CoEnzyme Q10 May Protect Against Obesity-Related Health Problems

CoEnzyme Q10, or ubiquinone, is a vitamin-like substance that occurs naturally in the human body. It is found in highest concentrations in the major organs, and the mitochondria, but is "ubiquitous" through out the human body, hence the name ubiquinone. Mitochondria are organelles within somatic cells that produce the energy on which the body runs.

The levels of naturally-produced CoEnzyme Q10 begin to drop in the body at around age 20. CoEnzyme Q10 supplementation has been linked to a number of health benefits over the years; in particular, benefits have been associated with the cardiovascular system and to individuals suffering from Parkinson's Disease.

CoEnzyme Q10 is also commonly recommended to individuals taking statin drugs because while statin drugs reduce cholesterol in the body by blocking the biochemical pathway in which cholesterol is made, they unfortunately also block CoEnzyme Q10 which is produced using the same biochemical pathway. Thus, statins lower CoEnzyme Q10 levels as well as cholesterol levels.

A new study from German and Belgian researchers has found that CoEnzyme Q10 may protect the liver and reduce inflammation caused by diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance. For the study, mice were fed one of two diets: a normal control diet or a high-fat, high-fructose diet for eight weeks. Once obesity and glucose intolerance we introduced, the mice were supplemented with Kaneka CoEnzyme Q10 added to their water.

The mice given the high-fat, high-fructose diet consumed more calories and developed greater fat mass, had elevated blood glucose levels and had abnormally high serum insulin levels as compared to the control mice. Likewise this diet "promoted the expression of genes involved in reactive oxygen species production, inflammation, and metabolism in the liver."

However, much of that was attenuated once the mice were administered CoEnzyme Q10. CoEnzyme Q10 reduced expression of inflammatory and metabolic stress markers. The researchers concluded that "CoQ10, when given orally, is able to target the liver tissue, and to lessen inflammatory stress associated with obesity in mice." CoEnzyme Q10, however, did not reduce fat mass development or some of the other metabolic changes caused by obesity.

While CoEnzyme Q10 may not reduce fat mass development, research from early 2008 indicates that it may improve athletic endurance and reduce fatigue, a huge advantage to anyone trying to lose weight.

Whole Health exclusively sells natural Kaneka CoEnzyme Q10, the same type used in this study. Learn more about the benefits of CoEnzyme Q10 here.

1. Sohet, F. M., A. M. Neyrinck, et al. (2009). "Coenzyme Q10 supplementation lowers hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation associated with diet-induced obesity in mice." Biochem Pharmacol 78(11): 1391-400.