CoQ10 Stimulates Saliva Production

The antioxidant Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) was recently shown to reduce dry mouth symptoms. Secretion of saliva is reduced with some health conditions and may be related to aging. CoQ10 is found in the highest concentration in the mitochondria of cells, where it is an important component in the production of cellular energy.

In this new study, investigators evaluated the potential role of CoQ10 in the secretion of saliva in 66 subjects. The subjects received 100 mg per day of either ubiquinol (the reduced form of CoQ10) or ubiquinone (the oxidized form of CoQ10) or a placebo for 1 month. The subjects were evaluated for salivary secretion and salivary CoQ10 levels at the beginning of the study and again after one month of supplementation.

The study found that both ubiquinol and ubiquinone increased salivary secretion and levels of CoQ10 in the saliva.

The researchers concluded, “CoQ10 was locally detected in salivary glands, suggesting that orally administered CoQ10 was transported to the salivary glands via the blood stream and exerted its activity, improving salivary secretion.”

Reference:

Ryo K, Ito A, Takatori R, Tai Y, Arikawa K, Seido T, Yamada T, Shinpo K, Tamaki Y, Fujii K, Yamamoto Y, Saito I. Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on salivary secretion. Clin Biochem. 2011 Mar 12. Published Online Ahead of Print.