Many friends have consulted Huazi about coenzyme Q10. Most of them are not sure whether they need supplements, but when they see others taking it, they follow suit. What effects can it have on the body?

Hua Zi said that coenzyme Q10 is an essential nutrient for the human body. It participates in the energy metabolism of cell mitochondria and can also fight oxidative stress. If coenzyme Q10 is lacking, it may affect the energy supply of cells. Muscle cells such as skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle in the human body consume more energy and are easily affected, and even abnormal heart function may occur.

1. Coenzyme Q10, which is usually not lacking

Coenzyme Q10 is very important to the human body, but the human body can synthesize Coenzyme Q10 by itself , accounting for about 75% of the total amount, and the remaining 25% is taken from food. Animal foods such as meat and fish, as well as nuts, are rich in Coenzyme Q10. In other words, healthy people who can eat normally will hardly lack Coenzyme Q10.

Therefore, it is meaningless for healthy people to supplement Coenzyme Q10 , just like adding more water to a cup that is already full of water, which will only overflow and waste. Only the elderly, those with chronic diseases, digestive disorders, abnormal liver function, etc., may have low Coenzyme Q10 levels and need additional supplementation.

2. What is the role of Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 has two functions. One is to participate in the mitochondrial energy metabolism process and act as a "hydrogen transfer body". In layman's terms, Coenzyme Q10 is like a courier, responsible for transporting and transferring energy. Therefore, the concentration of Coenzyme Q10 is higher in the "energy-consuming" parts of the human body such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Another function of coenzyme Q10 is to fight oxidative stress and remove free radicals in the body, thereby protecting lipid peroxidation, inhibiting protein inactivation and oxidative damage to DNA. It has an auxiliary therapeutic effect on diseases related to atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative changes, inflammatory reactions, etc.

3. When do you need to supplement Coenzyme Q10?

As the human body ages, the ability to synthesize coenzyme Q10 gradually decreases. When the body's synthesis is seriously insufficient, it may cause problems with cellular energy supply. Myocardial cells are most easily affected , with symptoms such as decreased contractility and arrhythmia.

A lack of coenzyme Q10 may also cause problems with energy metabolism in brain cells, leading to lactic acid accumulation and increased oxidative stress, leading to migraines .

Long-term use of statins may lead to reduced coenzyme Q10 levels and may cause adverse reactions such as muscle pain .

Therefore, supplementing with coenzyme Q10 may play a role in preventing and improving conditions such as heart failure, migraine, and myalgia caused by statins. However, the conclusions of multiple studies are inconsistent and there are many controversies, so coenzyme Q10 is only used as an auxiliary treatment and cannot replace therapeutic drugs .

4. How to safely supplement Coenzyme Q10

The MSD Diagnostic and Treatment Manual recommends that when used for auxiliary treatment, the recommended dose of coenzyme Q10 is 100~300 mg per day, taken in 1~3 times.

It should be noted that Coenzyme Q10 is fat-soluble, and its absorption rate can be improved when taken with fat-containing foods (such as meat and nuts). It is not recommended to take it on an empty stomach , as the absorption effect is reduced on an empty stomach, and it is easy to cause stomach discomfort and diarrhea.

Coenzyme Q10 combined with L-carnitine can increase the energy supply; Coenzyme Q10 combined with vitamin E can increase the antioxidant effect. Coenzyme Q10 may affect the coagulation effect of warfarin, so the combination of the two is not recommended .

In summary, Coenzyme Q10 is an essential nutrient for the human body. If it is deficient, it may affect the energy supply of muscle cells. However, healthy people who can eat normally usually do not have a deficiency, so blind supplementation is not recommended. If you are suffering from chronic diseases or elderly people, and there is a possibility of deficiency, it is recommended to supplement after evaluation by a doctor.

If you have any questions about medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. I am pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.