CoQ10 and Ubiquinol
CoQ10 is a coenzyme that is required by nearly every function in a dog or cat's body....every cell, every organ, every tissue.
It is produced naturally in the liver and does its work deep in the mitochondria of cells, which use CoQ10 to support their energy and growth. Cells with the fastest turnover (heart, mouth tissue, intestinal mucosal and immune system cells) demand high levels of CoQ10. Therefore, CoQ10 is important for healthy circulation, immune function, tissue oxygenation and cardiovascular health and can even be useful in gum disease.
However, an animal’s ability to convert CoQ10 into the usable form of Ubiquinol decreases with age. Therefore, supplementation with Ubiquinol appears to be more useful in older animals, animals with cardiovascular issues or genetic pre-disposition, and animals that compete and perform.
Ubiquinols two extra electrons make it a strong lipid soluble antioxidant--strong enough to regenerate Vitamin E and C and actually can act synergistically to enhance absorption of Vitamin C.
Research has shown that the reduced form of CoQ10, Ubiquinol, is also more easily absorbed by the body, and seemingly unlike Ubiquinone, it is self-regulating. In other words, a healthy body will have lower metabolic demands and therefore will absorb less ubiquinol. An animal with an acute or chronic illness will show a higher absorption rate due to the higher demands of the body. This metabolic demand relationship makes it difficult to overdose on Ubiquinol, since the body will utilize what it is given based on need.
A human would need to eat approximately 3 pounds of sardines PER DAY to get the recommended dose. Though it is available in fatty fish, Fish Broth, dark leafy greens and organ meats (and whole grains--not great for most dogs and certainly not kitties,) it becomes apparent how difficult it is for an animal to also get the recommended daily dose, especially those dogs or cats fed a kibble diet
Ubiquinol's increased absorption makes the necessary dosage approximately 1/3 the dosage of CoQ10. Because it is a fat soluble nutrient, it is best taken with meals or at least in a fat based treat, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or Grass Fed Butter.
Initially, dosage is approximately 10mg/10lbs of body weight....however, alternative dosing has shown that 50mg/day for small dogs and cats, 100mg/day for medium dogs and 100mg/twice daily for large dogs might be more efficacious.
In summary, Ubiquinol seems to provide better absorption, higher levels of protection in the body and reduced dosing, which seems to be the better choice over CoQ10 regardless of the age or condition of the animal.