Why CoQ10 is crucial to mitochondria and overall health benefits

Mitochondria are essentially independent organisms (primitive bacteria) that merged with our cells eons ago. Some have called this merger “the grand bargain of life.” That is, the mitochondria “agree” to produce the energy the human organism needs (in the form of ATP), and in return, the human cell provides the mitochondria with the antioxidants it needs to protect itself from the damage that would otherwise occur from all this energy production. Even though the general understanding of the role of ATP has evolved over time, these basic principles still hold true.

CoQ10 is the primary antioxidant the human cell provides to protect and support mitochondria. Without this vital molecule, the level of ATP that the mitochondria produce drops, and the energy available to that tissue decreases. This lack of antioxidants can also put the cell at risk of oxidative stress, accelerating the aging process.

CoQ10 production slows down as we age, and along with this, it can be depleted by environmental toxins such as pesticide residues, or cigarette smoke.

While seemingly innocuous, statin medications are prescribed to over 200 million people worldwide to support their cardiac health. Statins are primarily used to control cholesterol levels, and while they have been a revolutionary tool in the medicine cabinet, they have also been linked to reduced CoQ10 levels.

However, taking oral CoQ10 doesn’t always provide an adequate solution. Why is that?

While CoQ10 is a marvellous gift from the body to mitochondria, it is also a large fat-loving molecule. It has relatively poor bioavailability and to put it simply, it isn’t very useful to our mitochondria unless it can get deep into our cells and past the mitochondrial membrane. When our body makes it’s own CoQ10, it is made in two parts first, the head, then the tail. These pieces of the molecule are brought into the mitochondria separately and then pieced together once they are past the mitochondrial membrane. This happens because the mitochondrial membrane is tightly regulated.

So, when you take fully-formed CoQ10 as a supplement, its large structure is mostly unable to enter the mitochondria, meaning you need to take a relatively large dose or a highly bioavailable form.

As is often the case with medicine and supplements, it is not so simple to find the right solutions that addresses the root causes of aging. Challenges such as absorption and getting the nutrient to the right place in the body need to be solved.

Understanding this issue, Professor Mike Murphy and Robert Smith from Otago University set out to develop a new generation of CoQ10. These molecules, known as mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, are designed to penetrate the mitochondria and increase the antioxidant capacity of the cell. Their final version was developed into Mitoquinol Mesylate, MitoQ’s foundational antioxidant molecule.

Mitoquinol still retains the same antioxidant head as CoQ10 but it has a shorter carbon chain and a positively charged tail. This tail allows Mitoquinol to be pulled electrochemically through the negative membranes of the cells and the mitochondria. There, it accumulates in the mitochondrial membrane and protects the organelle from reactive oxygen species and membrane damage, supporting clean energy production.

Mitoquinol has been studied in over 24 human clinical trials and has been clinically shown to:

• Decrease excess reactive oxygen species by up to 48%¹

• Reduce exercise-induced DNA damage²

• Increase internal antioxidant defences such as catalase³ and glutathione peroxidase¹ by up to 36%

• Improve endothelial function and improve vasodilation by up to 42%⁴

• Improve blood flow⁴

• Reduce aortic stiffness⁴

• Improve exercise performance⁵, mobility⁶, and muscle power⁵

Through the years, as research on the crucial role of CoQ10 in protecting mitochondrial function has evolved, so, too, has the search for a way to ensure that the CoQ10 we ingest actually finds its way to support mitochondria.

Summary

In summary, CoQ10 plays a vital role in supporting mitochondrial function and overall health. This powerful antioxidant protects mitochondria, which are responsible for producing cellular energy in the form of ATP. As CoQ10 levels naturally decline with age, supplementation may be beneficial. However, traditional CoQ10 supplements face absorption challenges. Advanced forms like MitoQ® Mitoquinol aim to improve delivery of CoQ10 directly to the mitochondria, potentially enhancing its effectiveness in supporting energy production.