CoQ10 benefits enhanced by grapefruit juice, new study shows
Taking your daily CoQ10 supplement with grapefruit juice can increase its effectiveness by an astonishing 50 percent, according to new Japanese research.
A 2010 study conducted by Hokkaido University suggests that intestinal absorption of coenzyme Q10 is significantly improved by the introduction of grapefruit juice. The juice increases the bioavailability of the coenzyme by inhibiting the production of a specific cell membrane protein called P-glycoprotein, the researchers said.
CoQ10 is a naturally produced vitamin-like substance found in every cell in the body, but it is most concentrated in the heart, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. It is present in the mitochondria or “power plant” of every cell, where it plays a crucial role in the production of chemical energy.
The coenzyme is necessary for the basic functioning of all cells, but the body’s ability to produce it peaks around the age of 20 and declines rapidly after the age of 40. Although supplementation is a solution, low absorption and less than optimal bioavailability are longstanding. problems with CoQ10 supplements. The findings of the Japanese study suggest that “co-administration of CoQ10 with grapefruit juice is a readily accessible way to improve intestinal absorption.”
But while the juice’s ability to effect protein activity increases the amount of CoQ10 the cell can absorb, the same action can have serious negative effects on the body’s ability to absorb certain prescription drugs. Grapefruit juice has been shown to interfere with the production of enzymes that metabolize certain medications, including commonly prescribed statins for high blood pressure and medications for high cholesterol and irregular heartbeat.
People taking medications are advised to consult their doctors before adding grapefruit juice to their diets.
In addition to its key role in energy production at the cellular level, CoQ10 has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant capable of reducing, repairing, and even preventing free radical damage. Byproducts of cellular oxidation, free radicals are chemically unstable molecules that kill off and damage other cells. This damage has been associated with a number of diseases and is involved in virtually all age-related disorders.
A growing body of international research indicates that supplemental CoQ10 may be an effective adjunctive treatment for many conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, gum disease, diabetes, and both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, low coenzyme levels are strongly associated with certain types of cancer, including breast, lung, prostate, pancreatic, colon, and kidney cancers, raising the prospect of supplementation as a possible treatment.