CoQ-10 and the Energy of Life
Your gateway to healthy aging
In the world of biochemistry and holistic medicine, certain molecules are touted as having all kinds of virtues. There are countless YouTube videos praising magnesium, zinc, omega-3, and other substances. The world of alternative medicine and dietary supplements is often criticized by official scientific bodies as a world of charlatans selling miracle cures to desperate patients. This may indeed be the case. But it must be acknowledged that many therapeutic approaches are highly effective, both in the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases.
One example is NAD, a well-known nucleotide involved in fighting oxidation and inflammation, magnesium, and vitamin C. All of these substances are very useful and have been proven effective. This is not often well understood by traditional medicine, which often focuses on finding chemically manufactured molecules designed to act on a single variable in the body. We could take the example of statins and cholesterol.
I have always been interested by this molecule and have read a lot of very interesting anecdotes about it. This is why I decided to write this small article on it. Hoping that it will help you to see a bit clearer about it.
CoQ10: The Vitality Molecule :
When we talk about health and longevity, the conversation often drifts toward diets, exercise, and supplements. But deep inside every single cell, there is a small, powerful molecule quietly running the machinery of life. That molecule is Coenzyme Q10, or simply CoQ10. If you google it or look some YouTube videos, you will quickly understand that it’s considered as an essential supplement for longevity.
CoQ10 is sometimes called the “spark plug” of our cells. Without it, our bodies would not be able to turn food into usable energy. And without energy, life simply stops. From the contraction of your heart muscle to the firing of neurons in your brain, CoQ10 is always at work, every second of every day. The molecule’s effect have been described in many medical textbook and for several disciplines. CoQ-10 is a very good example to show how one nutrient can influence many diseases, and…. mitigate the risk.
What Exactly Is CoQ10? :
CoQ10 is a fat-soluble compound made naturally in our bodies. Chemically, it belongs to a family called quinones, which are found in plants, animals, and bacteria. In humans, its most important job is to help produce ATP, the universal energy currency of our cells.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is like a fully charged battery. Every muscle contraction, every nerve signal, every heartbeat, every thought — all require ATP. Without it, cells cannot perform their basic functions, and organs cannot sustain life.
CoQ10 is a critical link in the biochemical chain of reactions that turn the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins we eat into ATP. It’s not optional — it’s a molecular requirement for energy production.
How Does It Work?
Inside each of our trillions of cells, there are tiny structures called mitochondria, often referred to as the “power plants” or “engines” of the cell. Mitochondria take the nutrients from our food and process them through a series of protein complexes known as the electron transport chain.
CoQ10 acts as a shuttle in this chain, carrying high-energy electrons from one protein complex to another. Without it, the chain would stall, and ATP production would collapse. Imagine a factory where conveyor belts suddenly stop — the whole system grinds to a halt. That’s exactly what would happen in your cells without CoQ10.
More Than Just Energy
While CoQ10 is essential for ATP production, it also plays a dual role as one of the body’s most potent antioxidants. Every time your cells make energy, they generate reactive oxygen species — better known as free radicals — as unavoidable byproducts.
In small amounts, free radicals are normal. But when they accumulate in excess, they damage proteins, lipids, and even DNA. This process, called oxidative stress, is linked to aging, inflammation, and chronic disease.
CoQ10 helps neutralize these free radicals before they can cause harm. This is particularly crucial in energy-hungry organs like the heart, brain, and skeletal muscles, where oxidative stress is naturally high due to constant energy demand.
When Levels Drop
Our natural production of CoQ10 peaks in early adulthood. After around age 30, levels slowly but steadily decline. By the time you reach your 70s or 80s, your CoQ10 levels may be less than half of what they were in your youth.
Certain health conditions — including heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders — are associated with lower CoQ10 levels. Chronic stress, poor diet, and mitochondrial dysfunction can also contribute.
Some medications reduce CoQ10 production as an unintended side effect. Statins, widely prescribed to lower cholesterol, block the same biochemical pathway that produces CoQ10. This can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, and in some cases reduced heart performance, especially in older adults.
CoQ10 and the Heart
Clinical research has shown that CoQ10 is especially important for cardiovascular health. The heart is the most energy-demanding organ in the body, beating over 100,000 times per day without rest.
Clinical research over the past three decades has highlighted CoQ10’s importance in cardiovascular health, especially in conditions where the heart struggles to pump efficiently. One of the most notable studies, the Q-SYMBIO trial (2014), followed patients with chronic heart failure for two years and found that daily supplementation improved heart function, reduced hospital admissions, and significantly lowered the risk of death from cardiovascular causes.
The underlying mechanism is twofold: CoQ10 boosts mitochondrial ATP production in heart muscle cells — allowing them to sustain strong, efficient contractions — and acts as a potent antioxidant, protecting delicate cardiac tissues from oxidative stress, which is particularly high in heart disease. Trials in angina patients show improved exercise tolerance and a delay in the onset of chest pain, likely due to better oxygen utilization and energy efficiency.
In addition, meta-analyses report modest but consistent reductions in blood pressure, making CoQ10 a safe and well-tolerated adjunct to conventional therapies. Its relevance is even greater for individuals on statin medications, which can reduce the body’s natural production of CoQ10 and, in some cases, contribute to fatigue or reduced cardiac performance. Taken together, the evidence suggests that CoQ10 is more than a supplement — it is a strategic support for maintaining heart vitality, especially in aging populations or those managing chronic cardiovascular conditions.
In the 1970s, Linus Pauling had already established a protocol for treating and preventing heart disease. In particular, he recommended high doses of vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin E, and CoQ-10. He had already described the potential mechanisms that could explain the effectiveness of this molecule on patients' hearts. It is important to recognize that the old scientist from CalTech was probably right before everyone else.
Supplementation and Food Sources
CoQ10 is found in foods like fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel), organ meats (liver, heart), and whole grains. However, the amounts in food are modest, and it’s difficult to reach therapeutic levels through diet alone.
This is why many people, especially after age 40 or those on statins, turn to supplements. CoQ10 supplements come in two forms: ubiquinone (oxidized) and ubiquinol (reduced). Both are effective, but ubiquinol is slightly more bioavailable in some individuals. Doses in clinical research typically range from 100 to 300 mg per day, often divided into two or three doses for better absorption.
For all of these reasons, the mediterranean diet is a great source to get sufficient amount of CoQ-10 from natural sources. Vegans appear to be very deficient is this molecule and very rarely know it. Especially since CoQ-10 never appears in blood tests naturally. This makes the situation very difficult.
The Vitality Connection
Energy is not just about feeling awake — it’s the currency of life itself. Without CoQ10, your cells are like a city without electricity: lights flicker, systems fail, and the entire network slows down. The decline in CoQ10 with age may be one reason why energy levels and organ efficiency drop over time.
Supporting your CoQ10 levels means supporting the very foundation of vitality — from your heartbeat to your brainwaves.
Dosage :
The typical dosage of CoQ-10 is usually from 100 to 300mg.
It depends on symptoms, potential deficiency and current biological needs.
Final Thoughts
CoQ10 is not a miracle pill, but it is a molecule that life depends on. Whether through a nutrient-rich diet, smart lifestyle choices, or targeted supplementation, maintaining healthy CoQ10 levels can help preserve your body’s ability to produce energy and defend itself from oxidative stress.
In the end, it’s not just about living longer. It’s about keeping the spark alive in every cell — so that your body and mind can operate at their best, year after year. It is one of the most important molecule for healthy aging. Which is a goal many people want to reach. Indeed.
Sources :
Mortensen S. A. et al., The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Morbidity and Mortality in Chronic Heart Failure: Results From Q‑SYMBIO: A Randomized Double‑Blind Trial, JACC: Heart Failure, 2014. PMC+7ScienceDirect+7Wikipédia+7
Alehagen U., Johansson P., Björnstedt M., Rosén A., Dahlström U., Cardiovascular mortality and N-terminal‑proBNP reduced after combined selenium and coenzyme Q10 supplementation: a 5‑year prospective randomized double‑blind placebo‑controlled trial, International Journal of Cardiology, 2013. Wikipédia+1
Alehagen U. et al., Still reduced cardiovascular mortality 12 years after supplementation with selenium and coenzyme Q10 for four years, PLOS ONE, 2018. Wikipédia+1
Fotino A. D. et al., Effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on heart failure: a meta‑analysis, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2013. PMC+3Wikipédia+3PMC+3
Rosenfeldt F. et al., meta‑analysis concluding CoQ10 reduces blood pressure by approximately 11 mmHg systolic and 7 mmHg diastolic in primary prevention; doses 100–120 mg/day. PMC
Xu J. et al., Efficacy and safety of coenzyme Q10 in heart failure – réduction de la mortalité toutes causes confondues, hospitalisations et augmentation de la fraction d’éjection ventriculaire gauche. PMC, 2024. Wikipédia
Tiano L. et al. (via supplemental citation) – CoQ10 à 300 mg/jour améliore l’activité des enzymes antioxydantes, réduit l’inflammation chez des patients coronariens sous statines (identifiant ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01424761). PMC
PMC review: Coenzyme Q10: Clinical Applications beyond Cardiovascular, traitement des effets sur la performance physique et récupération après exercice (aussi bien chez sportifs que personnes sédentaires). PMC+1
StatPearls – Coenzyme Q10, explication de ses applications cliniques comme antioxydant vasculaire, mécanismes d’action, lien avec les statines, etc. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (via Wikipedia):
Coenzyme Q10 for heart failure (février 2021)
Blood pressure lowering efficacy of coenzyme Q10 for primary hypertension (mars 2016)
Co‑enzyme Q10 supplementation for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (décembre 2014)
thanks doc 🙏🏻🙏🏻