Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 was once a niche additionbest known in wellness circles for its possible benefits a heart health and fertility. But now the antioxidant’s star is rising for a new reason: its purported longevity-enhancing powers.
CoQ10’s appeal grew as researchers explored it effects on different conditionssmall studies that explore for example can help increases insulin sensitivitycut the frequency of migraine attacksand relieves muscle pain caused by statins used for high cholesterol. But lately, there’s been excitement about its broader anti-aging potential because of how it supports our mitochondria, which you may remember from high school biology as the “powerhouse of the cell.”
This role has catapulted Q10 into the longevity club, along with other supplements thought to help mitochondria (such as urolithin A and nicotinamide mononucleotide or NMN). There is even a synthetic derivative of CoQ10 specifically designed to be better absorbed by the mitochondria, called mitoquinone (or MitoQ), which is gaining popularity. celebrity trainers and athletes to increase energy, regeneration andcell health.”
But is CoQ10 the only thing they think of when it comes to longevity? Read on to learn more before grabbing a bottle of this supplement.
Why do people take CoQ10 for longevity?
Our cells naturally produce CoQ10, a molecule that acts as a conveyor belt for charged particles in our mitochondria, allowing them to “efficiently create adenosine triphosphate, or ATP,” the “currency of cellular energy.” Anthony Molina, PhDa professor of medicine at UC San Diego who studies aging biomarkers, tells SELF. This is a big deal, as all cells rely on this energy to carry out their daily functions. As we age, both the number of mitochondria and their ability to produce energy decrease—a process that plays a role in the development of many age-related diseases, Dr. Molina points out. Meanwhile, CoQ10 levels also decline with age, leading to the idea that we need to take it in supplement form to improve mitochondrial (and overall) health.
In addition to its role in energy production, CoQ10 is a antioxidant which is “very strong at scavenging free radicals” or volatile molecules that can damage cells, Daria Mochly-Rosen, PhDis a professor and co-author of Chemistry and Systems Biology at Stanford University The machines of life: How taking care of your mitochondria can change your health, says SELF. By stabilizing these molecules, CoQ10 can help prevent damage (also known as oxidative stress) from accumulating and contributing to aging and chronic disease.
