Some science behind the scenes
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10, also known as coenzyme Q, and abbreviated at times to CoQ10 is an oil-soluble, vitamin-like substance present in most eukaryotic cells, primarily in the mitochondria. It is a component of the electron transport chain and participates in aerobic cellular respiration, generating energy in the form of ATP. Ninety-five percent of the human body’s energy is generated this way.
Those organs with the highest energy requirements—such as the heart, liver and kidney—have the highest CoQ10 concentrations.
There are three redox states of CoQ10:
- fully oxidized (ubiquinone),
- semiquinone (ubisemiquinone), and
- fully reduced (ubiquinol).
The capacity of this molecule to exist in a completely oxidized form and a completely reduced form enables it to perform its functions in the electron transport chain, and as an antioxidant, respectively.
CoQ10 shares a biosynthetic pathway with cholesterol.
The synthesis of an intermediary precursor of CoQ10, mevalonate, is inhibited by beta blockers, blood pressure-lowering medication, and statins.
Statins can reduce serum levels of CoQ10 by up to 40%.
Which is why people on these medications can feel dog tired.
Observations
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