Coenzyme-Q10
Coenzyme-Q10 (CoQ10) is fat-soluble molecule found in animal products, beans, nuts, seeds, and avocado. While our bodies can synthesize CoQ10, its levels can fall with age, statin use, and mitochondrial dysfunction [Martami, 2023; Rauchova, 2021].
CoQ10 is essential to mitochondrial energy metabolism and is a cellular membrane antioxidant. CoQ10 also supports the antioxidant function of vitamin E by regenerating oxidized vitamin E [Martami, 2023]. CoQ10 also plays an important role in maintaining cell membrane physiology, including the transport of molecules across the membrane [Rauchova, 2021].
In clinical studies, CoQ10 supplementation is effective for migraine prevention [Sandor, 2005; Slater, 2011; Rozen, 2002]. Other conditions that may benefit from CoQ10 supplementation include Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, and acute ischemic strokes [Ramezani, 2020; Sawaddiruk, 2019; Yoritaka, 2015].
References
Martami F, Holton KF. Targeting glutamate neurotoxicity through dietary manipulation: potential treatment for migraine. Nutrients 2023;15:3952
Ramezani M., Sahraei Z., Simani L., Heydari K., Shahidi F. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation in acute ischemic stroke: Is it beneficial in short-term administration? Nutr. Neurosci. 2020;23:640–645.
Rauchova H. Coenzyme Q10 effects in neurological diseases. Physiol Res 2023;70:S683-714
Rozen T., Oshinsky M., Gebeline C., et al. Open label trial of coenzyme Q10 as a migraine preventive. Cephalalgia. 2002;22:137–141
Sândor P.S., Di Clemente L., Coppola G., et al. Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis: A randomized controlled trial. Neurology. 2005;64:713–715
Sawaddiruk P., Apaijai N., Paiboonworachat S., et al. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation alleviates pain in pregabalin-treated fibromyalgia patients via reducing brain activity and mitochondrial dysfunction. Free Radic. Res. 2019;53:901–909
Slater SK, Nelson TD, Kabbouche MA, et al. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover, add-on study of CoEnzyme Q10 in the prevention of pediatric and adolescent migraine. Cephalalgia. 2011;31:897–905
Yoritaka A., Kawajiri S., Yamamoto Y., et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of reduced coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsonism Relat. Disord. 2015;21:911–916
