Coenzyme Q10 – An Energizing Immune Support Nutrient

Coenzyme Q10 is required for any cell in your body to produce energy, helping to finish the final steps of ATP synthesis (ATP is cellular energy).  Your immune system requires a tremendous amount of ATP to aggressively mount a defense against any invader.  Your body cannot substitute something else for Q10.  This means that if you don’t have enough Q10, then your energy production and an efficient immune response will be reduced accordingly. 

While your liver can synthesize Q10, levels of Q10 decline with age.  Early studies with mice showed that immune depression was associated with an atrophied thymus gland and lack of Q10 during aging¹.  Q10 showed it could help reverse the atrophy of the thymus gland² associated with aging, a finding that was linked to a better immune response.  Your thymus gland is a primary gland of your lymph system and the key school your immune cells go to for training. 

Another mouse study showed that pretreatment with Q10 could reduce the severity of experimentally induced viral infection of the heart³. 

A study with human sinus cells⁴ showed that Q10, like quercetin, could prevent free radical DNA damage.  Cells lining your sinuses are often the first to come in contact with a potential invader.

There are a number of human studies that demonstrate the immune support properties of Q10. 

One study involved a group of elderly Italians.  It found that poor natural killer cell function⁵ was associated with a lack of Q10 and vitamin E (Q10 and vitamin E work synergistically).  Natural killer cells are part of your front line troops (innate immunity) that are needed to knock out cells that have been infected by a virus. 

Another study showed that Q10 supplementation⁶ boosted the production of T Helper cells and IgG antibodies, two types of immune cells involved with your higher-powered immune response (adaptive immunity) that is also required to fight any viral infection. 

One study found that severity of HIV infection⁷ was associated with a progressive deficiency of Q10.  Several individuals at the beginning phase of HIV infection⁸ were kept symptom free over a four year period by using Q10.

Yet another study demonstrated increased macrophage Type of white blood cell designed to "eat up" debris and pathogens. It also stimulates various cells to respond to pathogens. activity by Q10⁹ (another important aspect of innate immunity) while helping to increase the survival time in cancer patients (implying an improved immune response).

Lymphocytes (T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells) of fibromyalgia Chronic pain disorder characterized by wide spread pain. Research suggests that central nervous system pain processing signals are in a state of dysfunction causing abnormal signaling. patients¹⁰ have been shown to have a 40% reduction in Q10.  The lack of sustainable energy in individuals with fibromyalgia Chronic pain disorder characterized by wide spread pain. Research suggests that central nervous system pain processing signals are in a state of dysfunction causing abnormal signaling. is of course a challenge to mounting an adequate immune response.  Q10 levels are also lowered, as an adverse side effect, by any person taking a statin Class of drugs aka HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, that are used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme that plays a central role in liver function and cholesterol production.¹¹.

While even a dose of 30 mg of Q10 per day will raise blood levels, a dose of 100 mg per day¹⁵¹² is very good at raising blood levels for excellent baseline support of optimal energy production.  A dose of 180 mg per day was able to raise the antibody response to the Hepatitis B vaccine by 57%¹³, once again confirming the immune potentiating properties of Q10.  A dose of 200 mg per day¹⁴ has been found helpful by a majority of fibromyalgia Chronic pain disorder characterized by wide spread pain. Research suggests that central nervous system pain processing signals are in a state of dysfunction causing abnormal signaling. patients.  A dose of 100 mg per day¹⁵¹² can help offset the adverse depletion of Q10 caused by statins.

Q10 helps provide energy for optimal immune cell function, it works synergistically with vitamin E as an antioxidant, and it helps calm down the key gene signal involved with excessive inflammation¹⁶ (NF-kappaB Protein complex that controls DNA transcription and is involved with cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals, UV radiation, oxidized LDL, and infections. ).  All three of these support features contribute to optimal immune function.  Q10 should be considered by any person as a tool in their immune support toolbox.  It is especially helpful for older individuals or any person that is struggling with their energy level.