coenzyme Q10

noun

Medical Definition of coenzyme Q10

: a ubiquinone C59H90O4 of humans and most other mammals that has a side chain with ten isoprenoid units and possesses antioxidant properties The many claims made by proponents of coenzyme Q10 … that it can help treat heart failure, cancer and diabetes, improve sperm quality and even help you live longer—stem from the fact that the compound plays a crucial role in almost every cell in the body. As a rule, coenzymes help enzymes do their job: in this case, the enzymes that produce energy in our cells.New Scientist, 30 Aug. 2014 abbreviation CoQ10