Coenzyme Q10 in the diet--daily intake and relative bioavailability

The coenzyme Q10 content of the average Danish diet was estimated from consumption data and from analysis of food items to be 3-5 mg coenzyme Q10 per day, primarily derived (64% of the total) from meat and poultry. To investigate if coenzyme Q10 was absorbed to any significant degree from a food item, a randomized cross-over study with single doses of coenzyme Q10 (30 mg/person), administered either as a meal or as capsules, was carried out in healthy subjects. The serum coenzyme Q10 concentration increased significantly, and the maximum concentrations did not differ significantly for the two forms of administration. The study indicates that coenzyme Q10 is present in food items and absorbed to a significant degree. Thus, dietary coenzyme Q10 may contribute to the plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration.