Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol) Buyer's Guide

STRONG EVIDENCE

Coenzyme Q10 supplements in the reduced form of ubiquinol appear to have benefit for heart health, fibromyalgia and Peyronie's disease. In older adults, reduced form Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol) may be superior to Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone) due to inefficient conversion in the body with age.

 

Coenzyme Q10 has STRONG EVIDENCE for congestive heart failure when used for 2 years (PubMed)(PubMed)

Coenzyme Q10 has STRONG EVIDENCE for migraines but takes around 1 month to reach effectiveness (PubMed)(PubMed)(PubMed)(PubMed)(PubMed)

Coenzyme Q10 has STRONG EVIDENCE for fibromyalgia (PubMed)(PubMed)

Coenzyme Q10 has MODERATE EVIDENCE for diabetic neuropathy (PubMed)(PubMed)

Coenzyme Q10 has MODERATE EVIDENCE for cholesterol reduction when used by itself (PubMed)

Coenzyme Q10 has MODERATE EVIDENCE for myocardial infarction (PubMed)(PubMed)(PubMed)(PubMed)

Coenzyme Q10 has MODERATE EVIDENCE for Peyronie's disease (PubMed)

Coenzyme Q10 has WEAK EVIDENCE for power output (PubMed)

Coenzyme Q10 has NO EVIDENCE for blood pressure but may affect blood pressure in older people with orthostatic hypertension (PubMed)(PubMed)

Recommended Products

USP Approved Supplements

There are no USP approved Coenzyme Q10 supplements.

NSF Approved Supplements

There are no NSF Approved Coenzyme Q10 supplements we approve.

Informed Sport Approved Supplements

There are no Informed Sport Approved Coenzyme Q10 supplements.

Informed Choice Approved Supplements

There are no Informed Choice approved Coenzyme Q10 supplements.

Other Good Options

• Nordic Naturals, Nordic CoQ10, Ubiquinol, 100 mg, 60 Soft Gels (Kaneka)
• Jarrow Formulas, Ubiquinol, QH-Absorb, 100 mg, 60 Softgels (Kaneka)
• Jarrow Formulas, Ubiquinol, QH-Absorb, 100 mg, 120 Softgels (Kaneka)
• Jarrow Formulas, Ubiquinol, QH-Absorb, 200 mg, 30 Softgels (Kaneka)
• Jarrow Formulas, Ubiquinol, QH-Absorb, 200 mg, 60 Softgels (Kaneka)
• Jarrow Formulas, Ubiquinol, QH-Absorb, 200 mg, 90 Softgels (Kaneka)
• Life Extension, Super Ubiquinol CoQ10, 100 mg, 60 Softgels (Kaneka)
• NOW Foods, Ubiquinol, 100 mg, 60 Softgels (Kaneka)
• NOW Foods, Ubiquinol, 100 mg, 120 Softgels (Kaneka)
• NOW Foods, Ubiquinol, 200 mg, Extra Strength, 60 Softgels (Kaneka)

See our table for more options.

Other Options for those with dietary limitations

Solgar, Ubiquinol (Reduced CoQ10), 200 mg, 30 Softgels is Kosher Certified.

For Athletes

Verdict: Slightly beneficial for athletes 

Coenzyme Q10 does not improve aerobic or anaerobic performance reliably, however it may increase fat oxidation during low intensity exercise more reliably. It does not seem to affect physical performance or muscle damage, although a study in elite athletes found that Coenzyme Q10 did slightly improve power output as measured by a cycling test. Older athletes may find a more reliable benefit due to reduced natural Coenzyme Q10 production in the body.

Best Product for Athletes

There are no banned substance tested Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol) products on the market that have also been verified for label accuracy - we can't make a recommendation for athletes at this time.

For general use:

We prefer Life Extension, Super Ubiquinol CoQ10, 100 mg, 60 Softgels (Kaneka)

How to take

300 mg has been used in elite athletes to improve power

General use: 100 - 200 mg per day

Warnings

Daily Coenzyme Q10 is safe at dosages of up to 1200 mg.

For Healthcare Practitioners

Mechanism of Action

Coenzyme Q10 is a fat soluble compound present in all cells and membranes, but in higher concentrations in the heart, liver and kidney. The primary activity of coenzyme Q10 is as an antioxidant, a membrane stabiliser and cofactor in metabolic pathways, in particular, the production of ATP in oxidative respiration (PubMed)(PubMed).
The body produces coenzyme Q10 in adequate amounts. The biosynthesis of coenzyme Q10 is a 17-step process requiring folic acid, vitamin C, riboflavin, niacinamide, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, cobalamin and other trace elements (PubMed). Deficiency may arise from inadequate dietary intake of these nutrients. Coenzyme Q10 production in the body decreases with age, and may be affected by statin medication, genetic defects and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Interactions

Drug Interactions

ALKYLATING AGENTS
Coenzyme Q10 may reduce the activity of chemotherapy treatment.

WARFARIN (Coumadin)
Coenzyme Q10 may have procoagulant effects and reduce the effectiveness of warfarin. (PubMed)