Healthy ageing is increasingly recognised as a process that begins at the cellular level, with mitochondrial health playing a central role.
As a critical coenzyme and antioxidant, ubiquinol supports the body’s ability to produce energy, combat oxidative stress and maintain the function of vital organs and systems. By replenishing declining ubiquinol levels through supplementation, individuals can sustain energy, vitality and overall health as they age, empowering them to live a more active life.
The science behind ubiquinol: Actions and benefits
Ubiquinol has two main functions in the body:
- Fuel for the mitochondria in cells to produce energy
- Antioxidant for reducing free radical damage to cells
Through these actions, ubiquinol supports the function and health of body systems, including the heart and cardiovascular, immune, reproductive, musculoskeletal, brain and nervous systems, contributing to a long and vital life.
Obtaining ubiquinol from the diet alone is challenging. To consume 100mg of ubiquinol, a basic therapeutic dose, an individual would need to eat approximately 60 avocados, 50 cups of spinach, 34 chicken breasts, 120 cans of sardines or 133 tablespoons of olive oil daily – an unrealistic task.¹
Additionally, ubiquinol production and levels in the body start to decline after the age of 20, and are further impacted by oxidative stress, disease and medications. Supplementation bridges this gap, ensuring optimal levels of this vital nutrient to support health and longevity.²⁻⁷
Kaneka Ubiquinol™ is bioidentical to the active ubiquinol found in the body, produced via a patented yeast fermentation and precise Japanese manufacturing techniques. Backed by over 100 studies, 80 patents and 45 years of research, it is trusted by over 1000 nutraceutical brands worldwide.
It has been recognised by the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2024 for ‘Healthy Ageing’, the Functional Foods for Wellness Summit (FFWS) 2024 for ‘Annual Ingredient Cardiovascular Health Award’ and the Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) Industry Awards 2024 for ‘Raw Material Supplier of the Year’.
Cardiovascular health: Protecting the heart
The heart is a powerful muscle that contains high concentrations of mitochondria, reflecting its immense energy demands. Kaneka Ubiquinol supports cardiovascular health by:⁹⁻¹¹
- Supporting endothelial function and blood vessel health
- Helping maintain healthy cholesterol
- Enhancing mitochondrial energy production in the heart, improving overall heart health and function and reducing fatigue
An important aspect of cardiovascular health support is the co-prescribing of ubiquinol with cholesterol-lowering medications, as directed by a healthcare practitioner.
Cholesterol lowering support works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase that produces cholesterol. This enzyme is also important for the body’s production of ubiquinol.¹²⁻¹³ Research has shown that cholesterol lowering support may reduce plasma ubiquinol levels by up to 45%, potentially leading to side effects such as muscle pain and fatigue.¹⁴
Supplementing with Kaneka Ubiquinol as directed by a healthcare practitioner, alongside cholesterol lowering support has been demonstrated to counteract these effects.¹⁴⁻²¹
Supporting brain function
A 2021 randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial, in 90 healthy men and women aged 50-83 years, found that with just 100mg of Kaneka Ubiquinol a day improved memory, attentiveness and work processing ability in middle-aged and elderly people. This shows the potential of Kaneka Ubiquinol as a key supplement for supporting brain health and cognitive performance, and combating age-related cognitive decline.²²
Women’s health: Enhancing energy, mood and vitality
As women age, they often face challenges such as reduced energy, hormonal changes and mood fluctuations. Kaneka Ubiquinol, a powerful antioxidant and energy booster, offers targeted support for women’s health by addressing these concerns.
Clinical studies show that Kaneka Ubiquinol supplementation could improve mood, alleviate menopausal symptoms and enhance overall quality of life:²³⁻²⁴
- A 2024 study found that 100mg of Kaneka Ubiquinol daily, combined with social exercise, significantly improved mood scores in older women
- The benefits were attributed to its role in supporting mitochondrial energy production and antioxidant activity
Ubiquinol has also been shown to enhance energy levels and physical vitality in older women, enabling them to stay active and independent.
By promoting healthy mitochondrial function, Kaneka Ubiquinol helps women combat the effects of ageing, from mood stability to improved energy levels.
Fertility challenges affect one in six couples globally, with age being a significant factor. As couples increasingly choose to start families later in life, maintaining optimal reproductive health becomes crucial.²⁵ Kaneka Ubiquinol, with its proven benefits for mitochondrial function and antioxidant support, offers targeted fertility support for both men and women.²⁶⁻²⁷
Energy and vitality
Feelings of lack of energy and vitality are a common issue for much of the population, with up to 20% of the global population complaining of fatigue for various reasons such as ageing, stress and lack of quality sleep.²⁸
Kaneka Ubiquinol, a potent antioxidant and key driver of mitochondrial energy production, is scientifically proven to combat fatigue and support energy levels, even as we age.
In a 2019 study, participants who supplemented with 100mg of Kaneka Ubiquinol daily for eight weeks experienced reduced stress and improved sleep quality, helping them feel more energised and restored.²⁹
Another study in 2020 found that 100-150mg of Kaneka Ubiquinol taken daily for 12 weeks significantly reduced fatigue and improved energy levels in healthy individuals.³⁰ These benefits stem from its ability to:
- Support mitochondrial ATP production, the energy currency of cells
- Protect cells from oxidative stress that contributes to energy depletion
Market insights and consumer behaviour
The growing demand for health and wellness products reflects rising consumer awareness of proactive healthcare. Insights into global health challenges reveal significant opportunities for nutraceutical brands to address key concerns such as fatigue, cardiovascular health and fertility.
Fatigue affects people globally, with consumers seeking solutions to combat low energy levels and maintain productivity. Energy is emerging as a highly desirable benefit for functional products. This trend is particularly pronounced among individuals over aged 30 who are increasingly focused on sustaining energy and vitality as they balance demanding lifestyles with healthy ageing.³¹
With over half a billion people globally affected by cardiovascular diseases, heart health remains a major area of concern and a top priority. The rising prevalence of chronic heart conditions among younger demographics further highlights the need for scientifically backed products. This is especially among baby boomers, Gen X and millennials who value preventative measures and scientifically-backed solutions.³¹
An increasing number of couples choosing to start families later in life, and growing awareness of the role of nutrition in reproductive health, are driving the demand for fertility supplements. These factors are also fuelling interest in preventative approaches. Countries like China and India are experiencing significant growth in fertility supplement consumption, further driving demand in this market.³²
Opportunities for innovation
Kaneka Ubiquinol provides a competitive edge with its scientific credibility, health benefits and sustainable production. Explore how it can support your product portfolio by visiting here or emailing hello@ubiquinol.net.au.
References
1. Schulman, R.; et al. Ubiquinol content in common foods. 2023.
2. Varela-Lopez, A.; et al. Coenzyme Q and its role in the dietary therapy against aging. Molecules 2016;21(3):373.
3. Kontush, A.; et al. Plasma ubiquinol-10 as a marker for disease: Is the assay worthwhile? BioFactors 1999;9(2-4):225-229.
4. Yamamoto, Y.; et al. Plasma ubiquinone to ubiquinol ratio in patients with hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatoma, and in patients treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary reperfusion. BioFactors 1999;9(2-4):241-246.
5. Wada, H.; et al. Redox status of coenzyme Q10 is associated with chronological age. J Am Geriatrics Society 2007;55(7):1141-1142.
6. Schirrmacher, V.; et al. Mitochondria at work: New insights into regulation and dysregulation of cellular energy supply and metabolism. Biomedicines 2020;8(11).
7. Soni, A.; et al. Coenzyme Q10 therapy in current clinical practice. Intern J Res Med Sci 2015;3(4):817.
8. World Heart Federation. World heart report 2023 confronting the world’s number one killer.
9. Kawashima, C.; et al. Ubiquinol improves endothelial function in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A single-center, randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover pilot study. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 2020;20(4):363-372.
10. Sabbatinelli, J.; et al. Ubiquinol ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in subjects with mild-to-moderate dyslipidemia: a randomized clinical trial. Nutrients 2020;12(4):1098.
11. Di Lorenzo, A.; et al. Clinical evidence for Q10 coenzyme supplementation in heart failure: from energetics to functional improvement. J Clin Med 2020;9(5):1266.
12. Maladkar, M.; et al. Coenzyme Q10: The cardiac bio-energizer in cardiovascular diseases. J Cardiol Cardiovasc Ther 2016;1(14):1-8.
13. Littarru, G.P.; et al. Coenzyme Q10 and statins: biochemical and clinical implications. Mitochondrion 2007;7:S168-174
14. Pacanowski, M.A.; et al. Plasma coenzyme Q10 predicts lipid lowering response to high-dose atorvastatin. J Clin Lipidol 2008;2(4):289-297.
15. Silver, M.A.; et al. Effect of atorvastatin on left ventricular diastolic function and ability of coenzyme Q10 to reverse that dysfunction. Am J Cardiol 2004;94(10):1306-1310.
16. Skarlovnik, A.; et al. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation decreases statin-related mild-to-moderate muscle symptoms: a randomized clinical study. Medical Science Monitor: Internat Med J Experiment Clini Res 2014;20:2183-2188.
17. Zlatohlavek, L.; et al. The effect of coenzyme Q10 in statin myopathy. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2012;33:98-101.
18. Marcoff, L.; et al. The role of coenzyme Q10 in statin-associated myopathy: a systematic review. J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;49(23):2231-2237.
19. Littarru, GP.; et al. Bioenergetic and antioxidant properties of coenzyme Q10: recent developments. Mol Biotechnol 2007;37(1):31-37.
20. Harper, C.R.; et al. The broad spectrum of statin myopathy: from myalgia to rhabdomyolysis. Curr Opin Lipidol 2007;18(4):401-408.
21. Wyman, M.; et al. Coenzyme Q10: a therapy for hypertension and statin-induced myalgia? Cleve Clin J Med 2010;77(7):435-442.
22. Kinoshita, T.; et al. The effects of ubiquinol (reduced form of coenzyme Q10) on memory, attentiveness, and work processing ability in healthy middled-aged and elderly residents – a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Jpn Pharmacol Ther 2021;49:1739-1747.
23. Palacios, S.; et al. The effectiveness of Coenzyme Q-10 (ubiquinol) on the quality of life in postmenopausal women. Toko-Gin Pract 2019;78(1):3-7.
24. Ota, M.; et al. The effects of Ubiquinol intake and sociophysical training on the activation of psychological and infrared camera-measured body temperature physiology and blood molecular markers: A pilot study among healthy female older adults. Appl Sci 2024;14(6):2366.
25. World Health Organization. 1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility: WHO.
26. Safarinejad, M.R.; et al. Effects of the reduced form of coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) on semen parameters in men with idiopathic infertility: A double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized study. J Urol 2012;188(2):526-531.
27. Thakur, A.S.; et al. Effect of ubiquinol on serum reproductive hormones of amenorrhic patients. Indian J Clin Biochem 2016;31(3):342-348.
28. Yoon, J.H.; et al. The demographic features of fatigue in the general population worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health 2023;11:1192121.
29. Morikawa, H.; et al. Reduced form of coenzyme Q10 relieves daily life stress and improves sleep quality in healthy subjects with high stress sensitivity. Jpn Pharmacol Ther 2019;47:8.
30. Mizuno, K.; et al. Ubiquinol-10 intake is effective in relieving mild fatigue in healthy individuals. Nutrients 2020;12(6):1640.
31. Innova Market Insights. Top 10 Trend Highlights Prioritizing Prevention.
32. Future Market Insights. Fertility Supplements Market.
*Disclaimer* Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Consult your healthcare professional to establish if ubiquinol is suitable for your needs.
