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You may have learned in science class that mitochondria are the “powerhouse of the cell,” but at Kaneka, we understand that title doesn’t go far enough. Mitochondria are more than just energy generators: they’re the CEO of your cells, responsible for managing, repairing, and protecting the intricate processes that maintain cellular health so you can keep thriving every day.1
As you explore more content on cellular health and mitochondrial function on Kaneka’s Ubiquinol.org website, you’ll start to see just how central mitochondrial health is to living a vibrant, fulfilling life. We’re committed to keeping you informed on the science of mitochondria and why it’s important to support these tiny but mighty structures at every stage of life. This blog serves as your go-to reference for key definitions and concepts you’ll encounter in our discussions about cellular health, mitochondrial function, and a Kaneka Ubiquinol® supplement.
Read More: Want to Learn More About this Cellular Nutrient? Read This Blog
Why Mitochondrial Function Is Foundational to Cellular Health
As the CEO of the cell, the mitochondria handle cellular “facility maintenance” — or the repair, clean-up, and management activities for your body and cells’1 healthy functioning and long-term wellness.1,2 This maintenance involves two layers:
- Cellular homeostasis: The ongoing quality control mechanisms your cells perform to support healthy growth and development.
- Mitochondrial homeostasis: A subset of cellular homeostasis, just on the mitochondrial level.
While research is ongoing, existing research is clear: healthy mitochondrial function is essential for your long-term cellular health and whole body wellness. The more you understand about mitochondria, the better equipped you are to advance your wellness goals for years to come.
The Relationship Between Ubiquinol and the Mitochondria
Ubiquinol and mitochondria work together to support cellular and whole-body wellness. Before you understand the relationship between the two, you should first understand some of their differences and how they interact.
You may have heard of conventional CoQ10, or “ubiquinone.” Its other form is “ubiquinol,” the active antioxidant form of CoQ10.3,4 Both are naturally produced in your body, and the efficient conversion of ubiquinone into ubiquinol is a key factor in maintaining healthy mitochondrial and cellular function.
Ubiquinol is especially key to helping your mitochondria maintain cellular homeostasis. It protects against an excess of free radicals, molecules seeking electrons that can damage cells over time and cause premature aging.5 Ubiquinol also supports vital cellular energy production, which ensures your organs, like your heart and lungs, maintain proper function.6 Learn more about how ubiquinol supports your body’s cellular energy production, thanks to its antioxidant properties.
As we age, especially beginning around age 40, our bodies become less efficient at converting ubiquinone into ubiquinol. Without enough ubiquinol, our cells cannot regenerate and repair as efficiently. Think of your cells like a car headlight: over time, they get foggy with wear and tear, and while they might still work, they need a little extra help to clean them and help them function properly over the years. Ubiquinol plays a foundational role, supporting your cells as they age and encounter daily stressors.
Your body’s naturally occurring ubiquinol is vital for maintaining healthy cellular function, and a daily Kaneka Ubiquinol® supplement can help you maintain healthy blood levels of ubiquinol, supporting these crucial processes for healthy aging.
Mitochondrial Maintenance: How an Antioxidant Like Ubiquinol Helps
Mitochondria are one of the major sources of free radicals in the body. That’s why ubiquinol’s antioxidant qualities make it the ideal partner for your mitochondria, helping them function normally and protecting against natural wear and tear, like the buildup of excess free radicals.
When you’re prioritizing your cellular health, you should know what these terms mean:
- Free radicals: Molecules that are missing electrons and seek to take them from other molecules, which can cause damage and premature aging.7
- Antioxidant: Molecules (like ubiquinol) that give away electrons to free radicals, neutralizing them without being harmed themselves.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS): A type of free radical containing oxygen; when too many build up in the mitochondria, they can damage the cell.8
Understanding these basics helps you appreciate how your lifestyle — eating a balanced diet, staying active, and taking the right supplements like Kaneka Ubiquinol® — can support healthy mitochondrial maintenance.
The Basics of Oxidative Stress
Understanding oxidative stress and free radicals is key to understanding how an antioxidant, like ubiquinol, supports your cellular health. When free radical levels outnumber antioxidant levels, oxidative stress occurs.9 This is a normal part of life and aging — free radicals are produced naturally during cellular energy production in the mitochondria. However, external factors like a poor diet, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and pollution can worsen oxidative stress to unhealthy levels.10
While some oxidation is necessary for your body’s processes, unmanaged oxidative stress can accelerate aging and impact your overall well-being. The good news? Ubiquinol’s antioxidant properties make it a powerful ally in keeping oxidative stress in check. To learn more about oxidative stress and how to manage it, check out this blog on Ubiquinol CoQ10.
The Four Parts of Cellular and Mitochondrial Homeostasis
Cellular and mitochondrial homeostasis might sound complex, but think of it as your body’s version of regular maintenance to stay healthy. There are four main “facility maintenance” processes of cellular homeostasis to know, especially as they relate to ubiquinol and supplements that contain Kaneka Ubiquinol®:
Fission and Fusion
- Fission: The intentional splitting of one mitochondrion into two, often to remove unusable or damaged parts11
- Fusion: The merging of two mitochondria into one, allowing the recycling of mitochondrial parts and improving energy efficiency
Ubiquinol helps maintain the proper balance of mitochondrial fission and fusion, possibly through its antioxidant properties, though researchers are still exploring other mechanisms and the full extent of its benefits.
Apoptosis
Apoptosis is “programmed cell death”: this may sound concerning, but it’s a natural biological process that safely removes cells that are no longer needed or are functioning poorly. This process can be triggered by age, bacteria, viruses, UV light, or toxins that cause ROS or DNA damage. When apoptosis doesn’t work properly, it can contribute to various health problems.12
Mitophagy
Mitophagy is the process by which cells remove damaged mitochondria, safeguarding overall cellular health. If mitophagy doesn’t occur efficiently, damaged mitochondria can accumulate, potentially triggering inflammatory processes and impairing cell function.13
Cell Senescence
Cell senescence happens when cells stop growing and enter a dormant state to prevent continued damage, often as a protective measure against further damage.14 Many triggers can inspire this process, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, and pathogens. While dormant, these cells remain active so they can signal to the body’s other systems. Eventually, the body’s immune system clears out these senescent cells, but this process slows with age.
Ubiquinol supports all of these “facility maintenance” processes. As you grow older, however, the body does not convert CoQ10 into ubiquinol as efficiently, and ubiquinol levels naturally decline. Kaneka Ubiquinol® can help your cells get the antioxidant support they need.
