Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone) Buyer's Guide

STRONG EVIDENCE

Coenzyme Q10 supplements in the form of ubiquinone may be less effective as it requires conversion in the body to active form, a step that becomes less efficient with age. We recommend athletes to take the active or ubiquinol form of Coenzyme Q10, especially older athletes.

 

• 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 disease (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

Kirkland Signature Coenzyme Q10 300mg

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

• Carlson Coenzyme Q10 100mg, 90 Soft Gels
• Thorne Research Q-Best (100 mg, 60 gelcaps)

Other Options for those with dietary limitations

Bluebonnet Ubiquinone is Kosher Certified.

For Athletes

Verdict: Consider the reduced form of Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 does not improve aerobic or anaerobic performance reliably, however it may increase fat oxidation during low intensity exercise. It does not affect physical performance or muscle damage. The reduced form of Coenzyme Q10, ubiquinol, did lead to improvements in power output in young elite athletes at a dose of 300 mg per day. For this reason, we recommend athletes, both young and old, to supplement with ubiquinol over ubiquinone.

Best Product for Athletes

There are currently no Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone) products that we can guarantee as safe and effective for athletes required to pass anti-doping tests. Despite this fact, the recommended products above are highly likely to be safe.

For consumer use:

We recommend: Thorne Research Q-Best (100 mg, 60 gelcaps)

How to take

300 mg ubiquinol, not ubiquinone, has been used to improve power output

General use: 100 - 200 mg per day

Warnings

Ubiquinone may be less effective than the reduced form of Coenzyme Q10 known as ubiquinol. Older athletes could find an increased benefit from choosing the latter.

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.

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)