The coenzyme Q10 content of the average Danish diet

Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1997;67(2):123-9.

Abstract

The average dietary intake of coenzyme Q10 and coenzyme Q9 of the Danish population was determined, based on food consumption data from a national dietary survey. Selected food items in edible form were analyzed for the coenzyme Q content by HPCL with UV-detection, and their contribution to the total intake calculated. The effect of cooking was a 14-32% destruction of coenzyme Q10 by frying, and no detectable destruction by boiling. The average coenzyme Q10 intake of the Danish population was estimated to 3-5 mg/day, primarily derived from meat and poultry (64% of the daily intake), while cereals, fruit, edible fats, and vegetables only make minor contributions. The intake of coenzyme Q10 is approximately 1 mg/day, primarily derived from vegetable fats and cereals. The alpha-tocopherol content of the selected food samples was analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence detection, and the calculated average intake of alpha-tocopherol was comparable to the estimate from the dietary survey (7-8 vs. 7.4 mg alpha-tocopherol/day, respectively). The commercially available dietary supplements (capsules) provide 10-30 mg CoQ10/day, thus the average diet. The optimal dietary intake of coenzyme Q10 is unknown.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Coenzymes
  • Denmark
  • Diet*
  • Eating
  • Edible Grain / metabolism
  • Eggs / analysis
  • Fats / analysis
  • Fishes / metabolism
  • Food Analysis
  • Fruit / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Meat / analysis
  • Poultry / metabolism
  • Ubiquinone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ubiquinone / analysis
  • Ubiquinone / metabolism
  • Vegetables / metabolism
  • Vitamin E / analysis

Substances

  • Coenzymes
  • Fats
  • Ubiquinone
  • Vitamin E
  • coenzyme Q10