CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone/ubiquinol) is an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and a potent lipid-soluble antioxidant. Brain tissue has among the highest CoQ10 demands in the body due to intense mitochondrial activity. Levels decline significantly with age, and supplementation supports cellular energy production, reduces oxidative stress, and may slow neurodegenerative processes.
Dosage
Standard: 100-300 mg daily with a fatty meal. Ubiquinol form is better absorbed than ubiquinone, especially in older adults. For mitochondrial support: 200-400 mg daily. Statin users may need supplementation as statins deplete CoQ10.
Dosages shown are for research reference only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Half-Life
33-36 hours
Administration
Oral (softgels, capsules). Ubiquinol form preferred for absorption. Take with fat-containing food.
Shop CoQ10
99%+ purity · third-party lab tested
Mechanism of Action
CoQ10 (ubiquinone/ubiquinol) shuttles electrons between Complex I (NADH dehydrogenase) and Complex II (succinate dehydrogenase) and Complex III (cytochrome bc1 complex) of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This is the fundamental process of oxidative phosphorylation—electrons flow through the chain to Complex IV, driving proton pumping and ATP synthesis via Complex V (ATP synthase). Without adequate CoQ10, the chain bottlenecks at the CoQ pool and energy production drops, particularly in high-metabolic tissues like neurons. As a lipid-soluble antioxidant, CoQ10 (in its reduced ubiquinol form) protects mitochondrial membranes from lipid peroxidation by terminating free radical chain reactions. It also regenerates vitamin E (tocopherol) from its radical form, amplifying antioxidant capacity. Brain CoQ10 levels decline with age.
Regulatory Status
Dietary supplement worldwide. Not FDA-approved for any medical condition. Widely prescribed alongside statins in some countries.
Risks & Safety
Common
Mild gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea.
Serious
May reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners (warfarin).
Rare
Insomnia, rash, dizziness.
Compare CoQ10 With
Research Papers
10Published: December 26, 2023
AI Summary
A significant problem associated with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) is recurrent treatment failure which can be attributed to the age-associated decline in oocyte quality. CoQ10 supplementation was found to improve fertilization rates, embryo maturation rates and embryo quality when used before and during in vitro fertilization (...
Published: March 18, 2024
AI Summary
Here, we discuss the effects of CoQ10 on oocyte maturation and the important role of CoQ10 in the growth of various organs during different stages of fetal development. These allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of embryonic development and the potential role of CoQ10 in improving fertility quality.
Published: March 2, 2019
AI Summary
Migraine ranks among the most frequent neurological disorders globally. Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a nutritional agent that might play a preventative role in migraine.
Published: May 8, 2018
AI Summary
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) or ubiquinone is found in the biological system which is synthesized by the conjugation of benzoquinone ring with isoprenoid chain of variable length. Some alternative biosynthetic pathway for designing of CoQ10 production coupled with metabolic engineering might help to increase CoQ10 production.
Published: June 26, 2007
AI Summary
Deficiency of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in muscle has been associated with a spectrum of diseases including infantile-onset multi-systemic diseases, encephalomyopathies with recurrent myobinuria, cerebellar ataxia, and pure myopathy.
Published: April 25, 2024
AI Summary
It is a natural nutrient that is not only produced by the body but is also found in foods, such as meat, eggs, fish, and vegetable oils. Recent studies suggest that CoQ10 may be a supplement to pharmacotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Published: August 14, 2022
AI Summary
Cardiovascular disease is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective adjunct to cancer chemotherapy but leads to cardiovascular-related side effects.
Published: December 31, 2020
AI Summary
Importantly, results showed that even though CoQ10 had no effects on the mtDNA copy number and the expression of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis, it significantly improved the mitochondrial complex I and V activities and promoted the mitophagy in APAP-overdose mice.
Published: December 19, 2008
AI Summary
Risk assessment for CoQ10 based on various clinical trial data indicates that the observed safety level (OSL) for CoQ10 is 1200 mg/day/person. Evidence from pharmacokinetic studies suggest that exogenous CoQ10 does not influence the biosynthesis of endogenous CoQ9/CoQ10 nor does it accumulate into plasma or tissues after cessation of supplementa...
Published: September 12, 2020
AI Summary
CoQ10 deficiency is broadly classified into primary or secondary deficiencies. Primary deficiencies result from genetic defects in the multi-step biochemical pathway of CoQ10 synthesis, whereas secondary deficiencies can occur as result of other diseases or certain pharmacotherapies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CoQ10 used for?
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone/ubiquinol) is an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and a potent lipid-soluble antioxidant. Brain tissue has among the highest CoQ10 demands in the body due to intense mitochondrial activity. Levels decline significantly with age, and supplementation supports cellular energy production, reduces oxidative stress, and may slow neurodegenerative processes.
What are the side effects of CoQ10?
Common: Mild gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea. Serious: May reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners (warfarin). Rare: Insomnia, rash, dizziness.
How is CoQ10 administered?
CoQ10 is administered via oral (softgels, capsules). ubiquinol form preferred for absorption. take with fat-containing food..
What is the half-life of CoQ10?
The half-life of CoQ10 is 33-36 hours.
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