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Coenzyme Q10 – Fuel for Our Cells

How the body’s own antioxidant supports cell health and strengthens the immune system

•25. Juni 2025• 6 min Lesezeit • Fachlich geprüft von Dr. Anna Falk am
Coenzyme Q10 - fuel for our cells: food sources and foods rich in Q10.

Coenzyme Q10, also as Ubiquinone known, is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like molecule that naturally occurs in every cell in our body occurs. This enzyme is a regular part of our diet, but is also used endogenously synthesized. Q10 is essential for the efficient transfer of electrons within the mitochondria and for the Energy production within cells.

Moreover, Q10 is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants fight harmful particles in the body known as free radicals are known. These damage cell membranes, alter DNA, and even cause cell death. Scientists believe that free radicals contribute to the Aging process contribute to and cause a range of health problems, including Heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants such as Q10 can neutralize free radicals and some of the Reduce or even prevent damage.

Symbolbild: Ein goldener Coenzym Q10 Tropfen auf funkelndem Hintergrund

The Q10 levels in the body can decrease with age and the use of certain medications. [1]

A healthy eating or a dietary supplement can help increase Q10 levels.

In this article, we primarily want to possible benefits and sources von Q10 discuss.

Q10 and Heart Health

Eine Frau nutzt Coenzym Q10 für Herzgesundheit

According to the 2022 US guidelines (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/The Heart Failure Society of America), the Supplementation with Q10 vascular mortality (mortality refers to the number of deaths in a given period relative to the total number of individuals), which All-cause mortality and hospitalizations for heart failure after 2 years effective. However, a long-term supplementation required.

A recently published systematic review showed that Q10 supplementation alongside standard therapy in patients with moderate to severe heart failure with a Relief of symptoms and a reduction in serious events is associated with the heart and vascular system. [2,3]

Supplementation shows promising results in the Improvement in endothelial function (regulation of blood pressure, e.g. through the production of nitric oxide (NO), and regulation of substance exchange between tissues and the vascular system) in several patient groups. According to the available studies, Q10 can Endothelial function in patients with heart failure improve. [4,5]

Likewise, compared to a placebo, Q10 improves the Endothelial function in the peripheral circulation of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. [6]

There are also indications that a Q10 supplement combined with selenium in healthy older patients and patients with diabetes, high blood pressure and ischemic heart disease the reduce cardiovascular mortality risk can. [7]

Q10 and Migraines

A Migraine is a recurring type of headache that causes severe throbbing pain or a pulsating sensation. In people who suffer from migraines, low Q10 levels observed. [8]

A study of people with migraines found that a Q10 supplementation for at least six weeks the frequency and duration of migraines discounted. [9]

Q10 and Skin Aging

Eine Frau hat jugendliche Haut mit Coenzym Q10

Some evidence suggests that Q10 applied to the skin (e.g. in creams) can help to visible signs of skin aging to combat. It is therefore possible that oral dietary supplements do the same. This could be because it free radicals reduced, which contribute to the formation of wrinkles in the skin. [10]

Q10 and the eyes

Retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa and glaucoma are the leading causes of blindness worldwide and are caused by oxidative stress caused. In the retina, high oxygen consumption leads to Cell damage and consequently possible retinal degeneration. Due to its antioxidant properties Q10 has shown potentially positive effects in patients with retinal diseases. In particular, it was found that Q10 positive effects on glaucoma has, a neurodegenerative disease in which oxidative stress affects the optic nerve. [11]

Further studies showed that a oral CoQ10 supplementation (100 mg per day) in combination with vitamins also that Visual field in retinal dysfunction caused by vascular disease improved. [12]

In summary, Q10 can be said to have a role in various retinal diseases protective effects shown by reducing oxidative stress, thereby leading to a Key molecule for eye health becomes.

Q10 and Fertility

Symbolbild: Q10 als Hilfe zur verbesserten Fruchtbarkeit

Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive a child after more than a year, is a widespread and growing burden affecting 50 to 80 million people are affected.

The causes of infertility vary and affect both male as well as female partners.

Oxidative stress, which is often associated with metabolic disorders and aging, is an important factor affecting the quality of reproductive cells, and accordingly, the therapeutic use of Antioxidants a common strategy for increasing fertility rates.

Among antioxidant interventions, Q10 has an effect both on the Improvement in sperm quality in terms of both count and motility positively. [13,14]

Q10 and Lung Health

It is assumed that Q10 the Lung function in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can improve. Both inflammation and oxidative stress can negatively affect lung function and respiratory muscle performance in people with COPD. Since Q10 anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties has, it may improve lung function in people with COPD. [15]

In studies on rats, Q10 reduced the Pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the tissue around the air sacs in the lungs), which was caused by treatment with the drug methotrexate. [16]

Q10, Cancer and Cancer Treatment

Eine krebskranke Frau mit positiver Ausstrahlung

Theoretically, Q10 can, due to its antioxidant properties contribute to the to prevent cancer from developing.

Several preclinical studies (Research conducted in a laboratory or on animals to determine whether a drug, procedure, or treatment is likely to be useful in humans) was conducted with the following results:

  • Animal studies have shown that Q10 the Strengthens the immune system and helps the body to fight infections and types of cancer.
  • Q10 contributed to the Protection of laboratory animals' hearts in whom the cancer drug doxorubicin, which can damage the heart muscle, was administered.

Human studies (clinical trials) have shown the following results:

  • Q10 helped, the Heart from the harmful side effects of doxorubicin to protect.
  • In three small studies on Q10 in Breast cancer patients seemed to help some female patients.

Due to the small sample size and the way the studies were conducted, further clinical studies required. [17]

Q10 and the side effects of statins

Statins are medications that lower cholesterol levels. As a side effect, they can Muscle pain and weakness cause. Some studies suggest that Q10 may reduce these side effects.

A 2018 review found that taking Q10 supplements statin-induced muscle pain, weakness, cramps, and fatigue relieved. [18]

Q10 and Exercise

Some small studies suggest that Q10 the Delays fatigue and recovery after training improvements could be made. [19]

A 2023 systematic review of 19 studies concluded that taking 30 to 300 mg Q10 the antioxidant activity and anaerobic performance increased while also reducing markers associated with oxidative stress and liver damage in athletes in connection with. [20]

Q10 in Foods

Nahrungsmittel mit hohem Q10-Gehalt

The main dietary sources of Q10 include Meat, oily fish (such as salmon and tuna), organ meats (such as liver), or eggs. Also in certain cooking oils such as soybean, rapeseed or sesame oil, nuts or legumes corresponding amounts of Q10 can be found.

Q10 is also found in much smaller amounts in Dairy products, vegetables, fruit and grains included. Therefore, potential supplementation for worth considering for vegetarians and vegans.

Our verdict

Also over 60 years after its discovery, Q10 research still meets with great interest, both in terms of its multifaceted mechanism of action as well as on his wide range of applications in human health!

And that rightly!

Here you'll find our Q10 combined with vitamin C, two important oxidants for your cellular health, in handmade vegan capsules:

Coenzym Q10 Kapseln von Vitalplant

We warmly invite you to become part of our Community to become, where you can ask your questions or take part in discussions about health:

Quellenangaben & Studien 20
  1. Barcelos IP und Haas RH (2019)CoQ10 and Aging. Biology.doi.org
  2. Bhatt KN und Butler J (2018)Myocardial Energetics and Heart Failure: a Review of Recent Therapeutic Trials. Current heart failure reports.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Belardinelli R et al. (2006)Coenzyme Q10 and exercise training in chronic heart failure. European heart journal.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Dai YL et al. (2011)Reversal of mitochondrial dysfunction by coenzyme Q10 supplement improves endothelial function in patients with ischaemic left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial. Atherosclerosis.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Zozina VI et al. (2018)Coenzyme Q10 in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases: Current State of the Problem. Current cardiology reviews.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Watts GF et al. (2002)Coenzyme Q(10) improves endothelial dysfunction of the brachial artery in Type II diabetes mellitus. Diabetologia.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  7. Alehagen U et al. (2018)Still reduced cardiovascular mortality 12 years after supplementation with selenium and coenzyme Q10 for four years: A validation of previous 10-year follow-up results of a prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in elderly. PloS one.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  8. Testai L et al. (2021)Coenzyme Q10: Clinical Applications beyond Cardiovascular Diseases. Nutrients.doi.org
  9. Sazali S et al. (2021)Coenzyme Q10 supplementation for prophylaxis in adult patients with migraine—a meta-analysis. BMJ Open.doi.org
  10. Knott A et al. (2015)Topical treatment with coenzyme Q10-containing formulas improves skin's Q10 level and provides antioxidative effects. BioFactors.doi.org
  11. Noh YH et al. (2013)Inhibition of oxidative stress by coenzyme Q10 increases mitochondrial mass and improves bioenergetic function in optic nerve head astrocytes. Cell death & disease.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  12. Fernández-Vega B et al. (2020)The Use of Vitamins and Coenzyme Q10 for the Treatment of Vascular Occlusion Diseases Affecting the Retina. Nutrients.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  13. Alahmar AT et al. (2021)Coenzyme Q10 Improves Sperm Parameters, Oxidative Stress Markers and Sperm DNA Fragmentation in Infertile Patients with Idiopathic Oligoasthenozoospermia. The world journal of men's health.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  14. Nadjarzadeh A et al. (2014)Effect of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on antioxidant enzymes activity and oxidative stress of seminal plasma: a double-blind randomised clinical trial. Andrologia.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  15. Zozina VI et al. (2021)Coenzyme Q10 in COPD: An Unexplored Opportunity? COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.doi.org
  16. Mohamed DI et al. (2019)Coenzyme Q10 attenuates lung and liver fibrosis via modulation of autophagy in methotrexate treated rat. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.doi.org
  17. National Cancer InstitutePDQ-Zusammenfassung im NCBI Bookshelf (NBK65828)
  18. Qu H et al. (2018)Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Statin‐Induced Myopathy: An Updated Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of the American Heart Association.doi.org
  19. Suzuki Y et al. (2021)Short-term ubiquinol-10 supplementation alleviates tissue damage in muscle and fatigue caused by strenuous exercise in male distance runners. International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research.doi.org
  20. Fernandes MS et al. (2023)Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Athletes: A Systematic Review. Nutrients.doi.org
Christian Lazar
Über den Autor

Christian Lazar

Approbierter Apotheker · Gründer & Geschäftsführer · Pharmazeut

Christian Lazar bringt über 35 Jahre pharmazeutische Erfahrung in Vitalplant ein. Nach Jahrzehnten in der eigenen Apotheke gründete er das Unternehmen, um Nahrungsergänzungsmittel zu entwickeln, die er guten Gewissens auch der eigenen Familie empfehlen würde – ohne Kompromisse bei Reinheit und Qualität.

PhytotherapieMikronährstoffeOrthomolekulare MedizinPharmazeutische Qualitätssicherung
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Dr. Anna Falk
Fachlich geprüft von
Dr. Anna Falk
Dr. rer. nat. in Organischer Chemie · Wissenschaftliche Leiterin

„Dieser Artikel wurde vor Veröffentlichung auf wissenschaftliche Korrektheit geprüft.“— Geprüft am 10. Oktober 2026

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