People who took coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) with selenium for four years had higher levels of the enzyme sirtuin 1—plus a lower risk for cardiovascular mortality¹—according to findings reported on March 21, 2023 in Antioxidants.

This clinical trial studied 326 Swedish men and women over the age of 69 years, with low levels of selenium, who received a placebo or 200 milligrams CoQ10 plus 200 micrograms of selenium for four years. By the end of the trial, participants who received the nutrient combination experienced an average increase in sirtuin 1 serum levels from 252 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) to 469 ng/mL from the beginning to the end of the trial, while levels declined from 269 ng/mL to 190 ng/mL in the placebo group.

At a 10-year follow-up, deaths from cardiovascular disease had occurred among 15% of the treatment group and 32% of the placebo group. Participants who died of cardiovascular disease had lower sirtuin 1 levels at 48 months compared to survivors.

Sirtuin 1, a member of the family of sirtuin enzymes, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The expression and activity of SIRT1, the gene that encodes sirtuin 1, declines in several organs and tissues during aging, including the cardiovascular system. “The importance of selenium and coenzyme Q10 in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and the role of SIRT1 in this context highlight the beneficial effects of SIRT1 on cardiovascular functions, suggesting SIRT as a target for potential prevention,” the study’s authors noted.