Coenzyme Q10 was first isolated from the mitochondria of beef heart as a yellow substance by Dr. Frederick Crane in 1957 then working at University of Wisconsin, well known for its vitamin researches in the mid 20th century. In 1958, Dr. Folkers and collaborators at Merck synthesized Coenzyme Q10 in the laboratory. By mid 1980, Coenzyme Q10 became widely available as a commercial product and became increasingly popular.

Background

Supplementation of coenzyme Q10 becomes appropriate when its synthesis is impaired through nutritional deficiency, when there is a genetic or acquired defect in synthesis or when there is increased tissue need due to a particular medical condition. These states all interfere with the coenzyme Q10 pathway - a pathway that results in physical energy.

Our ability to absorb or produce coenzyme Q10 deteriorates with age. The decline of coenzyme Q10 levels with time might be linked to the aging mechanism and therefore play a causative role in aging itself.

Benefits

In 1964, Coenzyme Q10 was shown to provide nutrient support for heart health by a Japanese scientist. The success of the use of Coenzyme Q10 was attributed to its energizing effect on heart muscles. The heart has high energy requirements and also high concentrations of coenzyme Q10. Because natural stores drop with age, focus has turned to coenzyme Q10 as a cardiac nutrient. Despite the relatively long history and excellent reputation, many clinicians and health care professionals in the US, let alone the general public, are not well informed about this wonderful nutrition. Lack of interest of large pharmaceutical companies that seek patentable and more profitable drug items as well as lack of interest of many of the health practitioners to read research reports contributed to low popularity. The situation in Europe and Japan is quite different, and Coenzyme Q10 is better known and more popular there.

Coenzyme Q10 acts as an antioxidant which scavenges harmful free radicals, supports the function of vitamin E in the body and also helps recycle vitamin E. The antioxidant function of coenzyme Q10 may enhance its role in supporting cardiovascular health.

Coenzyme Q10 may support exercise tolerance by helping muscle cells use oxygen. It may therefore be of some use to athletes wanting to maximise their performance. Coenzyme Q10 also supports the flow of oxygen within individual cells.

Numerous scientific researches and human clinical trials have been performed on Coenzyme Q10, and in the year 1978, a British scientist Dr. Peter Mitchell was awarded Nobel Prize in chemistry for his study in the role of Coenzyme Q10 in cellular energy production mechanism.