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Supplement ingredient

Coenzyme Q10

CoQ10, ubiquinone / ubiquinol

A compound your body makes that supports cellular energy production and acts as an antioxidant.

Evidence: Limited to moderate

Evidence by use: Limited to moderate depending on use. NCI summarizes small studies: in 20 children with leukemia or lymphoma, CoQ10 reduced doxorubicin's harmful effects on the heart; in 236 breast cancer patients, CoQ10 with vitamin E did not improve fatigue or quality of life. Evidence for other conditions varies and is outside this summary.

At a glance

Typical studied dose
Supplement trials commonly use about 100-300 mg per day; the NCI summary does not give a standard dose.
How common is deficiency?
Uncommon

Food sources

Animal sources
Organ meats (heart, liver), beef, pork, fatty fish.
Plant sources
Soybeans, peanuts, spinach, broccoli, oils (small amounts).

Background and testing

This is not an essential nutrient, so there is no deficiency to diagnose.

Good to know
Some medicines (statins) lower levels.
Who tends to use it
Statin users, older adults, people with certain mitochondrial conditions.
How it is tested
Blood CoQ10 tests exist but are not routine and have no widely accepted cut-offs.

Supplement forms

Common forms
Ubiquinone, ubiquinol (reduced form), softgels in oil, powders, gummies.
More effective
Softgels in oil, taken with a fat-containing meal (CoQ10 is fat-soluble).
Less effective
Dry tablets taken on an empty stomach (poor absorption); claims that ubiquinol is always superior (evidence is mixed).

Safety, interactions and halal notes

Safety and interactions
Reported side effects include nausea, heartburn, headache, dizziness, rashes, sleep problems, fatigue and raised liver enzymes. CoQ10 may affect warfarin and insulin; cholesterol and blood-pressure medicines may reduce CoQ10 levels.
Who should avoid it or ask a clinician first
People on warfarin, insulin, chemotherapy or with cancer should talk to their clinician first.
Halal note
Usually produced by fermentation. Check softgel shells (gelatin) and carriers.

Frequently asked questions

Should I take CoQ10 with a statin?

Evidence is mixed. Speak with your prescriber before adding it.

Sources

  1. Coenzyme Q10 (PDQ, National Cancer Institute)

← Back to the full nutrient guide

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, take medicine or have a medical condition. Daily needs are US reference intakes for adults 19-50.

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