Is Coenzyme Q10 really anti-aging? How do punk health people take it scientifically
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is found in every cell of our body.
The highest levels are found in mitochondria, the power stations of our cells. 1
With age, mitochondrial function and CoQ10 synthesis decline, leading to a range of degenerative diseases. 2, 3
Studies have shown that coQ10 supplementation can improve mitochondrial function and organ performance. 1, 4-8
As a defense agent against the attacks of aging, Coenzyme Q10 has been shown to inhibit factors associated with almost all chronic diseases. 1, 6
Coenzyme Q10 Improve heart function
Coq10 is not new to heart health. 1,9,10 It has been prescribed in Japan for decades to treat heart failure. Studies show it’s safe. 11 A recent review article provides preclinical and clinical evidence on the role of CoQ10 in preventing and alleviating heart disease, including: 1
• Prevents oxidized LDL cholesterol from accumulating in the arteries,
• Reduces blood vessel stiffness
• Improves the function of cells that line the inside of blood vessels.
Clinical studies have shown that taking coQ10 has significant benefits for the heart. One clinical trial evaluated the effect of coenzyme Q10 supplements on moderate to severe heart failure. Patients received either coQ10 or a placebo over a two-year period. Those who took 100 mg of CoQ10 three times a day had a significant 43 percent reduction in major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death, compared with the placebo group. 10 Both groups received standard drug therapy. In another study, heart attack survivors were randomly assigned to receive either coenzyme Q10 or an inefficient vitamin placebo. Compared with the placebo group, the group that took 120 mg of coQ10 daily for one year had a 45 percent reduction in total cardiac events and a 46 percent reduction in non-fatal heart attacks. 12 Statins used to lower LDL cholesterol further reduce coQ10 synthesis in the body. Those taking statins are often advised to supplement with coQ10. 13, 14
Counter aging brain function
Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to play a role in the development of brain aging diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. 15,16 Research suggests that coenzyme Q10 may help provide the following protection:
In patients with early-stage Parkinson’s disease, a daily dose of 1,200 mg/day of coenzyme Q10 reduced functional decline by 44% compared with placebo. 17
• A study of patients with Huntington’s disease, a progressive brain disorder, found that subjects who took 300 mg of coQ10 twice daily for a year tended to have less cognitive decline than a placebo group. 18
In mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, CoQ10 reduced the amount of beta-amyloid, a protein that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, and improved the animals’ cognitive and behavioral performance. 19
Reduce chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a driver of many different age-related chronic diseases. A meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled clinical trials concluded that coenzyme Q10 supplements can significantly reduce inflammatory markers. 21,22 Another meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials reported that coenzyme Q10 supplements significantly reduced markers of inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome. The authors describe the ability of coQ10 to inhibit oxidative stress while also improving blood sugar control and liver function. 23
CoQ10 promotes health and longevity
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is essential for mitochondria to produce energy.
Coq10 deficiency has been found in many age-related diseases and processes, including brain aging and cardiovascular disease.
• A clinical trial showed that oral coenzyme Q10 slowed age-related declines in vitality, physical functioning and health-related quality of life.
• Intake of CoQ10 can also help prevent cardiovascular disease through a variety of mechanisms.
One study showed that Coenzyme Q10 reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events (including heart attack, stroke and death) by 43% in patients with heart failure.
CoQ10 may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
CoQ10 has many other benefits, such as reducing skin wrinkles and improving lung function.
Reduce aging system indicators
CoQ10 has proven other benefits, including:
• Reduces wrinkles. One clinical trial showed that daily intake of Coenzyme Q10 (50 or 150 mg) significantly reduced skin wrinkles and improved skin smoothness compared to placebo. 4
• Improve physical fitness. The men were assigned to take either coenzyme Q10 (100 mg) or a placebo daily and then underwent a health test. The average power of those taking Coenzyme Q10 increased compared to placebo. 24
• Improved lung function. Patients with the lung disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who took 90 mg of Coenzyme Q10 daily for two months showed an improvement in heart rate, as well as an improvement in the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the blood during exercise, 8 and an improvement in hypoxemia (low blood oxygen) rest.
• In patients with asthma, oral coQ10 improves airflow. 25
Boost cell energy
Preclinical evidence suggests that coQ10 is particularly promising for addressing a key aging factor: mitochondrial dysfunction. 1,3,5,26-28 Mitochondria are responsible for energy production in our cells. 29 Damage to these structures can lead to aging, playing a role in a variety of age-related diseases and shortened lifespan. 3,5,27 Some of this damage is caused by oxidative stress. CoQ10 reduces oxidative stress in cells. 1,26 CoQ10 deficiency has been linked to increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, 30 while oral CoQ10 intake has shown evidence of protection against the aging process and the development of age-related diseases. 1,4,9,12,28CoQ10 slows common symptoms of aging, including decreased vitality, physical function, and quality of life. In one clinical trial, older participants received either a placebo or a combination of coenzyme Q10 and selenium. Participants took 200 milligrams of coenzyme Q10 and 200 micrograms of selenium daily. Over four years, those who took CoQ10 selenium showed improvements in health-related quality of life and an increase in the number of days they were discharged from hospital. 9
Benefits of CoQ10 supplementation
Whether you take it for energy, heart health, or to support your overall health, the good news is that adding CoQ10 to your daily supplement has many health benefits – many of which are especially important for aging people. Here are some of the most notable benefits:
1. Heart health benefits
Coq10 supplements are good for heart health, especially in terms of the amount of blood your heart pumps with each contraction – making them an excellent choice for those who want to support a healthy cardiovascular system.
2. Be energetic when you exercise
Not surprisingly, coQ10 supplements have been linked to better exercise performance; After all, we need coQ10 for cellular energy. In a double-blind controlled clinical study of 17 healthy patients, Coenzyme Q10 was evaluated against placebo to see if it could improve exercise performance while cycling. The results showed that Coenzyme Q10 supplements significantly increased maximum speed and inhibited general fatigue.
3. You have a bright personality
Healthy levels of coQ10 may help fight occasional episodes of depression – studies have found that CoQ10 supplements are associated with improved mood and emotional health.
4. Antioxidant All-Stars
Antioxidants fight free radicals and keep us in optimal health, and among the antioxidants, Coenzyme Q10 is a particularly powerful antioxidant. A meta-analysis of 17 trials with a total of 972 participants found that Coenzyme Q10 increased serum total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase (an antioxidant enzyme), and protected against malondialdehyde, an important marker of oxidative stress.
5. Youthful skin
According to the mitochondrial theory of aging, energy loss is one of the causes of age-related decline. Because CoQ10 can increase energy production, it can support healthier aging – and this can be seen in the skin. In a controlled trial, 33 women aged 45-60 were divided into groups to receive either coenzyme Q10 or a placebo. After 12 weeks, those who took CoQ10 showed significant improvements in skin wrinkles, skin elasticity and smoothness, while there was no significant change in placebo.
Coq10 alternatives: Other supplements to consider
Coq10 isn’t the only supplement that supports energy production, heart health, and provides antioxidant power – but it may be the only one that offers all of these benefits in one formula. Other options to consider include the antioxidants alpha-lipoic acid, L-carnitine (which supports optimal mitochondrial function as we age) and L-arginine (which has heart health benefits in addition to being a good energy supplement for athletes). If you are looking for an excellent all-around antioxidant, vitamin E is your best choice, which supports a healthy immune system, cognitive function, and more. What if your heart health goal is to support already healthy cholesterol levels or support a healthy inflammatory response? Consider taking a heart-healthy probiotic, which contains specific strains of probiotics that help maintain healthy cholesterol and C-reactive protein levels within normal ranges.
References:
1. Rabanal-Ruiz Y, Llanos-Gonzalez E, Alcain FJ. Application of coenzyme Q10 in cardiovascular diseases. Antioxidants (Basel). May 10, 2021; 10(5).
2. Barcelos IP, Hass RH. CoQ10 and aging. Biology (Basel). May 11, 2019; 8(2).
3. Haas RH. Mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and diseases of aging. Biology (Basel). June 17, 2019; 8(2).
4. Zmitek K, Pogacnik T, Mervic L, et al. Effects of dietary CoQ10 intake on skin parameters and conditions: results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Biological factors. January 2, 2017; 43(1) : 132-40.
5. Bratich A., Larson NG. The role of mitochondria in aging. J Clinical investment. March 2013; 123(3) : 951-7.
6. Dludla PV, Orlando P, Silvestri S et al. Coq10 supplementation increases adipokine levels and alleviates inflammation and lipid peroxidation in conditions of metabolic syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int J Mol Sci. May 4, 2020; 21(9).
7. Fan L, Feng Y, Chen GC, et al. Effects of Coenzyme Q10 supplements on markers of inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pharmacological research. 2017 May 1, 2017 /; 119:128-36.
8. Fujimoto S, Kurihara N, Hirata K, et al. Effects of coenzyme Q10 administration on lung function and exercise performance in patients with chronic lung disease. Clinical investigation. 1993; 71 (8 Supplement) : S162-6.
9. Johansson P, Dahlstrom O, Dahlstrom U, etc. Combined supplementation with selenium and coenzyme Q10 to improve health-related quality of life and extend hospital discharge days. Results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective study. J Nutr Healthy aging. November 2015; 19(9) : 870-7.
10. Mortensen SA, Rosenfeldt F, Kumar A, et al. Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on morbidity and mortality in chronic heart failure: Results from Q-SYMBIO: a randomized double-blind trial. JACC heart failure. December 2014; 2(6) : 641-9.
11. Hidaka T, Fujii K, Funahashi I, et al. Safety assessment of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Biological factors. In 2008; 32 (1-4) : 199-208.
12. Singh RB, Neki NS, Kartikey K, etc. Effect of coenzyme Q10 on atherosclerosis risk in patients with recent myocardial infarction. Molecular cell biochemistry. In April 2003; 246(1-2) : 75-82.
13. Rundek T, Naini A, Sacco R, et al. Atorvastatin reduces blood levels of CoQ10 in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Arched neurons. June 2004; 61(6) : 889-92.
14. Deichmann R, Lavie C, Andrews S. Coq10 and statin induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Ochsner J. Spring 2010; 10(1):16-21.
15. Spindler M, Beal MF, Henchcliffe C. Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on neurodegenerative diseases. Neuropsychiatric treatment. 2009; 5:597-610.
16. Liu Jie, Wang Linna, Zhan Shiying, et al. Coq10 in Parkinson’s disease. Cochrane Database of systematic reviews. 2012 (5).
17. Shults CW, Oakes D, Kieburtz K, et al. Effect of CoQ10 on early Parkinson’s disease: evidence for slowing functional decline. Arch neuron. (a) October 2002; 59(10) : 1541-50.
18. HS Group. Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of CoQ10 and remacemide in Huntington’s disease. Neurology. (a) 14 August 2001; 57(3) : 397-404.
19. Dumont M, Kipiani K, Yu F, et al. Coq10 reduces amyloid pathology and improves behavior in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. J Alzheimer’s Disease. 2011; 27(1) : 211-23.
20. Chung HY, Kim DH, Lee EK, et al. Redefining chronic inflammation in aging and age-related diseases: The development of the concept of Senoinflammation
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