and CoQ10 are redox pairs and are rapidly inter-converted in the body, it's not clear that Ubiqinol's more hydrophilic nature compared to CoQ10 is of practical significance.
In foods, there are varying amounts of Ubiquinol. An analysis of a range of foods (in the Japanese diet) found it to be present in 66 out of 70 items and accounted for 46% of the total Coenzyme Q10 intake . The following chart is a sample of the results.
| Food | Ubiquinol (μg/g) | Coenzyme Q10(μg/g) |
|---|---|---|
| Beef (shoulder) | 5.36 | 25 |
| Beef (liver) | 40.1 | 0.4 |
| Pork (shoulder) | 25.4 | 19.6 |
| Pork (thigh) | 2.63 | 11.2 |
| Chicken (breast) | 13.8 | 3.24 |
| Mackerel | 0.52 | 10.1 |
| Tuna (canned) | 14.6 | 0.29 |
| Yellowtail | 20.9 | 12.5 |
| Broccoli | 3.83 | 3.17 |
| Parsley | 5.91 | 1.57 |
| Orange | 0.88 | 0.14 |
Ubiquinol May Help Slow Aging & Fight Chronic Disease
Ubiquinol isn't just for those taking statins. Against diseases such as Huntington's and Parkinson's in particular, Ubiquinol has been found to slow progression of the disease. Research over the years has looked into its benefits for diseases such as:More than 30 million Americans are now taking statin cholesterol-lowering drugs, but the majority are completely unaware that if you take statin drugs without taking CoQ10 (and particularly its reduced form, Ubiquinol), your health is at serious risk.
Alzheimer's disease Huntington's disease Periodontal disease Parkinson's disease ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease) Renal disease
Statins lower your CoQ10 levels by blocking the pathway involved in cholesterol production - the same pathway by which Q10 is produced. Statins also reduce the blood cholesterol that transports CoQ10 and other fat-soluble antioxidants.
The loss of CoQ10 leads to loss of cell energy and increased free radicals which, in turn, can further damage your mitochondrial DNA, effectively setting into motion an evil circle of increasing free radicals and mitochondrial damage.
Despite all this overwhelming evidence and research, there are no official FDA-required warnings regarding CoQ10 depletion from taking statin drugs, and nearly all physicians fail to inform you about this problem if you are taking statins.
As your body gets more and more depleted of CoQ10, you may suffer from fatigue, muscle weakness and soreness, and eventually heart failure. So if you’re taking statin drugs, it’s imperative that you take CoQ10 or preferably, Ubiquinol, the reduced, electron-rich form of coenzyme Q10.
Telomeres are an essential part of human cells that affect how our cells age.
Telomere (tel-uh-meer) from the Greek telos (end) and meros (part)
Telomeres are the caps at the end of each strand of DNA that protect our chromosomes, like the plastic tips at the end of shoelaces. Without the coating, shoelaces become frayed until they can no longer do their job, just as without telomeres, DNA strands become damaged and our cells can’t do their job.
Without the protection from telomeres, our cells age and die. Telomere shortening is involved in all aspects of the aging process on a cellular level. Telomere length represents our biological age as opposed to our chronological age.
Telomeres & Coenzyme-Q10
CoQ10 is the compound that gives your mitochondria the power to energize every cell in your body.
This is crucial to the aging process, because when your cells and telomeres are starved of energy, they age faster.
CoQ10 is essential for people who:
- Are concerned about the pumping power of your heart…
- Want to support your brain and ensure a continuous supply of energy…
- Are having those “senior moments”…
- Want to support a strong immune system…
- Know you don’t have the energy you used to and need an extra boost to keep going…
Telomeres & Ubiquinol
Ubiquinol is eight times more powerful than ubiquinone (CoQ10), so you only need one-eighth as much.
SUMMARY
CoQ10, or co-enzyme Q10, is a vitamin-like substance present in nearly every cell, tissue and organ of our body. "CoQ10 is an important factor in the generation of energy and is found in high concentrations in tissues such as the liver and muscle,” explains Professor Gordon Ferns at the University of Keele.
It can also be found in different food groups. Meat and fish are the richest source of CoQ10, although cooking by frying can considerably reduce its effectiveness. Vegetable oil is also fairly rich in CoQ10.
Two forms of CoQ10
The two best known forms of CoQ10 are: ubiquinone and Ubiquinol.
Ubiquinone: Up to 90% of CoQ10 in the blood is in this form. Although our body naturally produces this form of CoQ10, it needs to convert it into a usable form to help provide antioxidant protection and generate energy. This usable form is known as Ubiquinol.
Ubiquinol: The usable, antioxidant version of CoQ10. In this form, CoQ10 could help fight free radicals which could damage our cells and affect our health. The antioxidant action of Ubiquinol is considered to be one of the most important functions in cellular systems
Ubiquinone: Up to 90% of CoQ10 in the blood is in this form. Although our body naturally produces this form of CoQ10, it needs to convert it into a usable form to help provide antioxidant protection and generate energy. This usable form is known as Ubiquinol.
Ubiquinol: The usable, antioxidant version of CoQ10. In this form, CoQ10 could help fight free radicals which could damage our cells and affect our health. The antioxidant action of Ubiquinol is considered to be one of the most important functions in cellular systems
As we get older we convert ubiquinone into usable Ubiquinol less efficiently. Plus, a lack of CoQ10 in the body can lead to chronic fatigue and muscle pains.
Ubiquinone has been available in supplement form for a long time; however, it still requires the body to convert it into Ubiquinol. Recent developments have resulted in Ubiquinol, now also being available as a supplement. In this form, the body doesn’t need to convert it and as such, it can be absorbed and used by the body immediately.
References: Judy Willeam, Kubo, Hiroshi; Fujii, Kenji; Kawabe, Taizo; Matsumoto, Shuka; Kishida, Hideyuki; Hosoe, Kazunori (2008). Dr.Marcola, Professor Gordon Ferns.
