THE vitamin Q is a very important organic molecule for health and BENEFITS.
With high antioxidant power, it helps to slow down cellular aging and fight fatigue, providing a boost of energy.
What is vitamin Q?
Vitamin Q is the second name of coenzyme Q, also called ubiquinone (from the Latin ubi, everywhere) because it is a substance produced by all cells of the body.
It is an organic molecule with a structure very similar to vitamin K and vitamin E.
It is classified as a fat-soluble vitamin and can be stored in the body for use when needed, so it does not need to be taken all the time.
What is vitamin Q used for?
Vitamin Q has high antioxidant power and helps transport energy from cells.
It is present in a large number of cells in the important organs of the human body such as the heart, liver, pancreas and kidney.
This coenzyme also makes the skin more elastic, fights wrinkles and stretch marks, while giving the body the necessary energy to eliminate any kind of fatigue.
Its anti-aging effect comes from the fact that this molecule prevents the loss of elastin and collagen, thus slowing down the formation of wrinkles and promoting the preservation of skin tone. For this reason, coenzyme Q is often present in anti-wrinkle creams and rejuvenating cosmetics.
It also plays an important role in the immune system, strengthening it and fighting infections and free radicals.
It regulates insulin because it lowers blood sugar levels (so it is especially suitable for diabetics) and also manages the reduction of LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.
What foods are in it?
Vitamin Q is mostly found in chicken, beef and pork, with higher concentrations in the liver.
High concentrations of coenzyme Q are also found in seafood as well as some types of fish, especially tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel.
This molecule is also produced by the body itself but as time passes and age begins to release less and less of it.
What are the daily requirements for vitamin Q?
The daily requirement for vitamin Q varies from 100 to 200 mg.
It is not clear that those who follow a diet rich in foods rich in coenzyme Q will be able to maintain high levels of ubiquinone. As we age, for example, the liver is less able to convert ubiquinones from food and assimilate them, so vitamin Q supplements are recommended (especially after the age of 50).
Doses should not be exceeded, however: for adults, a maximum of 50 to 200 mg of vitamin Q per day is recommended.
For coenzyme Q, the maximum daily intake set by the General Directorate of Food Safety and Nutrition of the Ministry of Health is 200 mg, which should not be exceeded.
Since it is a fat-soluble molecule, it is best to take it with a fat-rich meal to allow the body to absorb it better. Some supplements combine ubiquinone with olive oil to make it easier to digest.