The body uses two forms of COQ10. Ubiquinone is the better known form, also known as the oxidized form, used primarily for energy production in the electron transport energy cycle inside the cell.
Ubiquinol is the reduced, antioxidant form of CoQ10. Ubiquinol plays a primary role of decreasing oxidative damage caused by lipid peroxidation within mitochondria. According to research, plasma ubiquinol is decreased in patients with hyperlipidemia.
There is evidence that suggests that the ability to convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol may diminish with age, resulting in diminished protection against oxidative stress and reduced energy levels. ubiquinol may provide a strong initial stage defense against cellular oxidative damage and requires supplementing to maintain optimum health.
Researchers at East Texas Medical Center found that patients with advanced congestive heart failure taking high doses ofubiquinone CoQ10 were not able to achieve adequate improvements in blood serum CoQ10 levels. When switched to ubiquinol, blood COQ10 levels improved dramatically with a consequential improvement in clinical symptoms and left ventricular function. It is also being studied for its effects on TNF alpha, and therefore, inflammation.
