Quality CoQ10

The cellular energy ingredient CoQ10 offers health benefits throughout the entire body, but absorption issues have plagued the nutrient; to address this, ingredient suppliers have created technologies that boost bioavailability and efficacy.

Sandy Almendarez, VP of Content

October 3, 2014

1 Min Read
Quality CoQ10

The body uses coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to create the essential energy chemical compound adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which fuels cellular metabolic activity. In the cell, CoQ10’s main role is in the mitochondria, where it helps convert fuel (food) into energy for the body to use.

With CoQ10’s ubiquity in the body, it makes sense it affects many functions, but those that require the most energy, such as the brain and the heart, seem to benefit the most from CoQ10 supplements.

CoQ10’s numerous health effects make it seem like a wonder ingredient, but there’s a catch: it’s not easily absorbed. CoQ10 is a large lipid molecule; its fat-loving nature makes it practically insoluble in water, making its absorption poor, variable and dependent on a consumer’s diet (it’s better digested with fats).

Technical advancements at several ingredient suppliers have addressed this problem by producing CoQ10 ingredients that are better absorbed.

One solution to increasing absorption of CoQ10 is to offer it in the reduced ubiquinol form, so the body doesn’t need to convert it from ubquinone in the body. However, some experts say both ubiquinone and ubiquinol are absorbed by the body, and are concerned about the increased costs of ubiquinol.

Learn more about CoQ10’s health benefits, absorption challenges and the differences between ubiquinol and ubiquinone in the article “CoQ10 Quality Quotient" in INSIDER’s Antioxidant Content Library.

About the Author

Sandy Almendarez

VP of Content, Informa

Summary

• Well-known subject matter expert within the health & nutrition industry with more than 15 years’ experience reporting on natural products.

• She cares a lot about how healthy products are made, where their ingredients are sourced and how they affect human health.

• She knows that it’s the people behind the businesses — their motivations, feelings and emotions — drive industry growth, so that’s where she looks for content opportunities.

Sandy Almendarez is VP of Content for SupplySide and an award-winning journalist. She oversees the editorial and content marketing teams for the B2B media brands SupplySide Supplement Journal and SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal, the education programming for the health and nutrition trade shows SupplySide Connect New Jersey and SupplySide West, the education program SupplySide Fresh for industry newcomers and community engagement across the SupplySide portfolio. She is a seasoned content strategist with a passion for health, good nutrition, sustainability and inclusion. With over 15 years of experience in the health and nutrition industry, Sandy brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as a content-focused business leader. With specialization in topics ranging from product development to content engagement, creative marketing and c-suite decision making, her work is known for its engaging style and its relevance for business leaders in the health and nutrition industry.

In her free time, Sandy loves running, drinking hot tea and watching her two kids grow up. She brews her own “Sandbucha” homemade kombucha; she’s happy to share if you’re ever in Phoenix!

Awards:

Speaker credentials

Resides in

  • Phoenix, AZ

Education

  • Arizona State University

Contact:

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