Higher CoQ10 Levels May Help Reduce Muscle Damage

Creatine kinase is an enzyme found in the heart, brain, skeletal muscle, and other tissues. Increased amounts of creatine kinase are released into the blood when there is muscle damage. A new study has found that higher levels of CoQ10 may help reduce creatine kinase and muscle damage.

Forty-nine professional soccer players participated in the study during the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 soccer seasons. The researchers measured plasma levels of CoQ10, creatine kinase, and cortisol before the start of each season, at the beginning of each season, and midway through each season.

The researchers found that CoQ10 plasma levels were higher during than the 2015-2016 season compared to the 2014-2015 season. This was correlated with a reduction in creatine kinase levels and levels of the stress marker cortisol. The higher CoQ10 levels were also associated with higher muscle performance and improved kidney function.

The study was conducted by researchers from Boston University and the Universidad Pablo da Olavide. It was published online ahead of print on August 8, 2020 in the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research.