2.2. In addition, secondary CoQ10 deficiencies associated with a number of disorders have been reported, including primary METC disease and mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome [41,42], cardiovascular disease [43], chronic kidney disease [44], type II diabetes [45] and metabolic syndrome [46].
Other neurological abnormalities that can occur in primary coenzyme Q10 deficiency include seizures, intellectual disability, poor muscle tone (hypotonia), involuntary muscle contractions (dystonia), progressive muscle stiffness (spasticity), abnormal eye movements (nystagmus), vision loss caused by degeneration ( ...
Enzyme deficiency is thought to be genetically inherited almost always in a recessive fashion, as it is mainly the result of “loss-of-function” mutations [4].
What are the symptoms of CoQ10 deficiency? Whilst everyone is different, people who have a deficiency in CoQ10 levels often experience physical fatigue and muscle weakness, even while undertaking relatively non-strenuous physical activities such as walking.
The endogenous production of CoQ10 decreases after the age of 20, and the myocardial concentration of CoQ10 is reduced to about half at the age of 80 (Fig. 3) (Kalén et al., 1989; Gutierrez-Mariscal et al., 2019).
CoQ10 deficiency in brain tissue can cause ataxia, together with a range of other neurological manifestations. CoQ10 deficiency in kidney tissue results in nephrotic syndrome and renal dysfunction, and deficiency in cardiac tissue results in weakened heart muscle, characteristic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy [16].
CoQ10 deficiency is not common in the general population and is typically only seen in individuals with genetic mutations. Severe deficiency is not common, but may result in brain and organ damage, hearing loss, and stunted growth. CoQ10 supplementation is safe and may be helpful for some.
Primary dietary sources of CoQ10 include oily fish (such as salmon and tuna), organ meats (such as liver), and whole grains. Most individuals obtain sufficient amounts of CoQ10 through a balanced diet, but supplementation may be useful for individuals with particular health conditions.
These results show that oral administration of coenzyme Q10 increases both brain and brain mitochondrial concentrations. They provide further evidence that coenzyme Q10 can exert neuroprotective effects that might be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Examples of coenzymes: nicotineamideadenine dinucleotide (NAD), nicotineamide adenine dinucelotide phosphate (NADP), and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). These three coenzymes are involved in oxidation or hydrogen transfer.
All of the water-soluble vitamins and two of the fat-soluble vitamins, A and K, function as cofactors or coenzymes.
Ubiquinol is the superior form of CoQ10, so we encourage you to check the supplement facts label on the product to ensure you know what form you're getting. If the form of CoQ10 is not indicated on the product's label, it's most likely the less absorbable ubiquinone form.
General laboratory tests to measure creatine kinase (CK) and lactic acid can provide useful information in the initial investigation of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)
Statins are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that are widely used as cholesterol-lowering medications. Statins can thus also reduce the endogenous synthesis of coenzyme Q10.
Dietary sources of CoQ10
CoQ10 is found in meat and poultry, especially organ meat such as liver, eggs, oily fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines, whole grains and nuts.
Vitamin C isn't the only one with competition—astaxanthin is also 800 times stronger than CoQ10, 550 times stronger than green tea catechins and 75 times stronger than alpha lipoic acid.
Olive oil also contains one of the highest levels of CoQ10, an antioxidant that is known to be highly effective at protecting the heart and fighting chronic inflammation. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated and omega-6 fats.
And if you're a bodybuilder you can be pretty sure that your body's utilization of CoQ10 is increased. That's because intense exercise, as well as the increase in metabolic rate which occurs with intense training, both increase your body's utilization of CoQ10.
However, it may take 4 to 12 weeks to see any change. In one analysis, after reviewing 12 clinical studies, researchers concluded that CoQ10 has the potential to lower systolic blood pressure by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 10 mm Hg, without significant side effects.
Some cases have shown that CoQ10 blocks the anti–blood clotting (aka anticoagulant) effect of Vitamin K Antagonists, especially warfarin, which can lead to fatal blood clotting (according to Lexi-Drugs Online).
Two of the most important and widespread vitamin-derived coenzymes are nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and coenzyme A. NAD is derived from vitamin B3 and functions as one of the most important coenzymes in a cell when turned into its two alternate forms.