Coenzyme Q against aging. Let’s eat meat!
Coenzyme Q is found in the body in cell membranes and the membranes of intracellular organelles, especially in the membranes of mitochondria.
Mitochondria are often referred to as the energy stations of cells. After all, the main function of mitochondria is the synthesis of ATP – the universal form of chemical energy necessary for the biosynthesis of proteins, active transport of molecules, processes of division, etc., in any living cell.
It is here that the processes of cellular respiration and oxidative phosphorylation occur – the oxidation of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates with the accumulation of the energy released in the high-energy bonds of ATP molecules. In other words, the normal functioning of any cell in the body completely depends on mitochondria. Perhaps that is why a number of scientists believe that the cause of cell aging (as well as the aging of the entire organism) is an energy crisis that arises from damage to these organelles.
It is no coincidence that one of the theories of aging is the mitochondrial theory, which logically explains age-related changes as failures in the energy metabolism of cells.
How is this energy metabolism carried out?
Large enzyme complexes are embedded in the inner membrane of the mitochondria, among which small molecules of coenzyme Q and cytochromes C float. All these compounds form the respiratory chain, which provides the oxidation process – the transfer of electrons from biological substrates to molecular oxygen. Simultaneously with the electrons, protons are also transferred across the mitochondrial membrane. As a result of these two processes, water is formed:
The transport of protons and electrons along the respiratory chain is ensured by the potential difference between its components. Each increase in potential by 0.16 V releases enough energy for the synthesis of one ATP molecule from ADP and H3PO4. When one molecule of O2 is consumed, 3 molecules of ATP are formed.
All these processes occur in normally functioning cells.
When there are failures in the functioning of the respiratory chain (such failures can be caused by oxidative stress, hypoxia, mutations in mitochondrial DNA, accumulation of toxic products, etc.), instead of water, a superoxide anion radical may be formed:
The superoxide anion radical can initiate an avalanche-like mechanism of lipid peroxidation, in which more and more molecules are involved, leading to an increase in the concentration of hydroperoxides and other aggressive molecules that damage lipid, protein, and nucleic acid molecules, with polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are part of membrane phospholipids, being particularly vulnerable. As a result of their peroxidation, the hydrophobicity of the phospholipid bilayer is disrupted, and its passive permeability to ions sharply increases. All this leads to structural and functional disturbances in the membrane.
Coenzyme Q (= ubiquinone) was considered only a few years ago as an essential component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Chemically, it is a 2,3-benzohydroquinone with an isoprenoid chain at the 6th position. In human mitochondria, only ubiquinone with 10 isoprenoid units is found, which is why it is called coenzyme Q10.
It can also be added that in mitochondrial membranes, coenzyme Q acts not only as a scavenger of free radicals that initiate lipid peroxidation. It also forms a complex with alpha-tocopherol that protects mitochondria from damage and can restore alpha-tocopherol when necessary.
Due to its lipophilic properties and solubility in membranes, it does this much more effectively than another well-known tocopherol reducer – vitamin C.
Ubiquinone itself does not need to be reduced: there are special enzyme systems in the cell for its reduction.
In recent years, it has been discovered that a deficiency of coenzyme Q10 can be the cause of many pathologies in the human body, including premature aging. This is primarily related to the fact that with a lack of ubiquinone, the number of free radicals sharply increases in cells, formed during attacks on lipid molecules (especially fatty acids that are part of phospholipids), proteins, and nucleic acids by superoxide anion radicals.
Just as the destruction of a bridge begins with the rusting of the rebar and crumbling of the concrete (especially of poor quality), the aging of the entire organism begins with the aging of its individual cells, tissues, and organs.
Perhaps you have already determined your biological age and the biological age of your individual organs based on the sum of tests (see Tests for determining biological age).
Then you know how high or low the energy potential of your heart, blood vessels, lungs, etc. is.
And the decrease in the functional capabilities of the heart and other organs is also associated with a decrease in the concentration of coenzyme Q in them.
For example, the myocardium of people over 60 years of age contains 40-60% less coenzyme Q than the myocardium of young people. It has been shown that by the age of twenty, the concentration of coenzyme Q in the myocardium reaches its maximum, by forty years it decreases by 30%, and by sixty years – by 50% of the maximum value.
Coenzyme Q is necessary primarily for the functioning of tissues with a high level of energy metabolism. The highest concentration of coenzyme Q is found in the tissues of the heart muscle, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, and adrenal glands. The total content of coenzyme Q in the human body is 500–1500 mg.
According to research results, a 25% deficiency of coenzyme Q10 in these organs can lead to serious diseases.
On the other hand, age is not the only reason for the decrease in the content of coenzyme Q in the body. The concentration may also decrease in various diseases.
Thus, some researchers associate degenerative diseases (atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease) with a deficiency of natural synthesis of coenzyme Q. A deficiency of coenzyme Q may also occur in hyperthyroidism, hepatitis, bronchial asthma.
It has now been established that coenzyme Q in the human body is necessary for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system, brain, and peripheral nervous system, respiratory system, immune system, and for the implementation of reparative processes.
Coenzyme Q is effective in the treatment of hypertension.
In patients with type 2 diabetes, coenzyme Q helps stabilize blood glucose levels and reduce blood pressure.
Good results have been noted with long-term use of coenzyme Q (at a dose of up to 150 mg/day) in myocardial infarction, heart failure, angina, and various forms of myocardial dystrophy and myocarditis – conditions that are very difficult to treat with conventional pharmaceuticals.
Encouraging results have emerged from the use of coenzyme Q in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
Thus, the biological action of coenzyme Q in the human body is as follows:
- participates in the synthesis of ATP in cells;
- exerts significant antioxidant effects, suppresses lipid peroxidation processes, protects cells from the harmful effects of free radicals, and preserves cell membranes from destruction;
- has anti-atherosclerotic effects;
- normalizes the lipid composition of blood;
- improves the rheological properties of blood;
- activates the process of hematopoiesis;
- increases the contractile ability of the myocardium and striated muscles;
- improves blood flow in the myocardium;
- exerts antiarrhythmic effects;
- increases exercise tolerance in cardiological patients;
- has hypotensive effects;
- has immunomodulatory effects, enhances antimicrobial and antiviral protection;
- has anti-allergic effects;
- is a hepatoprotector;
- contributes to the improvement of external respiration function;
- improves brain function;
- has oncoprotective effects;
- regulates blood glucose levels;
- contributes to the improvement of reproductive function;
- is effective in periodontitis;
- is a geroprotector, prevents aging processes;
- stimulates the processes of energy burning of fats, contributes to the enrichment of adipose tissue with oxygen, leading to weight loss in obese individuals.
Coenzyme Q content in various food products
Although the second name of coenzyme Q10 – ubiquinone – denotes ubiquitous (from the English adjective “ubiquitous”), it is not found in all products, but mainly in animal-derived products rich in proteins.
Sources of coenzyme Q10 include meat: beef, pork, lamb, chicken, rabbit (especially offal, mainly heart and liver), fish: salmon, trout, eel, herring, sardines, mackerel.
The richest in coenzyme Q10 is beef heart (about 100 mg/100 g), salmon, trout, and salmon (12–15 mg/100 g).
It is found in smaller amounts in plant products, detected in green wheat sprouts, vegetable oils, nuts, spinach, unrefined rice, soybeans.
Coenzyme Q10 is a lipophilic product, so it is absorbed only with fats.
It has been established that frying destroys 14 to 32% of coenzyme Q10, while boiling, freezing, pickling, and salting do not affect its content.
Based on numerous studies conducted worldwide, scientists suggest that to maintain an active status, a person needs to obtain 10 mg of coenzyme Q10 per day from food (preferably 20–30 mg per day).
It is known that a beef heart weighs up to 2 kg, and by eating 150 g of heart, we obtain 150 mg of coenzyme Q10, i.e., a dose used in the therapy of myocardial infarction (see above).
In general, one boiled beef heart will be enough for us for 10 days.
So don’t believe it when you are told that we cannot get the necessary amount of coenzyme Q10 from food. The other thing is that we need to constantly buy beef hearts…
Coenzyme Q10 is a non-toxic substance: numerous scientific works dedicated to the use of coenzyme Q10 in various diseases have not reported significant adverse side effects at doses up to 1200 mg/day for up to 16 months.
Therefore, a dose of 1200 mg/day has been determined as safe for humans.
Thus, coenzyme Q10 is one of the most significant antioxidants in the human body, preventing the formation of free radicals, modifications of proteins, lipids, and DNA.
It can be said that coenzyme Q10 preserves youth, tone, and activity in humans.
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