Ubiquinone is lipid-soluble and an important mitochondrial redox component, endogenously produced

antioxidant in the human organisms. It exists in three oxidation states: the fully reduced ubiquinol form,
the radical semiquinone intermediate, and the fully oxidized ubiquinone form.
Ubiquinone plays an important role in the production of cellular energy, strengthens the immune
system and acts as a free radical scavenger. In cell structures called mitochondria, Ubiquinone plays
an essential role in a process called oxidative phosphorylation, which converts the energy from food
into a form cells can use. Ubiquinone facilitates the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the
mitochondria by participating in redox reactions within the electron transport chain. As part of the
mitochondrial electron transport chain, ubiquinone accepts electrons from reducing equivalents
generated during fatty acid and glucose metabolism and then transfers them to electron acceptors. At
the same time, ubiquinone contributes to transfer protons (H+) from the mitochondrial matrix to the
intermembrane space, creating a proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The
energy released when the protons flow back into the mitochondrial interior is used to form ATP. In
addition to its role in ATP synthesis, mitochondrial ubiquinone mediates the oxidation of dihydroorotate
to orotate in the de novo pyrimidine synthesis. Ubiquinone is also involved in producing pyrimidines,
which are building blocks of DNA, its chemical cousin RNA, and molecules such as ATP and GTP that
serve as energy sources in the cell. In cell membranes, Ubiquinone acts as an antioxidant, protecting
cells from damage caused by unstable oxygen-containing molecules (free radicals), which are
byproducts of energy production. These properties place Ubiquinone at the center of hotly debated
questions about how mitochondria and reactive oxygen species (ROS) impact aging and disease.

Ubiquinone can also enhance blood flow and protect the blood vessels. This mechanism is related to
nitric oxide preservation, as seen with grape seed extract, pycnogenol, and resveratrol. It can reduce
the damage oxidized Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) can do to blood vessels, as well as reduce plaque
buildup in the arteries. Aging, poor eating habits, infections and stress affect the amounts of
ubiquinone in the humans. As human beings age, they begin to lose the ability to synthesize
ubiquinone from food resulting in its deficiency. Several diseases are associated with low ubiquinone
levels, including fibromyalgia and the aftermath of a heart attack, known as post-myocardial infarction.
Depression, Prader-Willi syndrome, male infertility, Peyronie’s disease, migraines, and Parkinson’s
also cause a ubiquinone deficiency. Supplementation of ubiquinone is recommended to anyone with
the listed diseases, but particularly for heart attack victims and people suffering from fibromyalgia

Some mutations in the Ubiquinone genes greatly reduce or eliminate the production of the
corresponding proteins; others change the structure of a protein, impairing its function. A lack of
functional protein produced from any one of the Ubiquinone genes decreases the normal production
of Ubiquinone. Studies suggest that a shortage (deficiency) of Ubiquinone impairs oxidative
phosphorylation and increases the vulnerability of cells to damage from free radicals. A deficiency of
Ubiquinone may also disrupt the production of pyrimidines. These changes can cause cells throughout
the body to malfunction, which may help explain the variety of organs and tissues that can be affected
by ubiquinone deficiency.