Our body needs energy to live. It absorbs most of it through food and drink. In each of our cells, mitochondria work like small power plants to convert the nutrients we take in with food into the universal energy carrier ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Coenzyme Q10 plays a key role in this process, known as oxidative phosphorylation. Q10 is considered a vitaminoid because it is structurally related to vitamin K and vitamin E. The reduced, phenolic form is called ubihydroquinone or ubiquinol (QH 2 for short). and is the most active form of the coenzyme.
Organs such as the heart and lungs, which require a lot of energy, have a particularly high concentration of Q10. The body can produce the coenzyme itself. However, production decreases after the age of 30. A balanced diet serves as an external source for Q10 intake. Fish, meat, pulses, nuts, vegetable oils and vegetables such as cabbage, spinach and broccoli are particularly rich in Q10.
If the body does not have enough Q10 available, it cannot produce enough energy in the form of ATP. In addition, a lack of the coenzyme increases the proliferation of free radicals and thus leads to oxidative stress. An important task of our immune system is to protect us from these free radicals, which can be released by environmental influences, stress, medication, cigarettes, alcohol, but also by competitive sports. By binding them in the body, antioxidants protect against free radicals.