Ubiquinol (QH) is the active or bioactive, reduced variant of coenzyme Q10 that can be immediately absorbed by the body. Conventional dietary supplements tend to use the inactive variant of coenzyme Q10, called ubiquinone. Keiichi Higuchi is a professor at the Department of Aging Biology at Shinshu University in Nagano, Japan. We asked this aging research expert about the special characteristics of Q10 and Ubiquinol (QH).
Medicom: What sparked your interest in ubiquinol and its role in the aging process?
Prof. Higuchi: I am a professor at the Department of Aging Biology and Pathology at Shinshu University in Nagano, Japan. The long-term goal of research in our laboratory is to understand the aging process of the organism and diseases associated with aging. We are primarily interested in amyloid deposits. Amyloid deposits cause a large group of diseases, which include Alzheimer's and prion diseases (rare neurodegenerative diseases, Ed. note). All forms of amyloid deposition are caused by a change in the arrangement and metabolism of various proteins. If, for example, proteins harden into insoluble fibers (amyloid fibrils), they can, under certain circumstances, deposit outside cells in various tissues.
It is these amyloid deposits that lead to nerve cell death in Alzheimer's patients. The key to removing amyloid deposits and thus taking preventative measures lies in understanding the formation of amyloid fibers and their deposition in specific organs and tissues. To achieve this goal, we use molecular genetic and biochemical techniques. It is all highly complex.
We are also working on studies into other diseases associated with aging. In addition, we are investigating the positive effects of physical activity—such as weight reduction—on human diseases like high blood pressure and dyslipidemia.
Medicom: What sparked your interest in ubiquinol and its role in the aging process?
Prof. Higuchi: In 2003, Kaneka™ (the world's only manufacturer of the high-quality ingredient ubiquinol, Ed. note) came to our lab with ubiquinol, the reduced version of coenzyme Q10. It turned out that this reduced version was the more easily absorbable form of coenzyme Q10. In the past, we had tested numerous anti-aging substances. With ubiquinol, we found something very special. After comparative administration of a placebo, Q10, and ubiquinol in our special test model, we were able to determine that ubiquinol performed significantly better.
The aging process in higher-developed organisms is complex and depends on an interplay of various factors: genetic, environmental, nutritional, and pathological (disease-related). Thanks to our specially developed and unique test model (Senescence-Accelerated Mouse [SAM]), we are able to study the aging process in higher-developed organisms and quickly arrive at results that can be immediately applied to humans. To research the human aging process, you have to wait a long time until someone is old. The research strains we use grow normally, but they show early signs of aging and their life expectancy is clearly shorter than normal.
We observed that dietary supplementation with ubiquinol results in a significant decrease in the degree of senescence and senescence in middle age. Ubiquinol improved both the behavior and the appearance of the research strains. Q10 had a lower effect than ubiquinol, and the difference was easy to see. This research work was also published in the journal Experimental Gerontology. It is also interesting that a Spanish research group was able to prove that ubiquinol is better absorbed and exhibits higher bioavailability and better tissue uptake than oxidized coenzyme Q10.
Medicom: What influence does the biological composition of ubiquinol and its effects have on the aging process?
Prof. Higuchi: Ubiquinol is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance found in almost all human tissues. It is also involved in essential cellular processes of energy production in mitochondria, where it acts as both an electron carrier and a proton translocator (neutral uncoupler) in cellular respiration and ATP production. Ubiquinol acts as an antioxidant in mitochondria and fatty membranes by either directly scavenging free radicals or regenerating tocopherol (the active form of vitamin E). Some scientific studies describe that ubiquinol can also protect proteins of the inner mitochondrial membrane and DNA from oxidative collateral damage through lipid peroxidation. Ubiquinol is the most common form of coenzyme Q10 in the living organism and makes up more than 96 percent of the total ubiquinol and ubiquinone pool in human plasma. Ubiquinol is found in food and exhibits interesting bioavailability.
In numerous tissues, ubiquinol biosynthesis and ubiquinol levels decrease with age, which leads to the conclusion that ubiquinol should have a certain anti-aging effect. Furthermore, there is strong evidence that it can suppress DNA damage in lymphocytes, mitochondrial damage in the heart, and age-related molecular damage in the brain. Mitochondrial disorders play an important role in the development of numerous diseases and aging.
Medicom: How can the effect of ubiquinol on aging be demonstrated, and what fundamental conclusion can be drawn from this?
Prof. Higuchi: A group of scientists from Texas was able to prove that a reduction in mitochondrial Q content is an important aspect of the aging process. Ubiquinol can regulate the aging process and play a role in cell repair. Our recently conducted study was also able to show that ubiquinol positively influences the age-related decrease in mitochondrial function and the age-related reduction in the quantity of mitochondria.
Prof. Higuchi: Age-related hearing loss (or presbycusis) is the slow loss of hearing that occurs as people get older. It occurs when tiny hair cells are damaged or die. These hair cells do not regrow, and thus hearing loss caused by hair cell damage is in most cases irreversible and usually increases slowly over time. In most cases, it is caused by damage to the inner ear as one gets older. Mitochondrial oxidative stress, which triggers certain genes, seems to be part of this mechanism. According to the American Academy of Audiology, every third person over 60 experiences some kind of age-related hearing loss. Among people over 85, it is already every second person. It is not exactly easy to determine a person's biological age. You can, of course, look at the skeleton, the teeth, etc.; however, we have found that age-related hearing loss can be a good indicator of aging.
Medicom: Would you recommend ubiquinol even if one is still young? If so, from what age and at what time of day?
Prof. Higuchi: It is best to start taking ubiquinol from the age of 40, when the coenzyme Q10 level has already decreased. In today's society, which suffers from increased stress and environmental pollution, etc., even younger people feel tired. A sign of this is that more and more young people are consuming energy drinks. They do not drink these beverages because of the taste, but because they are tired. Consequently, people from the age of 20 are also already good candidates for ubiquinol. Ubiquinol is best taken with a meal (or a little fat). It can be taken both in the morning and in the evening. The time of ingestion is not that important; what is important is to take it daily, and you will then recognize yourself when the best time is.
Medicom: Ubiquinol is a special form of Q10. Can Q10 have the same effect as ubiquinol?
Prof. Higuchi: As part of our initial studies, we also investigated Q10. The results we obtained with Q10 were not as good as those with ubiquinol. Q10 must be converted into ubiquinol, while ubiquinol already exists in an active form. The results of our study have shown that ubiquinol is better than Q10, which is why we will continue to study ubiquinol.
Medicom: Is there anything you would like to share with consumers regarding your study?
Prof. Higuchi: The aging process leads to a slow loss of energy, but also to a loss of hearing, vision, and the sense of taste. Many of these inconveniences could lead to social isolation and a decrease in quality of life. If a direct extrapolation of our results in laboratory condition trials to humans is permissible, ubiquinol could be an excellent dietary supplement for elderly people and middle-aged people to support a healthy aging process.
Medicom: Dr. Higuchi, thank you very much for the interview.
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