Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat soluble nutrient that has immense effects on your levels of energy, stamina, immune system, organ health, and more. This nutrient is located within the mitochondria – the powerhouse of all cells and producers of energy. Coenzyme Q10 is secreted naturally by our bodies and is usually accumulated in organs that need the most energy such as the liver, kidneys, heart, and muscles that work to produce cellular energy.
Our body cells require this coenzyme to function appropriately on a daily basis as it is considered one of the most potent antioxidants. It helps eradicate damaging free radicals and reverse premature aging. Apart from slowing down the process of aging, this coenzyme plays a major role in maintaining proper blood pressure as well as the elimination of migraines, cardiovascular diseases, ulcers, and a wide variety of other diseases. CoQ10 is abundantly found in beef, peanuts and fish like sardines and mackerel, and the absence of CoQ10 can cause the death of cells.
The Two Different Types of Coenzyme
The chemical nature of CoQ10 is an oxidation-reduction type, which means that it undergoes a “redox reaction”. It can switch between two different forms – one having two extra electrons and the other not having them at all. This is an important function of coenzymeQ10 since it helps to transport a flow of electrons in order to harness the chemical energy, which is needed to convert our food into energy and thus provide us energy.
The two different forms of the coenzyme CoQ10 are Ubiquinone and Ubiquinol. The oxidized form of the coenzymeQ10 is known as ubiquinone and the reduced form is termed as ubiquinol. In simpler words, when the electrons are added, the molecule is termed as “reduced”, and when the molecules are removed, the molecule is called “oxidized”. This is why Ubiquinol is called “the reduced form of CoQ10”. While the two forms are very similar molecules, the difference lies in the number of electrons they carry. Ubiquinone contains two electrons and two hydrogen atoms (that come along with the electrons).
It is important to note that the two extra electrons makes ubiquinol highly unstable in light and air and it gets easily oxidize, which makes it unsuitable to be used in a supplement form. However, later manufacturers overcame this drawback by developing an effective technique to stabilize ubiquinol and launched it on the market in the year 2006.
Why is Ubiquinol Superior To Ubiquinone?
As compared to conventional CoQ10, i.e. Ubiquinone, Ubiquinol is superior in many ways. These ways are: