A super-vitamin and A Miracle Molecule
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) or ubiquinone is found in the biological system with wide applications. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation energizes the body and increases body energy production in the form of ATP and helps to treat various human diseases such as cardiomyopathy, muscular dystrophy, periodontal disease, etc. Reports of these potential therapeutic advantages of CoQ10 have resulted in its high market demand, which focus the researchers to work on this molecule and develop better bioprocess methods for commercial level production. Coenzyme Q is also considered as vitamin Q, because the body cannot synthesize it in sufficient amount for the best of health, and extra amounts of CoQ should be obtained from food. Therefore, CoQ is called as vitamin: a natural, organic substance in food that is required for health and survival. Coenzyme Q10 acts as a supporting medicine.
Pictorial representation of CoQ10 as health supplement
Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Aging and Disease: CoQ10 deficiency can be associated with a number of human diseases and age-related chronic conditions. In some cases, an unbalanced equilibrium between CoQ10 levels and/or functional ETC(Electron Transport Chain) leads to mitochondrial dysfunction. In other cases, deficiency in CoQ10 and its associated antioxidative activity can significantly increase the level of oxidative damage. It seems clear that supplementation with CoQ10 improves mitochondrial function and confers antioxidant protection for organs and tissues affected by various pathophysiological conditions. The ability of CoQ10 to protect against the release of proinflammatory markers provides an attractive anti-inflammatory therapeutic for the treatment of some human diseases and in aging.
Coenzyme Q10 and Male Infertility: Infertility affects 15% of couples worldwide. A male factor is involved in 50% of cases. The etiology of male infertility is poorly understood, but there is evidence for a strong association between oxidative stress (OS) and poor seminal fluid quality. For this reason, therapy with antioxidants is one of the cornerstones of empirical treatment of male infertility. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)—an essential cofactor for energy production with major antioxidant properties—is commonly used to support spermatogenesis in idiopathic male infertility.
CoQ10 and Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS)
All of us routinely suffer from viral illnesses like Flu, COVID-19. These are characterised by disabling post-exertional fatigue, myalgia and jointpain, cognitive impairments, unrefreshing sleep, autonomic dysfunction, and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Schematic representation of mitochondrial dysfunction involved in the pathogenesis of post-viral fatigue syndrome.
It is of note that no serious adverse effects have been reported from clinical studies supplementing CoQ10 in patients with PVFS, or in a wide range of other chronic disorders. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation presents a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of post-viral fatigue syndrome.