Ubiquinol/Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

What is CoQ10?

CoQ10, also known as ubiquinone, is a naturally occurring substance that is found in every cell in the human body. It is a coenzyme that plays a key role in producing energy within cells, particularly in the heart, liver, and muscles.

How does it work?

CoQ10 has been shown to have antioxidant properties, which means that it can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, it may help to improve cellular energy production, making it an important nutrient for supporting overall health and wellness.

What are the active ingredients that are important for its medicinal properties?

CoQ10 is the active ingredient in supplements that is important for its medicinal properties.

What forms does it come in?

CoQ10 is available in supplement form, including softgels, gummies, and powders.

What if there’s an imbalance or deficiency?

If there is a deficiency or imbalance of CoQ10 in the body, it can lead to decreased energy production and increased oxidative stress, potentially leading to the development of certain conditions and symptoms.

When was it first used for medicinal purposes?

CoQ10 was first discovered in 1957, and its use as a dietary supplement for medicinal purposes has been studied since the 1960s.

What does Ubiquinol/Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) help with?

CoQ10 is a substance your cells use to make energy. Dr. Frederick Crane found it in 1957 at the University of Wisconsin. Ubiquinol is the form the body can use right away.

• Heart failure and general heart health
  Good evidence — multiple randomised trials in people with heart failure. People with heart failure often have very low CoQ10 in heart tissue. In multiple trials in people, those given CoQ10 had fewer hospital stays, milder symptoms and a lower risk of death from heart causes. The proposed reason is better energy use in heart muscle.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T0
• Frequent migraines and headaches
  Good evidence — multiple randomised trials in people; listed in migraine prevention guidelines. Multiple trials in people found fewer migraine days per month with CoQ10. Low CoQ10 shows up in a fair share of people who get frequent migraines. Poor cell energy in brain tissue is thought to play a part, but that is a theory.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T0
• High blood pressure
  Good evidence — a meta-analysis pooling several randomised trials. A meta-analysis of several trials found average drops of about 11 mmHg systolic and 7 mmHg diastolic. Researchers link this to better function of blood vessel walls and less oxidative stress. That mechanism comes from lab and clinical reasoning, not from a single proof.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T0
• Muscle aches and tiredness while taking a statin
  Good evidence — clinical trials in people taking statins. Statins block the same path your body uses to make CoQ10. In clinical trials, people who took CoQ10 reported meaningful drops in muscle pain scores. It is one of the most used options for these side effects.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T0
• Low sperm count or poor sperm quality
  Good evidence — clinical trials in men with unexplained infertility. In clinical trials of men with unexplained infertility, CoQ10 raised sperm count, movement and shape. CoQ10 sits in the midpiece of sperm, where the energy-making parts cluster. That location is known from lab work, not from a human trial.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T0
• Low energy and long-lasting tiredness
  Early evidence — small human studies, including people with chronic fatigue syndrome. In studies of people with chronic fatigue syndrome, CoQ10 was linked to less fatigue. Ubiquinol was the form used in much of this work. Healthy adults who reported low energy also noted gains, but these studies are small.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Exercise power and recovery after hard training
  Early evidence — several small trials in athletes and recreational exercisers. Several trials in athletes and everyday exercisers found more power output and less exercise fatigue. Some also reported faster muscle recovery. The proposed reason is steadier cell energy and less oxidative stress from hard training.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Egg quality and IVF outcomes
  Early evidence — early human studies in women with poor ovarian response. Early studies suggest CoQ10 may support women with poor ovarian response during IVF. Egg energy output is thought to fall with age, which is the proposed reason. This remains an active research area, so treat the findings as preliminary.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0
• Blood sugar and insulin response
  Early evidence — some human studies, early and still emerging. Some human studies found better response to insulin and steadier fasting blood sugar with CoQ10. Less oxidative stress in metabolic tissue is the proposed reason. The evidence is early, so it is studied as a support, not a swap.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T0

What Ubiquinol/Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has not been shown to do

• Large trials in Parkinson's disease gave mixed results, so CoQ10 has not been shown to slow that disease.
• It has not been shown to stop or reverse Alzheimer's disease; that research is still early.
• Heart failure trials added CoQ10 on top of standard heart drugs, so it has not been shown to replace them.
• It has not been shown to control blood sugar on its own, apart from proven diabetes care.

How to read this:

Each use has its own grade. A means steady results from trials in people. B means at least one good trial in people. C means small, mixed or early human studies. D means the human evidence is weak or clashes. Insufficient means no human study at all. The whole remedy is graded B. This page lists options and reports what studies found. It is not medical advice, and it is not a promise of results for you.

What can Ubiquinol/Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) help prevent?

• Cardiovascular mortality in heart failure patients (Q-SYMBIO trial data supports reduction in major adverse cardiac events)
• Migraine frequency: recognized as a preventive agent in several headache society guidelines
• Statin-induced muscle damage: supplementation before and during statin therapy may reduce myopathy risk
• Age-related decline in cellular energy output: CoQ10 levels fall with age and replenishment maintains mitochondrial function

Which foods are rich in it?

• fatty fish (such as salmon and mackerel)
• organ meats (such as liver and kidney)
• whole grains
• nuts and seeds (such as almonds and sesame seeds)
• fruits (such as oranges and strawberries)

What are possible side effects?

CoQ10 supplements are generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience side effects such as:

• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Rash

What’s the recommended daily dose?

The recommended daily dose of CoQ10 varies depending on age, health status, and the reason for taking it, but most supplements provide 30-200 mg per day.

How many days does it take to work?

The length of time it takes for CoQ10 to take effect can vary depending on the individual and the reason for taking it, but some improvement in symptoms may be seen within a few weeks to several months of consistent use.

What time of day is best to take it?

There is no specific time of day that is best to take CoQ10, but it is usually recommended to take it with a meal.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

CoQ10 is typically taken with food to improve absorption.