Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also known as ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble quinone compound widely present in yeast, plant leaves, seeds and animal organs. In the human body, it is mainly concentrated in the liver, heart, kidney, adrenal gland and other tissues. It is a pure natural antioxidant that can resist the damage of bacteria and free radicals to the body, promote cell growth and self-repair, thereby improving biological immunity, enhancing antioxidant capacity and delaying aging.
The structure of coenzyme Q10 quinone and side chain isopentenene determines that Q10 can act as a hydrogen transfer body of the respiratory chain, an activator of cellular metabolism and an important antioxidant. At present, coenzyme Q10 has been widely used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries as a multifunctional biochemical drug and food additive.
The human body can synthesize CoQ10, but the synthesis process is complex and affected by factors such as genes, age, nutrition and drugs. When a person is born, the content of coenzyme Q10 in the body is not high, it reaches a peak around the age of 20, and the synthesis ability gradually declines after the age of 25. The content of coenzyme Q10 in various tissues and organs gradually decreased. The content of coenzyme Q10 in the heart muscle of a 70-year-old is about 50% lower than that of a 20-year-old.
The human body can consume CoQ10 through the diet. Among animal foods, the content of internal organs (heart, liver, and kidney) is relatively high, followed by sardines, saury, beef, pork, etc., followed by heart, liver, and kidney. Certain plant foods, such as soybeans, peanuts, sesame seeds, cauliflower, oranges, and strawberries, also contain small amounts of CoQ10. The estimated dietary intake of CoQ10 is about 2 to 5 mg per day, which is very small. .
Coenzyme Q10 was first extracted from the heart of cattle, and was later found by researchers to be widely present in the cell membranes of various tissues and organs in our body, especially the mitochondrial membrane. Coenzyme Q10 has a high content in important organs such as the heart, liver and kidney, and is an important coenzyme for organ energy synthesis.