Do Nutrients Like CoQ10 & Tocotrienols Support Liver Health Naturally?

A healthy liver plays a vital role in maintaining regular bowel movements and preventing constipation. But what happens when the liver is compromised? 

The expected answer is that you may need to steer clear of your favorite sugary, salty, and creamy beverages, as a weakened liver struggles to process them effectively, which can lead to potential health issues.

To understand the situation today, let’s take you back to the good old times. In the past, your ancestors lived without modern technology or convenient transportation. They walked long distances to get essentials like water and engaged in physically demanding activities, such as farming. The carbohydrates they consumed were efficiently burned as energy, and food scarcity often prevented overeating.

Fast forward to today: technology has made life easier, and you are just a click away from satisfying your taste buds. However, physical activity has decreased significantly, leaving you with a lifestyle of overeating while burning fewer calories. So, where do those extra calories go? They accumulate in the liver as fat, contributing to the rising prevalence of liver-related issues.

According to a 2021 review, the incidence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is expected to rise by up to 56% over the next decade. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is already the fastest-growing cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the USA, France, and the UK. By 2040, over half of the adult population is projected to have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

So, is there a solution? Yes, there is. Let's explore the 2 options!"

One simple mantra is: Eat according to your calorie requirements. Burn calories by engaging in physical activity so they don't accumulate in your liver.

The second option is: Eat a healthy diet and supplement it with natural ingredients like CoQ10 and tocotrienols with professional help.

So, let's dive into the second option: Supporting Liver Health Naturally with CoQ10 and Tocotrienols.

What are CoQ10 & Tocotrienols?

CoQ10, or ubiquinone, is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in your body (particularly in the mitochondria of cells). It plays a significant role in producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is essential for cellular energy transfer. However, due to an unhealthy lifestyle (lack of nutrients) or the aging process, ubiquinone levels tend to decline in the body. 

Tocotrienol is a form of vitamin E that is different from tocopherols (another form of vitamin E) due to its unique molecular structure and penetration into the cell walls.

CoQ10 and tocotrienols have been studied for their role in maintaining cellular and liver health, as well as energy production. Let's see how they can help support liver health.

How can CoQ10 promote liver health?

Coenzyme Q10 has been studied for its potential to promote liver health through several multifactorial mechanisms. 

• It may help protect liver cells from damage caused by harmful molecules, like free radicals, that attack fats in the body. 

• It may help improve liver enzymes, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Their optimal level can be a sign of a healthy liver.

• Coenzyme Q10 has been linked to reduced systemic inflammation, suggesting a potential contribution to a healthy liver.

• It helps the mitochondrial electron transport chain produce ATP, as the liver is a high-energy-requiring organ with numerous metabolic functions.

Also read Unlock the CoQ10 Benefits for Women: What You Need to Know.

Let's explore an example of the study supporting CoQ10 for its potential liver benefits.

CoQ10 supplementation on liver enzymes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized studies

What did they do?

• Investigated how Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a strong antioxidant, affects liver function enzymes.

• Conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

• Focused on key liver enzymes: ALT, AST, GGT, and alkaline phosphatase.

What did they find?

CoQ10 Supplementation Results:

• ALT: Reduced by 5.33 IU/L (p = .04).

• AST: Reduced by 4.91 IU/L (p = .03).

• GGT: Reduced by 8.07 IU/L (p = .001).

• Alkaline Phosphatase: No significant changes (p = .76).

What did they conclude?

CoQ10 has the potential to improve ALT, AST, and GGT levels, indicating supportive benefits for liver function.

Note: Further studies with longer durations and larger participant groups are needed to confirm this.

Like CoQ10, natural ingredient such as tocotrienol also supports liver health—let’s explore how in the next section.

How can Tocotrienol promote liver health?

Tocotrienol has been studied to promote liver health through the following mechanism of action: 

• It may improve lipid metabolism, allowing for the avoidance of liver steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. 

• It has been shown to suppress inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α and NF-κB, which are believed to play a role in NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).

• It may help combat oxidative stress associated with liver diseases.

• It improves End-Stage Liver Disease Scores (MELD). The highest scores on the MELD scale, which ranges from 6 to 40, indicate the worst liver function and the greatest need for a transplant.

Let’s look at a study that highlights the potential benefits of tocotrienol for liver health.

Potential Role of Tocotrienol (T3) in Management of NAFLD: A Systematic Review (Chin Kok-Yong et al. 2023)

What Did They Do?

Conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effects of tocotrienol on NAFLD.

What Did They Find?

• Effects of T3 Supplementation: The study found improved non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) outcomes, including liver histology, ultrasound results, and liver enzyme profiles.

• They found that enhanced lipid metabolism and reduced fat accumulation in the liver, lowered mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and reduced inflammation and liver fibrosis could be the potential mechanisms behind the improvement.

What did they conclude?? T3 has been shown to be a potential agent for managing liver conditions like NAFLD in the future.

Note: Further comprehensive studies in humans and preclinical settings are needed to confirm its efficacy.

Conclusion

 It's important to incorporate habits that support liver health. Yes, we at Wellness Extract also understand that sometimes indulging in a guilty pleasure is also essential. So, we encourage you to take a middle path, with the help of a healthcare professional, and create a lifestyle routine that allows you to maintain healthy habits, including a sustainable diet with essential nutrients, and occasionally enjoy your favorite indulgence. 

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References:

1. R;, H.D.-S.H. (no date) Global epidemiology of NAFLD-related HCC: Trends, predictions, risk factors and prevention, Nature reviews. Gastroenterology & hepatology. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33349658/#:~:text=The%20incidence%20of%20nonalcoholic%20steatohepatitis,to%20tackle%20this%20growing%20problem (Accessed: 18 April 2025).

2. Le, M.H. et al. (2022) Forecasted 2040 global prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease using hierarchical bayesian approach, Clinical and molecular hepatology. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9597215/ (Accessed: 18 April 2025). 

3. Le, M.H. et al. (2022) Forecasted 2040 global prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease using hierarchical bayesian approach, Clinical and molecular hepatology. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9597215/ (Accessed: 18 April 2025). 

4. Farsi, F. et al. (2021a) Effects of coenzyme Q10 on health-related quality of life, clinical disease activity and blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis: A randomized clinical trial, Medical journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8111632/ (Accessed: 18 April 2025). 

5. Chin, K.-Y. et al. (2023) Tocotrienol in the management of nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A systematic review, Nutrients. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9965814/ (Accessed: 18 April 2025).