Effect of a Two-Week Diet without Meat and Poultry on Serum Coenzyme Q10 Levels

Abstract

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential compound for energy production in the mitochondria and the antioxidation of lipid-soluble substances in cells. As it can be biosynthesized in cells, CoQ10 is not an essential nutrient. However, its intake through meals contributes to the maintenance of CoQ10 levels in the body. Therefore, understanding the effects of daily diet on serum CoQ10 levels is crucial. This study investigated the effect of a two-week diet without meat or poultry, which are rich in CoQ10 content, on serum CoQ10 levels of 22 young women aged 20–21 years. Upon restricting the intake of meat and poultry, the participants’ average daily intake of CoQ10 from meals decreased from 2.1 ± 0.6 to 1.1 ± 0.5 mg/day. Simultaneously, the average serum reduced, oxidized, and total CoQ10 levels decreased by 14%, 31%, and 16%, respectively, after the two-week dietary intervention, whereas the reduced serum CoQ10 ratio increased significantly. These results suggest that meat and poultry are significant sources of CoQ10 in the diet. Dietary habits affect serum CoQ10 levels; however, further research is required to determine whether people who follow long-term diets with lower serum CoQ10 levels, such as a healthy reference diet proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission in addition to vegetarian and vegan diets, need CoQ10 supplementation to maintain health and achieve healthy longevity.