Although CoQ10 may be synthesized in the body and is found in food too, deficiencies do exist. Refining and processing of our food supply rob us of this essential nutrient.

The manufacture of CoQ10 in a cell is a complex process, involving multiple vitamins, amino acids and other cofactors. A deficiency in any of these is very likely to impair the cell’s ability to make CoQ10.

Decreased dietary-intake, chronic malnutrition or chronic disease can result in CoQ10 deficiencies. In one clinical study of hospitalized patients who were on total intravenous nutrition without any vitamin support, the blood levels of CoQ10 were found to plummet 50% in just one week. It has also been widely observed that aging is associated with a decline in CoQ10 levels.

Lifestyle factors too may reduce CoQ10 in the tissues of the body – for example high intensity exercise. Blood serum levels of athletes indicate low CoQ10 levels, probably due increased consumption.

Continued use of cholesterol lowering drugs, anti-depressants, statins and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors have major implications towards CoQ10 depletion.

CoQ10 levels are found to be low in patients with some chronic diseases such as Heart Conditions, Muscular Dystrophies, Parkinson’s disease, Cancer, Diabetes and HIV / AIDS.

Perhaps the greatest cause of CoQ10 deficiency appears in tissue that are metabolically active – such as the heart, the liver and the thyroid.

Be it an overactive thyroid, a constantly pulsating heart , the liver or cells of your immune which fight off dangerous disease – none can perform their jobs at the level needed to sustain good health, if they don’t have enough energy . However it is the heart that suffers most because it is continually aerobic.