Ubiquinol, one of two forms of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), was shown in a recent unpublished study conducted by ubiquinol supplier Kaneka and Kaonkai Miura Hospital in Osaka, Japan to be at deficient levels in vegans and vegetarians compared to omnivores. In light of this finding, ubiquinol supplementation was recommended by the researchers for the growing number of people who actively avoid animal products.
 
Ubiquinol is predominantly found in meat and seafood sources, and is highly difficult to maintain an adequate intake of from plant-based foods alone. Therefore, the authors of the present study aimed to determine the differences between omnivores and vegans/vegetarians of ubiquinol plasma levels.
 
The study recruited 18 healthy vegetarians, 12 vegans, and 30 omnivores between the ages of 20 and 65, who were excluded if they were presently taking CoQ10 supplements or had a history of doing so, with other exclusionary criteria as well. Blood plasma samples were taken from each of the participants, which were analyzed for a number of nutritional criteria including ubiquinol and ubiquinone content, CoQ10 levels, and lipids. While no differences were found for lipids or BMI among the participants, the total CoQ10, ubiquinol, and ubiquinone levels in vegans and vegetarians were significantly lower than those of omnivores. In total, restrictive dietary habits were associated with an average reduction of plasma ubiquinol concentrations of 23%.
 
Ubiquinol, which is produced endogenously but is also available in food sources, is a crucial component of cellular energy production and neutralizing free radicals. The body’s production of ubiquinol is known to decrease due to a number of factors including age, diseases, medications, and lifestyles, which is associated with fatigue, muscle issues, and a weaker immune system, as well as age-related diseases.
 
“Plant-based nutrition continues to flourish as a result of consumer interest in healthy lifestyles, sustainability, and animal welfare, which ties into the broader trend toward cleaner living and eating,” Alexandre Magnin, sales and marketing manager at Kaneka Nutrients Europe, said. “But those opting for a plant-based diet also have to be mindful of their health by supplementing deficient nutrients appropriately. For example, some meat or dairy alternatives were found to be relatively high in sodium, saturated fat, and sugar, and may therefore decrease levels of essential micronutrients. As more and more consumers are switching to a greener lifestyle, these and our new study results are highly important. With Kaneka Ubiquinol, manufacturers of dietary supplements can serve the growing target group of vegetarians and vegans, and optimally support them in their diet.”