Jarrow Formulas QH-Absorb is the latest offering in Co-Q10 supplements, utilizing the reduced form of Co-Q10 (ubiquinol). Ubiquinol-based Co-Q10 supplements offer improved bioavailability over standard Co-Q10 supplements (ubiquinone), and are able to deliver Co-Q10 in its native antioxidant-capable form. QH-absorb™ utilizes the Q-absorb™ natural proliposome lipid-soluble delivery system, which has been clinically shown in humans to increase Co-Q10 levels up to 400% (3.2x) over baseline and is 3-4 times better absorbed than chewable Co-Q10 tablets. This new form of Co-Q10 supports cellular energy production as a component of the electron transport system, and functions as an active antioxidant to protect cell membranes and lipid particles from oxidation.
What is Ubiquinol?
Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring nutrient with an important role in the production of energy. It can be found in every cell in the body, but is particularly concentrated in tissues which have large energy requirements (like the heart, liver, kidneys, and skeletal muscles). Ubiquinol is the reduced form of Co-Q10. In the course of achieving its metabolic functions, CoQ10 alternates between a reduced (ubiquinol) and oxidized (ubiquinone) state. These two states (called a redox pair) allow Co-Q10 move electrons during the course of biological reactions.
Why is the movement of electrons important? This seemingly trivial feat has important consequences in metabolism; the transfer of electrons is a fundamental step in the production of energy, and in the regeneration of antioxidants in cell membranes. Each cell in the body needs a source of energy to survive, so cells break down sugars, fats, and amino acids to make energy. In the mitochondria (energy-producing centers) of our cells, Co-Q10 is abundant, carrying electrons to aid in the chemical reactions that "burn" (oxidize) cellular fuel to produce chemical energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Since adequate amounts of ATP are essential for powering our cellular machinery, it is easy to understand the importance of Co-Q10 in human metabolism. In energy production, both forms of Co-Q10 (ubiquinone and ubiquinol) have equally important roles in shuttling electrons for energy-producing reactions.
Outside of the mitochondria, Co-Q10 performs a slightly different role as a membrane and lipid-associated antioxidant. About half of the human body's total CoQ10 pool is functioning in this capacity. CoQ10 is one of the major antioxidant constituents of the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) particle. In its reduced form (ubiquinol), CoQ10 can be found alongside alpha- and gamma-tocopherol, lycopene, and beta-carotene in LDL particles as resident antioxidants to prevent LDL oxidation. Coenzyme Q10 is one of the first antioxidants to be depleted when LDL is subjected to oxidation. Studies have implicated ubiquinol as a regenerator of oxidized tocopherol within the LDL particle; studies of hypercholesterolemic elderly patients have equated highly oxidized LDL particles with low ubiquinol levels. In itsrole as an antioxidant, only the reduced form of CoQ10 is an active antioxidant.
Ubiquinol-based CoQ10 supplements
One of the most exciting consequences of the development of a stabilized dosage form of ubiquinol is its innate ability to be absorbed more efficiently than ubiquinone. There is experimental evidence that all forms of CoQ10 are reduced (to ubiquinol) in intestinal enterocytes prior to release into the lymphatic system; this coupled absorption/reduction may be a rate limiting step in CoQ10 assimilation and may explain why ubiquinol-based CoQ10 supplements exhibit enhanced bioavailability over ubiquinone supplements. Preliminary testing in humans indicates at least double the absorption of ubiquinol over ubiquinone.
QH-Absorb, like Q-Absorb, uses an all-natural liposome-based delivery system to improve absorption, and contains no detergents or surfactants. This delivery system has been validated in multiple trials to significantly improve Co-Q10 absorption over powdered Co-Q10 dosage forms. Jarrow FORMULAS® ubiquinol is derived from Co-Q10 that is manufactured via a yeast-fermentation process and consists only of the natural trans configuration, the same as is biosynthesized by humans. QH-Absorb is available in a 100mg dosage.
