Definition of Bioavailability

We received the following “Definition of Bioavailability” from one of the Senior Scientists at Tishcon Corp.

Bioavailability is the rate and extent to which the active ingredient (CoQ10) is absorbed** from the dosage form (upon oral administration) and becomes available at the site(s) of action. **as measured in the blood

Additional information on “What is Bioavailability” follows:

Bioavaiability is a measure of the uptake of an ingested substance by the body as assessed by its concentration in the blood. The rate and extent of its appearance in the blood are important determinants of bioavailability. The terms bioavailability, biological activity, bioactivity and biopotency are often used interchangeably in nutrition literature, and there is a need for clarification.

Bioavailability refers to the actual concentration of a nutrient in the blood upon ingestion, whereas the other terms deal with quantifiable/measurable biologic or fuctional effects of that nutrient.

Coenzyme Q10 is insoluble in water, but is soluble in lipids to a limited extent. This property of CoQ10 accounts for its rather poor bioavailability. It follows, therefore that if CoQ10 could be made hydrosoluble, its bioavailability should increase. This goal was achieved via the patented Biosolv® process in which the CoQ10 particle size was reduced to submicron levels, and the resulting formulation (Q-Gel®) tested in human subjects. The results of five such separate relative bioavailability studies have confirmed the absolute superiority of Q-Gel® Coenzyme Q10 over all other dosage forms tested in providing the highest plasma CoQ10 levels in the shortest period of time.

One should bear in mind that most products claiming to be soybean oil or rice bran oil formulations contain CoQ10 in a particle size rang of 25.0 to 50.0 microns or even larger. Since the CoQ10 particles in Q-Gel® are smaller than 0.45 microns, they present a surface area which is considerably greater than that available in oil base or dry formulations. A review of the literature on the bioavailability of water insoluble substances shows that the greater the surface area of a nutrient, the higher its absorption.

The superior bioavailability of Q-Gel® CoQ10 makes it a bargain when compared to any other Coenzyme Q10 product on the market. Best of all, clinical results, in real life patients, present the strongest argument in favor of Q-Gel® over other CoQ10 supplements.