Counteracting Inflammaging with High Bioavailability CoQ10 and Omega-3s

Research is unveiling the importance of two interconnected components of healthy aging: Supporting the mitochondria and maintaining a healthy inflammatory response. In fact, inflammation is considered such a significant part of the aging process that the term “inflammaging” was coined. Counteracting inflammaging is linked to cognitive and heart health as well as supporting healthy blood sugar.¹

Mitochondrial dysfunction is known to contribute to inflammation, while mitochondrial-supporting nutrients such as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and nutrients that counteract inflammation such omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in healthy aging.

The catch? CoQ10 and omega-3 fatty acids must be bioavailable for them to be effective. In this article, we’ll discuss the research on CoQ10, fish oil, and inflammaging and reveal a type of technology that ensures these two nutrients are optimally absorbed.

Impaired Mitochondria and The Inflammatory Response

Inflammation can alter mitochondrial function and contribute to mitochondrial oxidative stress, while at the same time, mitochondrial dysfunction can result in inflammation, leading to a vicious cycle.² Mitochondria are the principal mediators of inflammation due to their being the site of reactive oxygen species production.² When mitochondria become dysfunctional, they are no longer able to control ROS production and excessive oxidative stress occurs, leading to inflammation.²

CoQ10 plays a key role in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation³ and is the go-to nutrient for mitochondrial health. In 1957, Professor Frederick Crane first isolated CoQ10 in beef heart, describing the presence and function of CoQ10 in the mitochondrial respiratory chain.⁴ Besides its function in the mitochondria respiratory chain, CoQ10 is a primary component in the reactions triggered by other mitochondrial enzymes and, therefore is involved in the energy production of other metabolic pathways of the cell.⁴ CoQ10 also directly mediates the expression of many genes, including those involved in inflammation.³

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and The Inflammatory Response

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are dietary components that support a healthy inflammatory response.⁵ You’ve heard the saying, “you are what you eat.” While in some ways this is an exaggeration, the truth is that some of what we eat actually does become a part of us. This is never more true than with omega-3 essential fatty acids, which ultimately end up in the membranes of our cells after we consume them in the diet.⁵

Consuming omega-3 fatty acids either in the form of omega-3 rich food such as salmon or taking a well-absorbed omega-3 supplement can increase the Omega-3 Index, a measure of the omega-3 levels in the blood. Increasing the Omega-3 Index can maintain heart health and can support healthy joints.⁵ What do heart health and joint health have in common? They both require a balanced inflammatory response, and raising omega-3s can contribute to that balanced response.⁵

Overcoming the Challenges of CoQ10 and Omega-3 Absorption

Coenzyme Q10 and omega-3 fatty acids are two of the most powerful allies in the fight against inflammaging. However, CoQ10 is hindered by low aqueous solubility and a relatively high molecular weight, leading to poor bioavailability after it is taken orally. Taking it with a fatty meal can somewhat improve absorption but patients don’t always comply with this advice or eat enough fat. Omega-3 absorption also is food dependent. To overcome these challenges, TruGen3 formulated its QmegaTG3 CoQ10-Omega-3 supplement using the VESIsorb® delivery system to improve bioavailability of CoQ10 and Omega-3s without being dependent upon food to enhance absorption.

Research confirmed the high bioavailability of a VESIsorb® CoQ10 formulation with three other commercially available CoQ10 products.⁶ The double-blind, controlled study included 20 healthy male and female subjects who took a single-dose (120 mg) of CoQ10. Plasma concentration of CoQ10 was measured at baseline and at intervals after administration over 24 hours. The VESIsorb® CoQ10 led to the highest plasma concentration levels after 1 hour and continued to increase for 4 hours. The concentration of VESIsorb® CoQ10 remained well above the levels of the 3 other products throughout the 24-hour period.

A Phase 1 study also confirmed the high bioavailability of omega-3s using the VESIsorb® technology.

The bottom line? Higher blood plasma levels are achieved using a much lower dose.

References

1. Xia S, Zhang X, Zheng S, et al. An Update on Inflamm-Aging: Mechanisms, Prevention, and Treatment. J Immunol Res. 2016;2016:8426874.
2. López-Armada MJ, Riveiro-Naveira RR, Vaamonde-García C, Valcárcel-Ares MN. Mitochondrial dysfunction and the inflammatory response. Mitochondrion. 2013;13(2):106-118.
3. Hargreaves I, Heaton RA, Mantle D. Disorders of Human Coenzyme Q10 Metabolism: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(18).
4. Hidalgo-Gutiérrez A, González-García P, Díaz-Casado ME, et al. Metabolic Targets of Coenzyme Q10 in Mitochondria. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10(4).
5. Wierenga KA, Pestka JJ. Omega-3 Fatty Acids And Inflammation – You Are What You Eat! Front Young Minds. 2021;9.
6. Liu ZX, Artmann C. Relative bioavailability comparison of different coenzyme Q10 formulations with a novel delivery system. Altern Ther Health Med. 2009;15(2):42-46.