Ubiquinol vs CoQ10: how are they different?

The human body is composed of billions of different molecules that work to support an ongoing series of events within you, daily – keeping you healthy. Many molecules have significant differences like proteins and lipids. They differ in both chemical composition and general structure.

While there are molecules that have glaringly obvious differences, there are some that only differ slightly yet they have very different functions within the body. One such example is that between ubiquinol and CoQ10. CoQ10 is one of the body’s best natural resources – but it declines with age, which is where ubiquinol and CoQ10 supplementation come in. Most CoQ10 and ubiquinol supplements can’t get into mitochondria (your cellular powerhouses) in meaningful doses – it’s an issue that affects human health globally – the less CoQ10 a person has, the less energy their body has to support them. The good news is, in the 1990s – scientists created a highly bioavailable form of CoQ10 that can enter mitochondria in meaningful dosage – but we’ll get into that later.

Often times CoQ10 and ubiquinol are utilized interchangeably and while they are very similar, they serve different functions within the body.

Below is a deeper look into how these two molecules differ as well as the science behind reduction-oxidation reactions and how they can impact your health.

Having a more thorough understanding of CoQ10 and its derivatives can ensure you know what exactly you are getting when looking to support your cellular health through supplements.

Redox reactions

Chemistry is a huge part of the human body and understanding health. Understanding the basics of chemistry in the body does not require a chemistry degree and is actually a fairly easy concept to grasp.

An important type of reaction within the human body is known as the redox reaction. Redox reactions stand for reduction-oxidation reactions. At its most basic level, redox reactions are a reaction in which two molecules interact and transfer electrons from one molecule to another. The molecule that is the oxidizing agent takes electrons from the other molecule while a reducing agent gives electrons to the other molecule.

There are a number of examples of redox reactions occurring within the body but one of the most prominent is during the process known as cellular respiration, where your cells create the energy source of the cell known as ATP from carbohydrates and oxygen.

One of the most notorious redox reactions is those caused by radical oxidative species (ROS) within the body. ROS is considered a highly unstable oxidizing agent that will take electrons from nearby structures and molecules when left unchecked. This results in a condition known as oxidative stress: an event that alters your body’s ability to perform at its best in all areas from sports performance, mental focus and overall energy production.. Studies have even suggested that oxidative stress can impact fertility.

When oxidative stress occurs, your body will draw on its antioxidant resources: antioxidants act as a reducing agent and can help to keep free radicals at bay and from causing damage – essentially, they work away to keep your cells healthy.

How redox reactions impact the body

While it is interesting to know more about the reactions occurring at a cellular level with redox reactions, ultimately understanding how these small changes can lead to larger issues for your health and wellness is equally as important.

Below is a closer look at the ways that redox balance plays an important role in your overall health and how oxidative stress can impact your overall health and wellbeing.

DNA

DNA is a vital cellular molecule that provides a detailed set of instructions for how to build proteins and how to make them. DNA is a molecule that is highly protected within the human body as DNA malfunction can lead to a number of potentially life-threatening conditions such as cancer.

Oxidative stress is a condition that can threaten DNA safety as reactive oxygen species may interact with the DNA molecule and steal electrons off of its structure.

Luckily there are a number of DNA repair mechanisms in our cells, but ultimately it can only repair so much, and if oxidative stress is persistent enough it can lead to DNA damage and the potential for a number of detrimental health outcomes.

Heart health

Recent studies have looked into the potential implications of increases in oxidative stress and one finding was that it can have negative impacts on overall heart health.

MitoQ +heart is a great way to support optimal heart help while also supporting your mitochondria against free radicals. When you consistently take two capsules per day (10mg serving), MitoQ +heart can effectively provide your heart with support on the cellular level to help combat oxidative stress and give it a combination of complementary heart health ingredients.

Brain health

The brain consumes a large amount of your daily energy requirements because it is constantly on and working to keep you alive. The mitochondria within the brain are some of the busiest as they constantly need to be turning over ATP. Mitochondria that are impacted by oxidative stress can begin to decrease mitochondrial efficiency - and in the brain, this is not ideal.

MitoQ curcumin is a supplement tailor-made with ingredients to help support optimal brain health and function while also helping to restore mitochondrial efficiency by giving it a vital membrane antioxidant. It contains MitoQ Mitoquinol as well as Longvida® Optimized Curcumin®*, an ingredient that research has shown can support mood and memory. Since MitoQ Mitoquinol can readily pass through the blood-brain barrier it makes it a great antioxidant supplement for helping the brain ward off oxidative stress – helping you to perform at your mental best.

*Longvida® Optimized Curcumin® is a registered trademark of Verdure Sciences Inc.

Ubiquinol vs. CoQ10

Within the human body, there are molecules that play important roles in multiple derived states.

A prime example of this is the energy molecules AMP, ADP, and ATP. All of these molecules are derived from the same molecule but differ in the number of phosphates attached to the molecule.

ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate. ADP and AMP are adenosine di- and monophosphate, respectively. Phosphate groups convey energy at a cellular level and ATP is utilized to assist many cellular functions. When ATP is spent it then becomes ADP which can have another phosphate cleaved for energy or it can be recharged by adding back a phosphate group.

There is a similar relationship between ubiquinol and CoQ10, also known as ubiquinone. As opposed to a different number of phosphates, the forms of CoQ10 differ based on oxidation states.

CoQ10 comes in three distinct oxidation states, and those are ubiquinol, ubisemiquinone, and ubiquinone.

Ubiquinol is the most reduced form of CoQ10 and is the form that has the most antioxidant power. Ubiquinone on the other hand provides the mitochondria with an electron shuttle to help create ATP.

Below is a closer look at the different functions of the ubiquinone family of molecules. Understanding what forms of ubiquinone can be important in ensuring that the supplements you are buying have the desired effects you are looking for.

Lipid soluble antioxidant

Ubiquinol has antioxidant properties which means it can act as a reducing agent and help to neutralize reactive oxygen species. The unique structure of ubiquinol allows the molecule to be integrated into the membranes of the body. This provides a layer of protection against oxidative damage.

The oxidative protective effects of ubiquinol make it an important molecule in the fight against free radicals and reactive oxygen species. One of its most important protective roles is within the mitochondrial membrane where oxidative agents are frequently produced as a result of aerobic respiration.

Having ubiquinol at the ready helps to prevent the mitochondria from feeling the effects of oxidative stress such as reduced efficiency.

Electron shuttle

The mitochondria are a structure that coordinates highly specific and delicate chemical reactions. It is responsible for the conversion of carbohydrates and oxygen into ATP and carbon dioxide. To accomplish this the mitochondria utilize a number of different redox reactions, and one of the most important of these is the electron transport chain.

The electron transport chain can be thought of as a series of redox reactions that occur within the mitochondrial membrane one after another, essentially allowing electrons to pass in a chain-like way. This movement of electrons allows for the mitochondria to actively pump hydrogen ions into its intermembrane space. The high concentration of hydrogen ions is then the driving force for ATP synthase to create ATP from ADP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's a main difference between CoQ10 and ubiquinol?

A: CoQ10 (ubiquinone) is the oxidized form, while ubiquinol is the reduced form of the same molecule.

Q: Why might someone choose Mitoquinol over standard CoQ10 supplements?

A: Mitoquinol is designed to be more bioavailable, with up to 1000 times greater effectiveness at entering mitochondria compared to standard CoQ10 supplements. This improved delivery may result in better support for mitochondrial and overall cellular health.

Q: How does oxidative stress affect the body?

A: Oxidative stress can negatively impact various aspects of health, including DNA integrity, heart health, and brain function. It occurs when there's an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, potentially leading to cellular damage.

Q: Can CoQ10 or ubiquinol supplements help with exercise performance?

A: Research suggests that Mitoquinol, a modified form of CoQ10, may support exercise performance. By targeting mitochondrial health, these supplements might help energy production and reduce oxidative stress associated with intense physical activity.

Q: How do redox reactions relate to CoQ10 and cellular health?

A: Redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions are fundamental to CoQ10's function in the body. These reactions involve the transfer of electrons between molecules. CoQ10 participates in redox reactions within the mitochondrial electron transport chain, helping to produce cellular energy (ATP). Understanding these reactions is key to grasping how CoQ10 and its derivatives support overall cellular health.

Best supplement to support mitochondria

Both CoQ10 and ubiquinol are derived from the same core molecule and because of this, they have many of the same properties.If you are in the market for a means of supporting cellular health and mitochondrial health, CoQ10 can be an option many people consider. One of the downsides of CoQ10 supplements is that they suffer from low bioavailability, which essentially means that the body has a difficult time with the absorption and implementation of where it needs to go.MitoQ, with its many benefits, is the answer to help solve the problem of low bioavailability plagued by traditional CoQ10 supplements. MitoQ is up to 1000 times more effective at entering the mitochondria rather than standard CoQ10 supplements. This is possible because it’s been made smaller and a positive charge has been added that allows it to more readily cross membranes and integrate where it is needed most.MitoQ can help support optimal mitochondrial function by combating free radical damage and helping to restore oxidative balance. In addition to supporting cardiovascular health, research has shown that MitoQ can support exercise performance, sports recovery, fight cell stress and do so much more for your overall health and wellbeing – there are more than 700 research papers published on our unique molecule.

Conclusion

Ubiquinol is the more reduced form of CoQ10. Ubiquinol contains more electrons which allows it to act as a lipid-soluble antioxidant that is able to protect cellular structures and membranes from oxidative damage.

CoQ10 on the other hand is the most oxidized form and it is an important molecule in the electron transport chain.

Both molecules are important within the body and play specific and distinct roles as directors of your overall health.