Nourishing and health benefits of coenzyme Q(10) - a review

Coenzyme Q(10) is an important mitochondrial redox component and endogenously produced lipid-soluble antioxidant of the human organism. It plays a crucial role in the generation of cellular energy, enhances the immune system, and acts as a free radical scavenger. Ageing, poor eating habits, stress, and infection - they all affect the organism's ability to provide adequate amounts of CoQ(10). After the age of about 35, the organism begins to lose the ability to synthesise CoQ(10) from food and its deficiency develops. Many researches suggest that using CoQ(10) supplements alone or in combination with other nutritional supplements may help maintain health of elderly people or treat some of the health problems or diseases. Due to these functions, CoQ(10) finds its application in different commercial branches such as food, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical industries. This review article gives a survey of the history, chemical and physical properties, biochemistry and antioxidant activity of CoQ(10) in the human organism. It discusses levels of CoQ(10) in the organisms of healthy people, stressed people, and patients with various diseases. This paper shows the distribution and contents of two ubiquinones in foods, especially in several kinds of grapes, the benefits of CoQ(10) as nutritional and topical supplements and its therapeutic applications in various diseases.