CoQ10 deficiency signs & symptoms and cause

If you go through our earlier article you will know what important roles CoQ₁₀ or Coenzyme Q₁₀ plays in the production of mitochondrial energy and heart health. But it doesn’t end here. Coenzyme Q₁₀ also has some other vital health beneficial functions. Almost every single cell of your body needs CoQ10 to perform their day to day activities. Therefore deficiency can lead to several health disorders. Some factors can cause CoQ10 deficiency and some signs and symptoms may help you to understand if you have a deficiency in CoQ₁₀ synthesis. If you don’t know about the roles of CoQ10 in your body, have a glimpse.

Health beneficial roles of CoQ₁₀

The top properties of CoQ₁₀ include as in the production of mitochondrial energy or ATP generation, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. CoQ10 supplementation has evidenced beneficial results in several conditions. In the modern world, taking control of chronic inflammation have vital roles in health and longevity. Chronic inflammation causes cell damages, premature aging and disease-prone. Learn more about

13 powerful anti-inflammatory lesser-known foods to protect your health. and

 8 lesser-known foods and factors that can inflame your body

Heart and Cardiovascular Health and CoQ10

The heart is one organ that contains a high concentration of CoQ10. We have already discussed the role of CoQ10 in the production of energy in the heart muscles. We also discussed the health beneficial effects of CoQ10 in conditions like heart failure, inability to perform exercises, and cardiovascular health.

Read Coenzyme Q10 for mitochondrial energy and heart health to know more about these.

A recent meta-analysis of 8 RCTs published in the Journal of Lipids in Health and Disease found CoQ10 supplementation significantly decreased total cholesterol. They observed although CoQ10 did not affect triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, it increased HDL cholesterol significantly. (1) Also, read foods to lower cholesterol naturally. But cholesterol is not that simple like LDL as bad or HDL as bad. In fact, large LDL particle is associated with longer life in older people. Read more about small dense LDL, large LDL, LDL particle number, or  ApoB number.

High blood sugar is a major risk factor in the development of heart disease. Many don’t know how sugar can harm our health.

Related article:

What to know to prevent heart disease

Best foods to lower high blood pressure

Why vitamin K2 is so critical for your cardiovascular health in prevention of arterial calcification.

How to choose right cooking oil for your kitchen

Roles of omega 3 fatty acids for your heart health

CoQ10 and Blood Flow

Endothelium refers to cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. Lipid peroxidation or oxidative degradation of cholesterol impairs endothelial function that further impairs blood flow.(2) Researchers found positive co-relation of coenzyme Q10 with antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione peroxidase activities. And thus by reducing lipid peroxidation lowers the risk of heart disease. (3)

A study found 200 mg CoQ10 oral supplementation daily for 12 weeks improved endothelial function as well as blood flow in Type II diabetics. (4) In another RCT study supplementation of CoQ at 300 mg/day for 8 weeks improved mitochondrial function and blood flow from endothelial function. (5)

CoQ10 and Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain along with fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. CoQ10 helps mitochondrial energy or ATP production and also blood flow and prevent lipid oxidation. CoQ10 appears to be quite effective in reducing fibromyalgia symptoms. Look development of fibromyalgia is multifactorial. Therefore other factors also should work well.

Researchers found decreased CoQ₁₀, catalase enzyme, and ATP levels in blood from people with fibromyalgia. They also found an increased level of oxidative degradation of lipids or cholesterol in blood from FM patients as compared to normal. Also, significant negative correlations between CoQ10 levels in blood and headache parameters were observed. 3 months (300 mg/day CoQ10 divided into three doses) oral supplementation restored biochemical parameters and induced a significant improvement in clinical and headache symptoms. (6)

Another study with supplementation of 300mg CoQ₁₀ daily observed reduced fatigue and tiredness alongside the reduction in pain and soreness in persons with fibromyalgia.(7) Some other studies also observed positive results.(8,9) A 2019 systematic review of interventional studies concluded that CoQ10 has better therapeutic effects in statin-related fatigue and fibromyalgia patients compared with the other disease-related fatigue.(10)

Also read roles of vitamin D in chronic fatigue and body aches.

CoQ10 and Liver health

Although endogenous CoQ₁₀ synthesis occurs throughout the body, a major part of CoQ10 synthesis occurs in the liver. Apart from other factors liver disorders like impaired metabolic capacity, a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease also have a negative impact on heart function and cardiovascular health hypertension. CoQ10 supplementation may also benefit cardiovascular problems in patients with the liver disease within the liver by reducing inflammation and free radical cell damage.

A number of studies in animal models have demonstrated the ability of CoQ₁₀ to reduce or prevent the development of liver cirrhosis following a variety of toxic effects including toxic chemicals, medicinal drugs, and bacterial parasites. In the clinical human study, scientists observed depleted CoQ10 blood levels in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients. In randomized controlled clinical trials observed supplementing CoQ10 100 mg/day resulted in significant reductions in blood markers for inflammation and liver damage in NAFLD patients. (11)

CoQ10 and Kidney health

Another area of high concentration of CoQ₁₀ synthesis is the kidney.  Researchers found a significantly low level of plasma CoQ10 in patients of chronic kidney disease. Evidence also indicates that CoQ10 supplementation may improve kidney function and reduce the need for dialysis in patients with patients of chronic kidney disease. In RCT CoQ10 supplementation 100 mg three times daily for three months improved renal function as well as decreased numbers of the requirement of dialysis from 21 to 12. (11)

CoQ10 and Diabetes

Supplemental CoQ10 may benefit type II diabetes via several mechanisms, for example by promoting enhanced levels of cellular energy required for glucose metabolism, or via direct modulation of the expression of genes relevant to glucose metabolism, or via its antioxidant action. Although Eriksson et al. found no significant benefit of CoQ10 supplementation on glycaemic control in type II diabetics, subsequent studies reported CoQ10 supplementation significantly improved fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels.

Similarly, glycaemic control and blood antioxidant levels were significantly improved in type II diabetics following CoQ₁₀ supplementation 100 mg/day for three months. Numbers of RCTs reported supplementing CoQ₁₀ (200 mg/day for three months) improved glycaemic control, reduced blood levels of oxidative stress markers, improved endothelial function/blood flow, and reduced cardiovascular risk. (11) 100 mg CoQ10 supplementation for 12 weeks among peoples with a hormonal disorder like polycystic ovary syndrome had beneficial effects on glucose metabolism, serum total- and LDL-cholesterol levels. (12)

CoQ10 and Headache/Migraine

Evidence also suggests beneficial results of CoQ₁₀ in migraine. In a study in Switzerland among 42, both and women with migraine with and without aura had taken 100 mg liquid CoQ10 three times daily for three months. Researchers observed CoQ10 modestly decreased frequency of attack by one migraine in one month along with slightly decreased numbers of days. They found CoQ10 as efficacious and well-tolerated. (13)

In another RCT study in Iran, 46 patients with migraines had taken supplementation 400 mg/day (into two divided parts) of CoQ10 for three months. Researchers observed CoQ10 supplementation significantly decreased the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks compared with placebo. They also observed a significant reduction in lactate and nitric oxide in blood level which may increase in people with migraines. (14)

Also read vitamins, supplements and herbs and essential oils to relieve migraine pain.

CoQ10 and Longevity

A major factor affecting longevity includes the development of degenerative disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease. Randomized controlled clinical trials have shown supplementation with CoQ10 or CoQ10 plus selenium reduces mortality by approximately 50% in patients with cardiovascular disease, or in the normal elderly population, respectively. Similarly, CoQ10 supplementation improves glycaemic control and vascular dysfunction in type II diabetes, improves renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease, and reduces liver inflammation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The beneficial role of supplemental CoQ10 in the above disorders is considered to result from a combination of its roles in cellular energy generation, as an antioxidant and as an anti-inflammatory agent. (11)

In modern days inflammation stands as a major risk factor in the development of chronic diseases. And it has strong shreds of evidence supported by numbers of Meta-analysis of RCTs that CoQ₁₀ supplementation reduces inflammation. (15,16,17)

CoQ10 and Fertility

Both energy generation and antioxidant defense play important roles in infertility in both males as well as females. CoQ₁₀ may also contribute to fertility by improving mitochondrial energy as well as reducing oxidation and supporting their normal function.

Supplementing CoQ₁₀ 200–300 mg per day of has shown to improve sperm concentration, density, and also motility in men with infertility. (18)

Similarly, CoQ₁₀ supplementation has shown to stimulate ovarian response and help slow ovarian aging in women. (19, 20)

Also read details about roles of ashwagandha or Withania Somnifera in men’s fertility.

CoQ10 deficiency signs & symptoms and cause

CoQ10 deficiency signs & symptoms

The CoQ₁₀ molecule has several critical functions in cells throughout the body. And thus CoQ₁₀ deficiency can affect many parts of the body. Deficiency signs and symptoms can appear as (21,22, 23)

• Seizures
• Mental confusion, Intellectual disability
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Poor muscle tone
• Abnormal eye movements, vision loss
• Hearing loss
• Impair kidney function
• Heart problem like shortness of breath, chest pain
• Blood in the urine
• Frequent infections
• Diabetes

However these symptoms may appears from other reasons also.

CoQ10 deficiency cause (23,24)

Some factors that can cause CoQ₁₀ deficiency in your body include as:

• CoQ10 production decreases with age. Therefore older people tend to be CoQ10 deficient
• Nutritional deficiencies like vitamin B6 or pyridoxine deficiency
• Genetic factor in synthesis or utilization
• Increased demand as a result of disease
• Use of cholesterol-lowering medication statin   
• Increased free radical damage with aging

Bottom line

As CoQ₁₀ plays many key roles throughout the body, so deficiency may cause many health-related dysfunctions. And supplementation can help in many ways in the case of deficiency. For dose and safety, you can go to our previous article. Also, read how to achieve perfect health.

Disclaimer: Information provided here are generalized information 
for educational purpose only,  not intended to provide one to one 
health consultation or replace practice of a qualified 
practitioner. Different people may have different health 
condition and may have different reaction to the same food. Hence 
it has been advised to consult with health care provider before 
application of any of above guidelines.
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