THE COENZYME Q(10) CONTENT OF THE AVERAGE DANISH DIET

The average dietary intake of coenzyme Q(10) and coenzyme Q(9) of the Danish population was determined based on food consumption data from a national dietary survey. Selected food items in edible form were anal yzed for the coenzyme Q content by HPCL with UV-detection, and their c ontribution to the total intake calculated. The effect of cooking was a 14-32% destruction of coenzyme Q(10) by frying, and no detectable de struction by boiling. The average coenzyme Q(10) intake of the Danish population was estimated to 3-5 mg/day, primarily derived from meat an d poultry (64% of the daily intake), while cereals, fruit, edible fats , and vegetables only make minor contributions. The intake of coenzyme Q(9) is approximately 1 mg/day, primarily derived from vegetable fats and cereals. The alpha-tocopherol content of the selected food sample s was analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence detection, and the calculated average intake of alpha-tocopherol was comparable to the estimate fro m the dietary survey (7-8 vs. 7.4 mg alpha-tocopherol/day, respectivel y). The commercially available dietary supplements (capsules) provide 10-30 mg CoQ(10)/day thus substantially higher amounts than present in the average diet. The optimal dietary intake of coenzyme Q(10) is unk nown.