Where are the largest concentrations of Co-Q10 found in the body?
Co-Q10 plays a critical role in metabolism, so the human body is able to produce its own CoQ10. Therefore, it is nutritionally non-essential. However, it is possible to obtain modest amounts through diet or as supplements. CoQ10 is found in each cell of the human body, but is particularly concentrated in tissues with large energy requirements, including the the heart, liver, kidneys and skeletal muscles. The brain, lungs, and intestines have smaller amounts. There are also substantial amounts of CoQ10 in circulation, most often associated with lipoprotein (LDL or HDL) particles. Normal adults have an estimated 0.5 and 1.5 grams in their bodies. About half of the cellular CoQ10 is found within the mitochondria (energy-producing centers of the cells), where the final steps of CoQ10 synthesis occur.
