Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is found in your mitochondria to assist in energy production. While it is essential, you don’t often need to supplement with CoQ10 because your body naturally produces it. However, as you age, levels naturally decrease and supplementation becomes necessary.
It’s worthy to note that diseases such as fibromyalgia, heart disease, depression, Prader-Willi syndrome, male infertility, Peyronie’s disease, migraines, and Parkinson’s are linked to low levels of CoQ10.
Rankings
1. HealthWise CoQ10
There are very few, if any, competing brands that can provide the high-quality found in this product combined with the 240mg per serving. Among other notable qualities, HeartWise CoQ10 has no additives and has all-natural, ingredients that are 100% GMO-free.
For those looking to monitor their sugar intake, HeartWise also comes both sugar and artificial coloring free. For these reasons, it’s our #1 pick.
2. Essential Elements CoQ10
Essential elements CoQ10 provides a powerful patented and clinically backed supplement that is 206x better absorbed in the body thanks to it being suspended in rice bran oil. Combined with other natural antioxidants such as vitamin A and beta-carotene, this formula pack a punch and helps to boost the immune system while improving heart health.
Every batch is also third party lab tested, so you know exactly what you are getting.
3. Transparent Labs Raw Series CoQ10
Considered to be extremely reliable for long-term use, Transparent Labs Raw Series CoQ10 provides 100 mg of CoQ10 per serving and does so in a pure, natural, and potent way
It has a slew of advantages over other brands including their veggie capsules made without gelatin and the absence of any soybean oil in their ingredients. For those looking the cleaner supplement options, this should be a massive bonus.
4. CoQ10 Complex+ by Nuzena
Though Nuzena is one of the newer supplement companies, they have developed a reputation for producing high-quality products with very simplistic ingredients and manufacturing. In terms of its compound and makeup, Nuzena’s formula includes CoQ10 Complex which contains 200mg of coenzyme.
This combination makes it one of the most potent formulas on the market.
5. Qunol Ultra CoQ10
Quhol is a great CoQ10 option for those who are looking for something that lives up to most if not all of your expectations. One of the only cautionary drawbacks to this supplement is the number of sweeping claims made about their product.
While there is a chance that some of this may be true, it is always important to monitor claims and look for ingredients that support them accordingly. For Quhol, the use of vitamin e and emulsifiers could lend some credence to their claims.
6. Bulk Supplements CoQ10
BulkSupplements only include one ingredient making it over 98% pure CoQ10, so it will give you a great dose of what you’re looking for. With simple packaging, a great product, and a solid reputation there is very little else to be said.
BulkSupplements is one of the best you could find but it may be a bit tedious for a novice supplement taker. With the measuring needing to be completed on a micro-scale and the need to consume this supplement with some fat, it may be best suited to those with some experience.
7. Doctor’s Best High Absorption CoQ10
Though it is not one of the more popular supplement brands out there, Doctor’s Best certainly proves that they may know some of the best information for CoQ10 supplements Doctor’s Best places a high emphasis on absorption.
To that end, they have chosen to use black pepper extract to enhance the absorption rate of their supplement product, making it one of the most reliable options available. They have also included the use of olive oil in their formula which is a key component of using the fat-soluble CoQ10 supplement effectively.
8. Viva Naturals CoQ10
Viva Naturals CoQ10 supplement has earned a great deal of attention and praise for its purity and potency. It’s a very simple formula with black pepper extract and 100 mg of CoQ10 per capsule. BioPerine is a patented black pepper extract shown to improve the absorption of CoQ10 by at least 30%. Each softgel contains 5mg of this powerful compound, significantly enhancing its bioavailability.
This makes it easily one of the best choices in terms of dosage and value. With a total of 4 ingredients, it is also easy to see why those looking for simple but effective would turn to this supplement.
9. Nature’s Bounty CoQ10
Nature’s Bounty has a significant advantage over many other supplements in the marketplace. Though it does have a significant amount of popularity, it is also a well-known brand found in most stores locally.
In terms of product effectiveness, however, it is fairly simplistic. The ingredients are pretty standard. This is not a choice suitable for vegans or vegetarians with animal-based gelatin. Overall though, a solid choice for the novice supplement user.
10. BRI Nutrition CoQ10
BRI Nutrition includes a healthy dose of vitamin A, vitamin E, and black pepper extract to help with absorption and efficacy. BRI only the finest ingredients, all of which are manufactured in our US, GMP compliant, state-of-the-art, facility. Every batch is laboratory tested for quality assurance.
Despite its popularity, it was placed towards the bottom of the rankings due to their purity testing being conducted by an in-house lab.
11. Jarrow Formulas Q-Absorb CoQ10
Widely known for producing a range of high-quality products Jarrows Formulas manufactures a CoQ10 supplement that is on par with the others on this list.
It provides a standard 100mg of CoQ10 per capsule and has been lab-tested to verify its purity. It is also absent of any soy products and uses rosemary and vitamin E for flavoring.
How We Rank
With CoQ10 being such a vital part of the human body and many of its processes, we wanted to put a significant emphasis on products that had the highest degree of purity. The amount of purity was decided through additional research of each product ingredient list and any associated testing results readily available online.
We also looked at the use of any fillers, additives, or artificial ingredients that provided little to no value. Supplements that were shown to contain these products, or a substantial amount of soy, wheat, eggs, dairy, etc were heavily penalized. The key to our decision making was to locate products that were simple yet effective. This is a prime reason why brands such as HealthWise and Transparent Labs landed in the top-tier of choices.
You’ll notice that there are several products that are both vegetarian and vegan-friendly. Though not everyone may require a supplement for one of these lifestyles, these products needed to be showcased to give the best array of choices. This is seen mostly in the choice of supplements that favored cellulose rather than gelatin.
Lastly, we wanted to choose products that had an increased or enhanced amount of efficacy. This is normally dependent on additional products within the supplement, so we looked for products containing black pepper extract or vitamin E specifically.
Benefits
1. COQ10 plays a substantial role in enhancing blood flow. COQ10 increases the effectiveness of nitric oxide to improve blood flow while providing effects that counter estrogen’s activity in the body.
2. CoQ10 protects the blood vessels. COQ10 is seen to reduce the damage caused by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol) on the walls of blood vessels (1).
A 2010 study published in the Journal of Molecular Neuroscience showed that COQ10 could even reduce plaque buildup in found in the arteries (2).
3. CoQ10 protects against heart disease. One study published in the European Heart Journal (2007) demonstrated that CoQ10 could cut the risk of dying from sudden cardiac arrest in half (3).
The study utilized a multi-center, randomized, double-blind test with 420 patients who experience heart failure all over the world. They were divided into two groups, where half supplemented with CoQ10 and half were given a placebo as well as the typical post heart failure treatment.
CoQ10 is beneficial because it works with your body to safely correct the metabolic function of an energy-starved heart seen in chronic heart failure as opposed to blocking cellular processes and causing undesired side effects (which is what other medications are seen to do) (4).
This study continued for two years showing that patients taking CoQ10 cut their risk of another major cardiovascular event, one requiring hospitalization, in half. In fact, their risk of dying from all-cause mortality was cut in half as well (5).
Interestingly, CoQ10 levels are seen to decrease in heart muscle tissue after heart failure. This may explain why supplementation of CoQ10 in those patients with heart failure saw improved quality of life with no side effects.
CoQ10 is seen to be the first supplement to improve survival in chronic heart failure since the discovery of ACE inhibitors over 11 years ago according to the principal investigator of the study (6).
4. Coq10 helps prevent heart complications. One research paper in the Journal of Cardiac failure (1995), reviewed several studies showing that patients with heart failure supplementing daily with CoQ10 showed significantly fewer complications and symptoms compared to those taking the placebo (7).
Similarly, a review published in Atherosclerosis provides evidence that CoQ10 may only be effective in those with heart failure and has little to no effect in improving the health of the cardiovascular system in patients without heart disease (8).
5. CoQ10 has been shown to lower inflammation. A 2013 study showed that Coenzyme Q10 supplementation at 300 mg/d significantly enhances antioxidant enzymes activities and reduces inflammation in patients who have coronary artery disease (9)
6. CoQ10 is seen to reduce muscle-wasting. Rhabdomyolysis is a dangerous muscle-wasting disease linked to low levels of CoQ10 caused by statins (10).
One study published in the American Journal of Cardiology showed evidence that CoQ10 supplementation can decrease muscle breakdown and pain in patients taking statins (11).
7. CoQ10 works as an antioxidant. A study out of the Heart Research Institute (Sydney, Australia) showed that CoQ10 reduces levels of lipid peroxidation in the blood (12).
This shows how CoQ10 works as an antioxidant to prevent fats or cholesterol from becoming oxidized or “sticky” and gives insight into how CoQ10 can clean up blood vessels to improve heart health.
However, while CoQ10 is an effective antioxidant, there are more potent antioxidants out there (13).
8. CoQ10 has shown to reduce hypertension in certain individuals. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Human Hypertension (2007) showed coenzyme Q10 has the potential in hypertensive patients to lower systolic blood pressure by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by up to 10 mm Hg without significant side effects (14).
9. CoQ10 helps to improve your endothelial cell function. Endothelial cells work to produce nitric oxide so that your blood vessels can smoothly and effectively transport nutrients to your cells and waste away from your cells.
One study in 2013 demonstrated that CoQ10 could help improve endothelial cell function modestly (15). However, it is only in those that have a deficiency, to begin with.
10. CoQ10 is seen to reduce symptoms of Peyronie’s disease. Peyronie’s disease is a painful condition in males due to physical trauma to the penis causing painful erections.
A 2010 study done by Safarinejad in the International Journal of Impotence Research showed that there is a significant reduction in pain and symptoms in Peyronie’s disease seen with supplementation of CoQ10, making CoQ10 one of the only oral treatments for this disease (16).
11. CoQ10 helps balance and maintain adequate pH levels in the body. Because of this, it is believed that CoQ10 can help improve lower the risk of disease and improve overall immune function. One study from the national cancer institute even showed women supplementing with coq10 for breast cancer had their conditions improve significantly (17).
12. CoQ10 helps mitigate muscle soreness. One 2007 study showed that CoQ10 supplementation could result in a decrease of muscle soreness and breakdown (18).
However, another study done in 2015 showed that it has no effect on muscle soreness whatsoever (19).
13. CoQ10 protects against cognitive decline. Studies show that those with cognitive impairments have decreased levels of coq10 circulating in their bloodstream. Coq10 supplementation has shown promises of offsetting or at least delay cognitive aging (20).
Furthermore, studies have shown that individuals with Parkinson’s disease taking 360mg of CoQ10 daily for 4 weeks had their conditions improve (21).
14. Coq10 has been shown to improve fertility. As you age, protection against oxidative damage towards eggs and sperm decline. CoQ10 supplementation seems to protect against this – and may even reverse it.
One 2013 meta-analysis showed that while pregnancy rates did not increase, overall sperm motility and concentration increased dramatically (22).
Another study done in 2016 showed that CoQ10 (among other antioxidants improved the number, motility, morphology and sometimes DNA integrity of sperm (23).
15. CoQ10 may protect against skin aging. A 2015 study showed that topical treatment with coenzyme Q10-containing formulas improves skin’s Q10 level and provides antioxidative effects. Moreover, the results demonstrated that stressed skin benefits from the topical Q10 treatment by reduction of free radicals and an increase in antioxidant capacity (24).
It may also decrease the risk of skin cancer.
16. Coq10 can help with headaches. One study published in Neurology (2005) demonstrated that CoQ10 supplementation reduced the occurrence of a migraine by a factor of 3 (25).
Another study – in which 1550 people were examined – showed that Coq10 deficiency increased headache probability and severity. It also demonstrated that supplementation remedied those issues (26).
17. Coq10 can help with diabetes. A 2014 study showed that CoQ10 improves insulin sensitivity and adjusts type 2 diabetic disorder (27).
Another study done in 2015 showed that CoQ10 might help prevent diabetes by stimulating the breakdown of fats and reducing the accumulation of fat cells that could lead to obesity or type 2 diabetes (28).
18. Coq10 protects your lungs. Since your lungs have the most contact with oxygen, they have the most opportunity for oxidative damage. This can result in lung diseases such as asthma.
A 2005 study demonstrated that supplementation with antioxidant inducing nutrients (such as coQ10) reduced inflammation in individuals who had asthma, as well as their need for steroid medications to treat it (29).
19. CoQ10 could help in the treatment of glaucoma. Glaucoma is an ocular condition that causes damage to the optic nerve. Though it may start with mild discomfort, this condition progressively worsens over time. It is often linked to the build-up of pressure within the eye and is most often inherited. The healing properties contained within CoQ10 can help to protect the cells located within the eye and possibly slow the progression of similar conditions.
CoQ10 protects cells specifically located in the retina from radiation damage that may occur from multiple sources including the sun and its UV rays. According to a study published in the Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science Journal in 2007, CoQ10 provides neuroprotective properties when tested with people experiencing the effects of glaucoma (30).
More research must be conducted to draw more definitive conclusions regarding the role of CoQ10 in diseases of this nature.
20. CoQ10 can help relieve diabetic nerve pain. Diabetic neuropathy is a specific type of nerve damage that often occurs in those diagnosed with diabetes. Similar to other types of neuropathic conditions, diabetic neuropathy symptoms can range from numbness and pain to issues extending to other areas of the body.
While treatment often involves prescription pain medication to remedy inflammation and symptoms, CoQ10 has shown promising signs of providing a much more natural alternative.
According to a study published in the Journal of Diabetes Complications CoQ10 dramatically increased diabetic neuropathy of those supplementing their intake. Over 12 weeks, 49 patients were given 400mg supplements of CoQ10. Those receiving the supplement rather than the placebo saw up to a 20% decrease in neuropathy symptoms (31).
Side Effects
1. Coenzyme Q10 can cause an upset stomach (32).
2. CoQ10 can also lower blood sugar levels (33). This means that those with diabetes need to be careful when supplementing with CoQ10 or avoid it altogether.
3. Combining CoQ10 and statin medications should be avoided. Most commonly taken are the statin drugs (34). CoQ10 levels are seen to decrease with age as well.
Unfortunately, older adults who are on statin drugs may be lowering their levels of CoQ10 when they need CoQ10 the most. Especially because ongoing research connects CoQ10 to age-related vision problems, dementia, heart disease and more (35).
4. CoQ10 supplements can cause problems with some medications. CoQ10 is seen to have interactions with beta-blockers, some antidepressants, and chemotherapy drugs (36).
Additionally, CoQ10 is depleted by statin drugs due to the interference between the two; there’s evidence to show that supplementing with CoQ10 on statins can lead to side effects as well (37).
5. CoQ10 was once thought to improve blood pressure. A recent review provides evidence that CoQ10 does not decrease blood pressure significantly compared to taking a placebo (38).
6. Taking 100mg a day or more may cause mild insomnia for certain people.
7. It may not provide any benefits for younger healthy people. As we naturally age, our body produces less and less CoQ10. As such, it’s important for people 50 and over to supplement with it. Anyone younger may not see any additional benefits.
8. CoQ10 can cause allergic reactions. Though generally well-tolerated by most people CoQ10 could cause allergic reactions in some users. In general, allergic reactions caused by CoQ10 are mild to moderate and include skin rashes, hives, or nausea. These reactions can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines and will generally resolve themselves within a couple of days.
In some cases, however, allergic reactions related to CoQ10 are much more severe ad could result in a case of anaphylaxis. Those who have a history of severe allergic reactions should consult a physician before beginning a supplementation regimen. If you experience an allergic reaction while taking CoQ10, it is highly recommended to cease the consumption of the supplement until a trained and experienced physician has been consulted
Recommended Dosage
The standard dose for CoQ10 is generally 90mg (39). That’s an excellent low dose to start with, but research has shown doses up to 200mg to be safe (40).
CoQ10 relies on food for absorption, so it is best to take with food (41). While 200mg is a safe dose, there is no need to take higher doses as 90mg is proven to be the minimal effective dose for CoQ10.
Overall, the research shows that there isn’t a significant therapeutic effect of CoQ10 supplementation. This means that if you’re taking CoQ10 as a preventative measure to improve your health, it is not worth it.
CoQ10 is seen to be most useful for those with damage to their cardiac tissue as well as those patients taking statin drugs on a regular basis (42).
CoQ10 supplements come in two forms. The oxidized form is called ubiquinone while the reduced form is called ubiquinol.
Both forms are seen to work equally well for increasing levels of CoQ10 in the body (43). Looking at your total CoQ10 refers to the sum of both forms because CoQ10 is seen to change from reduced to oxidized as it functions throughout the body (44).
CoQ10 is abundant and better absorbed in certain natural foods (45). Since its fat soluble, it is best ingested with healthy dietary fat. The best sources are certain types of fish, including herring and rainbow trout, grass-fed beef and cage-free eggs.
For vegetarians, the best sources are pistachios, oranges, broccoli, sesame seeds, strawberries, and cauliflower. Beans have also shown to have a good amount of CoQ10.
FAQ
Can you take CoQ10 at night? Taking CoQ10 at night may help with the body’s ability to use it. However, since it can provide energy, it may also increase the likelihood of insomnia.
Are there symptoms of low Coq10? There are no direct symptoms of CoQ10 however if you routinely experience muscle weakness, fatigue, high blood pressure, and slowed thinking it may indicate a CoQ10 issue.
What foods are rich in CoQ10? The best foods include organ meats, fatty fish, legumes, oranges, pistachios and cruciferous vegetables.
Can you take CoQ10 on an empty stomach? Ubiquinone is a crystalline powder that is insoluble in water and is difficult to absorb when taken on an empty stomach. However, when ubiquinone is taken with food (especially oils), it’s absorbed at least twice as fast as when it’s taken on an empty stomach
Is CoQ10 good for energy? Yes, CoQ10 sparks energy production in every cell of your body including the heart.
Is Coq10 good for joints? Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, CoQ10 is now believed to a play a positive role in improving joint pain and reducing arthritis inflammation.
Are their side effects when supplementing with C0Q10, and if so what are they? While most people tolerate coenzyme Q10 well, it can cause some mild side effects including stomach upset, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can cause allergic skin rashes in some people. It also might lower blood pressure, so check your blood pressure carefully if you have very low blood pressure.
Is ubiquinol the same as Coq10? Yes and no. In the body, CoQ10 exists either in its oxidized form, ubiquinone, or in its reduced form, ubiquinol. When oxidized CoQ10 (ubiquinone) is used by the body, it transforms and becomes ubiquinol.
Should young people take CoQ10? There may be no benefit for young people as they already have normal levels of CoQ10 levels present in their symptoms. They are also not at risk for the age-related issues in which CoQ10 is notoriously known for protecting against.
Does CoQ10 thin the blood? No, CoQ10 does not act as a blood thinner. However, there have been reports that CoQ10 may make medications such as warfarin (Coumadin) or clopidigrel (Plavix) less effective at thinning the blood.
Is CoQ10 safe for women during pregnancy? Yes, there is no current evidence or data to suggest CoQ10 is unsafe for women who are pregnant. Though this is the case, however, most women will no longer need to take CoQ10 once they have become pregnant. This does not mean that they cannot do so, as some health benefits occur for women during this time
Can CoQ10 damage your kidneys? Yes, however, this is isolated to those who may already have existing deficiencies. In general, however, CoQ10 is not only safe for your kidneys but may help repair and reduce inflammation and damage from certain disorders
Is there a way to increase CoQ10 naturally? Yes, you can increase your CoQ10 levels naturally. This is mostly isolated to foods that are filled with this coenzyme.
Can women use CoQ10 while breastfeeding? Currently, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that there are any minor or major side effects to using CoQ10 while breastfeeding. Additionally, however, there is no evidence to suggest any specific lactation-related uses at this time. Nursing mothers are highly encouraged to reach out to their physician before using CoQ10 if there are questions or concerns related to their usage.
What are the health benefits of coenzyme Q10? CoQ10 has been shown to reduce the oxidative damage that leads to muscle fatigue, skin damage and brain and lung diseases. It could also help improve blood sugar regulation, heart health, reduce the frequency of migraines and assist in the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Can you take too much CoQ10? Generally, CoQ10 has little to no side effects and is generally well-tolerated. This is true in both low and higher range doses. This could vary, however, from person to person. Those who may be a little more sensitive to the compound may experience minor side effects such as headaches, diarrhea, nausea, or skin rashes.
Is CoQ10 okay for long-term use? Yes, currently CoQ10 is free of any severe long-term issues. Studies have shown that CoQ10 may be useful in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and congestive heart failure which are both chronic, long-term conditions. Those taking CoQ10 for longer durations, however, should consult their doctor before extensive use.
How much research has been done on CoQ10? While there can never be enough research performed on supplements available over the counter, there has been an extensive amount of research regarding CoQ10. As time has progressed, numerous studies from various institutions have proven this to be an extremely safe supplement for the general public.
Who would benefit most from CoQ10 supplementation? Though not a commonly discussed supplement, many people would benefit from the use of a CoQ10 supplement. Specifically, women experiencing fertility issues, and those who may be experiencing heart or liver issues may also benefit from this treatment.
Is CoQ10 available through a multivitamin? No; In general, CoQ10 will not be available via a multi-vitamin supplement. This his due largely to the molecular composition of ubiquinol.
Could CoQ10 cause pain and tingling? While this is not a common or general issue, those who are much more sensitive to the molecular compound may experience some minor discomfort. This could include both tingling and nerve pain depending on the individual involved. While this is the case for some, however, those with concerns should consult a trained physician when deciding whether or not to use CoQ10.
Can you take CoQ10 with high blood pressure medication? Coenzyme Q-10 can increase the effects of medications used to lower blood pressure, so it’s important to consult your doctor before hand.
Recap
CoQ10 is a powerful vitamin-like substance that improves heart health, energy production and protects against oxidative damage over time. However, there are still some side effects and even certain hidden benefits of CoQ10 that are not well understood.
If you’re taking statins and have unpleasant side effects, Or recently suffered from heart failure CoQ10 seems like a safe and effective fit for you.
For Healthtrends #1 CoQ10 recommendation, click here.