Consumers frequently mix up Quercetin and Coenzyme Q10. This is likely due to their wide recognition as cardioprotective supplements. Despite having similar disease-preventing abilities and antioxidant effects in the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell), these two micronutrients are different molecules with unrelated chemical structures.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of quercetin vs. CoQ10.
Is Quercetin Similar to CoQ10?
Contrary to popular belief, quercetin and CoQ10 are not the same.
Coenzyme Q10 and quercetin both promote various processes that occur in your body. They are different compounds with different benefits and roles. However, both significantly reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals or reactive oxygen species, protecting cells.
CoQ10 is an antioxidant compound that your body can produce naturally. Your body will require CoQ10 for numerous important processes, but the leaves of this compound will drop as you age.
On the other hand, quercetin is a plant pigment, also known as a flavonoid. The positive effects quercetin has on senescent cells are one feature that sets it apart from coenzyme Q10. A cell that ought to have died but is still alive is said to be senescent. Senescent cells are unable to replicate. They release a variety of unfavorable development factors that might trigger degenerative diseases.
As a senolytic agent, quercetin aids in the destruction of senescent cells [1].
What Is Quercetin?
Quercetin stands out as a major flavonoid found in fruits such as apples, berries, cruciferous vegetables, onions, tea leaves, and many seeds and nuts. Dietary flavonoids are one of the most diverse families of plant antioxidants.
The most well-known dietary flavonoid, quercetin, has accumulated a lot of evidence supporting its role as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory micronutrient [2]. Naturally, scientists are always looking into quercetin as a potential treatment for various health conditions like hypertension, obesity, heart disease, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis [3].
Quercetin Supplement Benefits
Quercetin is an antioxidant that binds to free radicals and neutralizes them, counteracting their negative effects.
Here are the top three health benefits of quercetin supplements.
1. Decreases Inflammation
High levels of free radicals in the body can lead to inflammation aside from damaging cells. Your chance of developing cancer and heart disease might increase if inflammation is left untreated.
According to evidence, quercetin can lessen inflammation by preventing the production of inflammatory molecules [4].
2. Protects Against Neurodegenerative Conditions
Free radical damage to the brain has been related to neurodegenerative conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Quercetin can help reduce the risk of brain diseases by working as an antioxidant and reducing the consequences of oxidative damage [5].
3. Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease
Blood arteries may sustain damage from free radicals, compromising their functionality and raising the likelihood of heart disease risk factors such as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. Studies show that quercetin can reduce blood vessel damage and blood pressure, lowering your risk of heart disease [6].
What Is Coenzyme Q10?
Due to its widespread presence in most organisms, Coenzyme Q (CoQ), also known as ubiquinone, is a naturally occurring quinone-based coenzyme family.
Coenzyme Q10 is essential for the cellular synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the real “energy currency” of cells. This is due to its function in the electron transport chain of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathway, also known as aerobic glycolysis. The largest quantities of CoQ10 are found in metabolically favored organs, including the liver, heart, kidney, and brain, because aerobic glycolysis provides most of the energy requirements for the human body [7].
CoQ10 Benefits
CoQ10 helps produce energy in the mitochondria by promoting the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which serves as the body’s main energy source.
Here are the top three benefits of using CoQ10 supplements.
1. Improves Brain Activities
Brain cells need a tremendous amount of energy to fuel our mental activities. Our brain health suffers if mitochondria don’t operate properly, frequently due to oxidative damage, and we are more susceptible to neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Study shows that CoQ10 can lessen the impacts of oxidative damage to protect against brain-related illnesses while enhancing mitochondrial and brain function [8].
2. Improves Exercise Performance
Muscle cells may suffer damage from oxidative stress, which could impair their functionality and lower your athletic performance.
To fuel their contraction and avoid exhaustion, muscles also require ATP. According to studies, CoQ10 increases exercise endurance and performance by lowering free radical damage and increasing energy generation in mitochondria [9].
3. Enhances Heart Health
CoQ10 is a necessary substance for healthy cardiac function and has some of the highest concentrations in the body in the heart.
Oxidative injury can impair the heart’s capacity to pump blood effectively and cause inflammation in the veins and arteries, resulting in heart failure.
Researchers have discovered that CoQ10 can enhance the health and performance of the heart by minimizing oxidative damage and increasing the energy production required for the contraction of the heart muscles [10].
Can You Take CoQ10 and Quercetin Together?
Taking quercetin is a convenient approach to benefit from the antioxidant properties of this essential dietary flavonoid. The action mechanisms of coenzyme Q10 and quercetin supplements are likely to overlap, even if there is little information on their effects. Current research indicates quercetin may have “coenzyme Q10-mimetic” properties [11].
Bottomline
As the most dominant dietary flavanol, quercetin has been linked to several health benefits. This includes reduced inflammation, decreased blood pressure, and even enhanced exercise capacity.
Meanwhile, CoQ10 offers similar benefits, and when combined with quercetin, they can both potentially be used therapeutically as strong antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Both these micronutrients offer health benefits, improving one’s condition.
Always make a consultation with your health practitioner a habit to reaping the health benefits of these micronutrients.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Zoico, E., Nori, N., Darra, E., Tebon, M., Rizzatti, V., Policastro, G., De Caro, A., Rossi, A. P., Fantin, F., & Zamboni, M. (2021). Senolytic effects of quercetin in an in vitro model of pre-adipocytes and adipocytes induced senescence. Scientific reports, 11(1), 23237. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02544-0
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2011, September). USDA Database for the Flavonoid Content of Selected Foods. USDA. Retrieved August 16, 2022, from https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/80400525/Data/Flav/Flav_R03.pdf
- Li, Y., Yao, J., Han, C., Yang, J., Chaudhry, M. T., Wang, S., Liu, H., & Yin, Y. (2016). Quercetin, Inflammation and Immunity. Nutrients, 8(3), 167. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8030167
- Askari, G., Ghiasvand, R., Feizi, A., Ghanadian, S. M., & Karimian, J. (2012). The effect of quercetin supplementation on selected markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 17(7), 637–641.
- Elumalai, P., & Lakshmi, S. (2016). Role of Quercetin Benefits in Neurodegeneration. Advances in neurobiology, 12, 229–245. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28383-8_12
- Patel, R. V., Mistry, B. M., Shinde, S. K., Syed, R., Singh, V., & Shin, H. S. (2018). Therapeutic potential of quercetin as a cardiovascular agent. European journal of medicinal chemistry, 155, 889–904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.06.053
- Motohashi, N., Gallagher, R., Anuradha, V., & Gollapudi, R. (2018). Co-enzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone): It’s Implication in Improving the Life Style of the Elderly. Medical & Clinical Reviews. https://doi.org/10.21767/2471-299x.1000052
- Stough, C., Nankivell, M., Camfield, D. A., Perry, N. L., Pipingas, A., Macpherson, H., Wesnes, K., Ou, R., Hare, D., de Haan, J., Head, G., Lansjoen, P., Langsjoen, A., Tan, B., Pase, M. P., King, R., Rowsell, R., Zwalf, O., Rathner, Y., Cooke, M., … Rosenfeldt, F. (2019). CoQ10 and Cognition a Review and Study Protocol for a 90-Day Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Cognitive Effects of Ubiquinol in the Healthy Elderly. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 11, 103. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2019.00103
- Cooke, M., Iosia, M., Buford, T., Shelmadine, B., Hudson, G., Kerksick, C., Rasmussen, C., Greenwood, M., Leutholtz, B., Willoughby, D., & Kreider, R. (2008). Effects of acute and 14-day coenzyme Q10 supplementation on exercise performance in both trained and untrained individuals. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 5, 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-5-8
- Zozina, V. I., Covantev, S., Goroshko, O. A., Krasnykh, L. M., & Kukes, V. G. (2018). Coenzyme Q10 in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases: Current State of the Problem. Current cardiology reviews, 14(3), 164–174. https://doi.org/10.2174/1573403X14666180416115428
- Sandoval-Acuña, C., Lopez-Alarcón, C., Aliaga, M. E., & Speisky, H. (2012). Inhibition of mitochondrial complex I by various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and its protection by quercetin via a coenzyme Q-like action. Chemico-biological interactions, 199(1), 18–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2012.05.006
