Mitochondria and Coenzyme Q10

The mitochondria and coenzyme Q10 are primarily responsible for providing energy in the body. This article first explains what mitochondria and Q10 are and how they interact to provide energy in the body.

What are mitochondria and what are their functions?

Mitochondria are found in all animal and plant cells and play an important role in energy management in the body. For example, if the body needs more energy during exercise, the mitochondria become active and produce energy in the form of what is known as Adenosintriphosphat (ATP). They convert food consumed by the body into usable energy. Therefore, mitochondria are also referred to as the "power plants of the cells". Furthermore, mitochondria are necessary for the storage of calcium within the cells.

What is coenzyme Q10 and what are the functions of the micronutrient?

The micronutrient Q10 is a vital substance that is responsible for generating energy in all human cells. It is therefore found in all important organs such as the lungs, liver and heart - i.e. always there where a lot of energy is needed. Structurally, the fat-soluble molecule Q10 is similar to vitamins K and E. In addition, the coenzyme Q10 is one of the most important antioxidants with an anti-inflammatory effect in the human organism.

What forms of Q10 are there?

In general, a distinction is made between two different forms of Q10: in the oxidized form as the so-called ubiquinone and in the reduced form called ubiquinol. When the coenzyme Q10 is mentioned, it is usually the ubiquinone that is meant. While both forms are relevant for the entire energy supply in the body, around 90 percent of Q10 in the blood or lymph occurs as ubiquinol. Ubiquinone is made in the production of energy in the mitochondria and transfers energy between proteins.

Chronic diseases can result in the Q10 balance being out of balance and the body not having enough of the micronutrient available. Stress, obesity or smoking can also lead to the organism not having sufficient Q10 available in the long term. The Q10 content can be checked via a laboratory value in the blood.

What is the function of coenzyme Q10 in the body?

Coenzyme Q10 is an essential coenzyme involved in oxidative phosphorylation (energy production process) in all cell types and can generate more than 90 percent of total body energy (ATP). With this function, the Q10 in the body takes on a main function in the body.

High-dose Q10 is used, for example, to treat heart disease, although the positive effects have not (yet) been clearly proven in scientific studies. Mitochondria and the coenzyme Q10 play a key role in providing energy in the body and therefore play a key role in the organism.

Sources

1. www.imd-berlin.de
2. www.bfr.bund.de
3. www.verbraucherzentrale.de
4. www.tisso.de

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