Figure 3 . Actions of ubiquinol : antioxidant activity and cellular energy production
Mechanisms of action
Ubiquinol is integral to mitochondrial function and integrity , and exerts its actions in the body via two main properties ( see Figure 3 ).
Antioxidant activity , scavenging reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) and free radicals produced during metabolic processes , thereby preventing lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress that can damage mitochondrial DNA , proteins and lipids .
Cellular energy production to produce ATP , through its role in the electron transport chain ( ETC ) in a series of complexes located within the inner mitochondrial membrane .
Ubiquinol provides multifaceted actions and benefits across key body systems ( see Figure 4 ).
Impacts on ubiquinol production in the body
Unfortunately , the production of ubiquinol declines with age and prolonged stress , due to lifestyle , diet or environmental factors , as does the ability to convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol within the body . 7 , 25 , 26-28 This impaired production and conversion is believed to contribute to age-related declines in cellular energy production and function , as well as increased oxidative damage with reduced antioxidant protection . 37 Ubiquinol production starts to decrease after 20 and , by 80 years of age , the myocardial concentration of ubiquinol has reduced by around half . 28-30
Figure 4 . Actions of ubiquinol in body systems
Figure 5 . Coenzyme Q10 and ubiquinol as adjunctive therapy
164 | vol30 | no3 | JATMS