Pharma Nord Bio-Quinone Active Q10 is a vitamin like substance which acts in conjunction with enzymes (hence the name coenzyme Q10) to convert sugars and fat into energy. Coenzyme quinones occur in several chemical forms, with coenzyme Q10 being the only form found in human tissues. The human body is able to synthesize (in the liver) a limited amount of coenzyme Q10, with the remainder being obtained from the diet.
Under normal circumstances, the body is able to maintain adequate levels of coenzyme Q10. However, coenzyme Q10 levels decrease with age, and are depleted by intense physical exercise or illness. In addition, coenzyme Q10 and cholesterol are produced by the same biochemical pathway, so agents that block cholesterol production also block coenzyme Q10 formation.
Benefits of Pharma Nord's Bio-Quinone Active Q10 Super:
- Manufactured to pharmaceutical standards.
- Reference product for the International Coenzyme Q10 Association.
- Oil-based formulation for optimum absorption.
- Kosher certified
- Halal certified.
- The preparation is a dark brown, size 10 oblong soft gelatine capsule, with orange paste.
Our In-House Pharmacist has written an article on Pharma Nord Bio-Quinone Active Q10 Super:
Directions: As a food supplement, take one to three Pharma Nord Bio-Quinone Active Q10 Super capsules to be taken daily, or as recommended by a physician.
Coenzyme Q10 is generally well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects reported in long term use. Very rarely, individuals may experience gastrointestinal disturbance. There are no known toxic effects, and coenzyme Q10 cannot be overdosed. Coenzyme Q10 is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, in whom the effects of coenzyme Q10 have not been extensively studied. Not suitable for vegetarians.
Bulking agent: Soybean oil; Capsule shell: Bovine Gelatine; Humectants: Glycerol; Co-enzyme Q10; Antioxidant: D-alpha-tocopherol; Humectants: Purified water; Colour: Iron oxide, Riboflavin; Vitamin: B2 (Riboflavin).
Why can't I feel the effect of Q10?
Most people will experience an effect of Q10 supplementation, either directly or indirectly. Many so-called energy-based products get their effect from caffeine and caffeine-like substances from various plants that stimulate the adrenal glands to secrete stress hormones.
Coenzyme q10, on the other hand, is present in all body cells and is part of the cells' natural way of producing energy. Thus, the biochemical processes in the body and the experience are not the same for these two different types of products.
The fact that you may not feel an immediate effect of Q10 may also be due to one or more of the following factors:
- You are taking a Q10 product with low bioavailability
- You take your Q10 between meals and not together with fat
- You have reduced fat absorption from the gut
- You are so young that your Q10 level is still high
- You are taking medicines that reduce the body's own production of Q10 to a degree that requires a higher compensatory Q10 dosage
- You take Q10 for supper and will therefore only experience the maximum level in the blood at night while you are sleeping (it takes approx. 6 hours from ingestion until Q10 reaches its maximum level in the blood)
- You need more time. It can take a month or longer before the body's tissues are sufficiently saturated with Q10
- You need a higher dose
What kind of Q10 is best absorbed?
To date, more than 40 scientific studies have been published, showing that, once it has been absorbed, the ubiquinone form of Q10 has a relatively good bioavailability and efficacy. However, not much evidence has been published on the bioavailability and efficacy of QH (ubiquinol). Various Q10 products are available either as tablets or as capsules. The Q10 content may be in the form of crystals or granules, encapsulated in liposomes, in micelles attached to nanoparticles or dissolved in oil.
The size alone of the Q10 molecule (approx. 5.5 nm long and 864 times heavier than a hydrogen atom) means that Q10 is basically not an easily absorbed substance. The Q10 raw material is an organic orange brown crystalline powder and Q10 crystals are too large to be absorbed into the body. The uptake of unprocessed Q10 powder and of tablets is therefore very poor.
In addition, Q10 is a fat-soluble substance that has to be absorbed in the small intestine along with fat. It is possible to attach other substances to the Q10 molecule that will make it somewhat more water-soluble, but doing so will make the big Q10 molecule even bigger, whereby the advantage disappears, and the Q10 complex will still largely be fat-soluble.
It sounds impressive to state that a Q10 product is three times more absorbable than a competing product, but if the competing product simply consists of Q10 crystals with a less than 1% absorption rate, the claim is not particularly impressive.
Producers of Q10 supplements have to treat the Q10 raw material in a special way in order to achieve an effective absorption. The most bioavailable Q10 products are dissolved in a vegetable oil in which the crystals must be dissolved completely.
What are the best dietary sources of Q10?
Cereal products usually contain coenzyme Q9, whereas soybeans do contain some coenzyme Q10. There is also some Q10 in walnuts, almonds, oil-rich fruits and green vegetables, especially spinach. Furthermore, fish contains Q10, especially sardines, which contain twice as much Q10 as beef. Even so, one would have to eat one pound of sardines, two pounds of beef, or 2.5 pounds of peanuts in order to get 30mg of Q10. Typically, there is somewhere between 5-10mg of Q10 in the food we eat on a daily basis. Most individuals probably get around 5mg a day.
How do I optimise the body's own production of coenzyme Q10?
It is possible to increase the body's own production of coenzyme Q10 by exercising and by optimising the intake of nutrients. The cell's production of Q10 is a complex process involving many biochemical steps. In order for the body to produce coQ10, there is a need for a vitamin B complex, vitamins C and E, selenium, magnesium and several trace elements. A lack of one or more of these nutrients will affect the body's Q10 production considerably. An increase in available Q10 in the body will usually be larger with the aid of even a small daily supplement of Q10.
How long can I take Q10?
Q10 is generally considered a safe substance. Long-term studies of more than 5 years, as well as studies with daily doses, have shown that it is safe to take supplements of Q10 for a long period. After discontinuation of supplementation, the body's Q10 level will return to the same level as before the start of supplementation. This shows that Q10 supplementation does not affect the body's own production of the substance.
When is the best time of day to take coQ10?
Since Q10 is fat-soluble substance, it is important to take it with a meal that contains some fat. The effect is observed after a short-term use and is felt most acutely approx. 6 hours after ingestion.
Therefore, Q10 should most effectively be taken with breakfast, perhaps lunch. If you take more than 1 capsule of ubiquinone per day, the absorbability will be larger if you spread the dose throughout the day - i.e. 1 capsule at breakfast and 1 capsule at lunch time.
Furthermore, you can take a supplement of the amino acid carnitine, which interacts closely with Q10 in the cells' mitochondria. Carnitine helps with the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria, and Q10 is involved in the oxidation process that converts these fatty acids into energy in the form of ATP.
How much coenzyme Q10 do we need?
Our needs for coenzyme Q10 are individual.
- Healthy young people have no need for supplementation of Q10.
- Healthy adults should take maybe 30-60mg daily.
- Elderly people could take maybe 100mg daily.
- People in therapeutic treatment have been given up to 300mg daily - occasionally even more than that.
How can I avoid eating the gelatin in the Q10 capsules?
You can cut a small hole in the soft gel capsules with a pair of scissors and squeeze the content of the capsule out in a spoon or directly into your mouth. However a small residue of Q10 will remain on the inside of the capsule using this method.
How long will one pack of Bio-Quinone Active Q10 last one person?
Bio-Quinone Active Q10 Super if taken as recommended ( 1-3 capsules per day): 60 capsules – 20 day supply ( based on 3 capsules per day)
Will taking Q10 before bed interrupt my sleep?
Generally not, but in a few instances people have experienced broken sleep after taking Q10 in the evening. If you should experience this it is recommended to take your Q10 at breakfast or lunch.
Should I take my Q10 capsules all together or should I split the dose?
Ideally, leaving around 3 hours between each capsule can help improve the absorption.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of young children. Do not exceed the daily dose. If pregnant, or breastfeeding, or if you are taking medication, or on medical care, consult your physician prior to use. While we work to ensure that product information on our website is correct, on occasion manufacturers may alter their ingredient lists. Actual product packaging and materials may contain more and/or different information than that shown on our website. All information about the products on our website is provided for information purposes only. We recommend that you do not solely rely on the information presented on our website. Please always read the labels, warnings, and directions provided with the product before using or consuming a product. In the event of any safety concerns or for any other information about a product please carefully read any instructions provided on the label or packaging and contact the manufacturer. Content on this site is not intended to substitute for advice given by medical practitioner, pharmacist, or other licensed health-care professional. Contact your health-care provider immediately if you suspect that you have a medical problem. Information and statements about products are not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The customer reviews are only moderated for offensive content – they should not be regarded as medical or health advice; no reliance should therefore be placed on them; and they are not endorsed by Victoria Health. If you have any health problems or questions regarding the suitability of any product please contact a health professional. Products are not medicinal unless otherwise stated. Victoria Health accepts no liability for inaccuracies or misstatements about products by manufacturers or other third parties. This does not affect your statutory rights.
