CoQ10 (Co-enzyme Q10)

This section will spill the beans and reveal which nutrients are worth supplementing and why, which should not be taken even if the nutrient is valuable, and which should definitely NOT be consumed at all.

Qunoltm analysis at bottom.

There are 3 issues to consider.  FORM, Form, and form...and Dosage. These pretty much dictate absorption 

• The body produces CoQ10, but tends to slow down production with age.
• First, CoQ10 has two forms, Ubiquinone (the oxidized form) or Ubiquinol (QH, the reduced form).  After age 50 or in disease conditions, QH is preferred and may have a slight advantage since digestion could be compromised. ref
• Second, as CoQ10 is a fat soluble nutrient, the products with the best absorption have an emulsified medium chain triglyceride fat base. Emulsification acts like soap breaking up large fat molecules for greater assimilation. A new nanaoparticle size CoQ10 has recently appeared.
• CoQ10 is either produced by a yeast or bacterial fermentation method plus it can also be synthesized from a tobacco plant byproduct with added chemical reactions. 
• Natural CoQ10 exists in the all trans- form while synthetic is a mixture of trans- and cis- forms. In Supplements, the regulations specify the cis- percentage at 1.5% or less.
• Another issue is that CoQ10 can crystallize while in softgels. Adding an anti-oxidant plus a light barrier are both needed to prevent or limit this reaction. Buy small bottles to use up faster.
• CoQ10 molecule contains sulfur and will supply sulfur on breakdown that can feed candida invasion. Candida may also eat up CoQ10 in intestinal tract reducing amount available for body.
• CoQ10 functions: Energy production, antixodant, both of which help almost every organ and tissue in the body. The Heart muscle uses the most energy followed by the liver and brain, but every cell in the body needs CoQ10 since all cells need energy. ref

The numbers below represent a ratio rather then the actual absorption of the different forms and bases in typical CoQ10 products.  But, absorption of CoQ10 as a fat soluble nutrient is quite low. Each product formula has to be evaluated separately. The number one format listed below is the least desirable, dry powder, but can be enhanced by consuming it with a fat containing food such as peanut butter, oil salad dressing, or avocado to facilitate the fat digestive process. But products with built in emulsifiers are best. Lecithin is one of the widest used emulsifiers. While glycerin does have some emulsifier properties, it often is just listed since it is used in making the capsule material and does not really aid CoQ10 absorption.  

1. As a dry powder in a capsule, only about 4-5% absorption.
2. Oil base in a softgel capsule. Doubles (2X) absorption (estimated)
3. Powder QH form (Ubiquinol)  in capsule (probably just over #2)

1. Oil base that is emulsified in softgel. 2.5X absorption (estimated)
2. Medium chain oil emulsified  in softgel, 3 X absorption (clinical study)
3. QH with oil base in softgel (3x estimated)
4. QH emulsified oil base in softgel (3.5x estimated)
5. Medium chain emulsified oil base QH (Best, almost 4x+ absorption)(clinical study 700% increase in plasma) (Best products have light barriers added as well, such as carob or annatto powder) (An issue with CoQ10 is crystallization, small amount of vitamin E is often added to stabilize) 

Both the ubiquinone and ubiquinol (QH) forms of CoQ10 have value. The QH form is simply the reduced form of ubiquinone CoQ10 and might aid assimilation into the body, but may only be of value for older individuals. CoQ10 changes from one form into the other and then back again depending upon antioxidant activities when it gives away an electron or gets one back (the energy electron transfer pathway). In the bloodstream, 90% of CoQ10 travels in the QH form so it is ready to donate an electron to neutralize a free radical, an antioxidant action. This reference shows antioxidant value of CoQ10 in reducing lipid (fat) oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

Young people do not need to supplement with CoQ10 unless they have a disease condition. About age 45 is the point to modestly begin supplementation. At 55+ it is vital. The CoQ10 content of lung tissue remains high until about this time. By 60, lungs have less protection against respiratory conditions which may be influenced by dropping CoQ10 levels. This could be one reason why respiratory illness are more serious at this age.  ref

Areas of CoQ10 influence and science support. ref Here is known dosing information. ref Very low side effects so far.

The Good brands: Bluebonnet Ubiquinol QH and Jarrow QH-Absorb.  While Q-Gel^tm from Tischon^tm  has great absorption, it uses a chemical emulsifying agent, polysorbate 80, which might present some compromises to natural cellular barriers. Bluebonnet and Jarrow use a natural lecithin emulsifier with only a few percentage points less absorption than the polysorbate 80 format. They also use a Medium Chain Triglyceride fat base which is one of the smallest fatty acid sizes and easiest to absorb. Jarrow is one of only a few companies that has clinical studies using their actual built products that proved their liposome base does increase blood plasma CoQ10 levels significantly.

Ubiquinol is derived from Co-Q10 that is manufactured via a yeast-fermentation process and consists only of the natural trans configuration, the same as is biosynthesized in the human body. Although the reduced QH form has important actions, it is rather difficult to stablize..

Jarrow has human research on their exact products showing enhanced blood plasma increases for CoQ10 levels. Other Brands may use the same exact ingredient, but it is how Jarrow puts the ingredients together with a natural emulsifier and Medium Chain Triglycerides to enhance fat absorption that is key. 

Bluebonnet Ubiquinol Kaneka^tm QH CoQ10 100 mg.  

Other ingredients: Gelatin, glycerin, water, natural annatto extract, soy lecithin, medium chain triglycerides, ascorbyl palmitate, beeswax

NOTE: Another Branded CoQ10 form CoQsol^tm is available, but it proves to be an enigma. Using rice bran oil, a highly perishable oil with tocotrienols and gamma oryzanol. Gamma oryganol is known to hinder cholesterol absorption. But isn't cholesterol a fat?  Rice oil is a longer chain glyceride so not sure of the advantage. The CoQsol people say it gives a 3X increase. Lecithin is also used as the emulsifier.

Many products play up on their labels Enhanced Absorption . One uses a black pepper "Bioperine"enhancer which increases absorption about 30% or 1.3x, a rather small amount. One uses a D'Limonine which is a good emulsifier from citrus oil. Look for medium chain triglyceride bottom line. And make sure there is an antioxidant like vitamin E to protect the fats. Price often reflects absorption percentages.

Qunoltm Brand CoQ10 gets the Boot

This Brand's CoQ10 has a lot right, and then something stupid is added. The Medium Chain Triglycerides are a good addition, but then adding Polysorbate 80 as a chemical emulsifier sinks the boat.

Many cancer drugs use polysorbate 80 to deliver the anticancer activity.. An analysis of these drugs discovered that there were side effects of the drugs that were not part of the drug active ingredients. The side effects were from the polysorbate 80.  ref < While this reference at first deals with events for cancer drug injection sites, later it gets into the meat against the use of polysorbate 80 in supplements. 

Polysorbate 80 is a very effective emulsifier and stabilizer for drugs to increase delivery. But, it is not an inert ingredient. Polysorbate 80 does two things that may compromise a  number of body processes. First, it increases membrane permeability which could allow elements into cells that do not belong. Plus, it could allow for intestinal linkage of bacteria out or the digestion area and into regular body channels. If this is not enough, polysorbate 80 also increases inflammation. Another attack possibility against the integrity of the intestinal tract.

"In drug formulations, polysorbate 80 has been implicated in a number of systemic reactions (e.g., hypersensitivity, nonallergic anaphylaxis, rash) ..."