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:

• Antioxidant Property: Ubiquinol acts as a potent antioxidant in the body because of the two extra electrons it holds. On the other hand, regular CoQ10, or ubiquinone, is electron deficient, and thus less effective than electron-rich ubiquinol. Being a strong antioxidant, ubiquinol protects cells from free radicals and inhibits diseases such as aging. Free radicals are harmful for the body since they steal the electrons from the cell membranes, DNA, and the cholesterol floating around in your blood. Because of the absence of electrons, your body becomes damaged and prone to diseases. So, when electron-rich ubiquinol provides its electron to the body, the free radicals are neutralized and damage is prevented.

• Absorption Power: Ubiquinol is quickly absorbed and metabolized properly in the body. This in turn helps to facilitate its antioxidant properties effectively into your system. Although the amount of absorption varies depending on a person’s age and state of health, ubiquinol has consistently been absorbed more efficiently than the regular coenzyme Q10.

• ATP Production: Ubiquinol plays a major role in ATP production, which is the primary fuel for every cell in your body. The complete absence of ATP production (or cellular energy) leads to death. Although ubiquinol is naturally produced in the body, its secretion diminishes as you age. This also reduces the production of ATP, which becomes the cause of numerous acute and chronic ailments linked to aging.

• Transportability: Ubiquinol offers better transportability than ubiquinone. It has been found that in a healthy adult, more than 95% of the total CoQ10 in the blood is in the Ubiquinol form. Upon consuming coenzymeQ10, it quickly converts into ubiquinol. However, most people are unable to efficiently carry out this transformation and they’re not highly benefitted by taking the regular form of coenzymeQ10.

• Other Benefits: While assisting in the reduction of high blood pressure, ubiqinol also provides effective protection against other heart ailments. Other effective benefits of ubiqinol are that it naturally restores antioxidants such as Vitamins A and E. It works to provide a usable form of energy, which is more efficiently used by your body.