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Grapefruit Juice May Boost CoQ10 Uptake
According to Study
Optimizing CoQ10 is Very Valuable... It Is Known as a Key Nutrient
For Cardiovascular Health, Helping Support Immunity,
Boosting Energy, Cognitive Function and Mental Performance.
A glass of grapefruit juice may improve intestinal absorption of
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) by almost 50 per cent, reports a new study
from Japan. The citrus fruit juice appears to inhibit a protein in the
membrane of cells called P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which thereby leads
to an increased absorption of CoQ10, according to results of a
laboratory study published in Food Chemistry.
“We have demonstrated that a higher cellular uptake of CoQ10 was
achieved in the presence of grapefruit juice,” wrote the Japanese
researchers from Hokkaido University.
The formulation of the CoQ10 is known to play a key role in its
bioavailability. Since the coenzyme is lipophilic (fat-loving) its
absorption is enhanced in the presence of lipids. Therefore, when
taken as a supplement apart from meals, the absorption of some
formulations is lower.
“It is possible that co-administration of CoQ10 with grapefruit juice
constitutes an easily accessible way to improve the intestinal
absorption of CoQ10,” reported the researchers.
Grapefruit juice is well-known to interact with other compounds in the
digestive system. Chemicals in juice and pulp of the fruit are reported
to interfere with the enzymes that metabolize certain drugs in the
digestive system, including statins to lower cholesterol. This results
in potentially toxic quantities of drugs circulating in the blood.
The new study, however, suggests that grapefruit juice’s inhibiting
effects may actually benefit CoQ10 absorption.
CoQ10 Has Many Valuable Properties...
CoQ10 has properties similar to vitamins, but since it is naturally
synthesized in the body it is not classed as such. Our ability to
synthesize the compound peaks at the age of 20 and amounts in
our body decrease rapidly after we pass the age of 40. It is also
known as ubiquinone because of its ‘ubiquitous’ distribution
throughout the human body.
The coenzyme is concentrated in the mitochondria recognized
as the “power plants” of the cell structure. It plays a vital role in the
production of chemical energy by participating in the production of
adenosince triphosphate (ATP), known as the body’s “energy currency.”
There is an ever-growing body of scientific data that shows
substantial health benefits of CoQ10 supplementation for people
suffering from angina, heart attack and hypertension. It is also
recommended to people on statins to off-set the CoQ-depleting
effects of the medication. Other studies have reported that CoQ10
may play a role in the prevention or benefit people already suffering
from neurodegenerative diseases.
Study Details...
The Japanese researchers used Caco-2 cells, a cell line used to
model the lining of the human intestine. Cells were cultured in the
presence of CoQ10 (10 micromoles) and grapefruit juice (diluted
to a concentration of 1 per cent).
Results showed that CoQ10 uptake in the presence of grapefruit
juice was increased by almost 50 per cent. “These results indicate
that the combined administration of CoQ10 and grapefruit juice
could enhance CoQ10 absorption,” said the researchers. “Taking
these findings into consideration, it is possible that co-administration
of CoQ10 with grapefruit juice will be an easily accessible way to
improve the pharmacological effects of CoQ10,” they added.
The researchers concluded that additional studies are required in
order to investigate the pharmacological effects of CoQ10 when
administration with grapefruit juice. “Such investigations will provide
important information for improving the pharmacological effects of
CoQ10,” they concluded.
Source: Food Chemistry 2010, Volume 120 (2010) 552-555
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