Coenzyme Q10 Explained Simply

1. What Is Coenzyme Q10?

Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble substance that the body produces itself. It occurs in every cell. In the powerhouses of the cells, it helps with energy production. There it also acts as a protective substance against harmful oxygen particles. Such protective substances are called antioxidants.

2. Where Is It Found, and What Is It Made From?

Coenzyme Q10 is found in all cells of the body. Especially large amounts of it are found in the heart, liver, and kidney. Through food, we mainly take it in with meat, fish, eggs, and plant oils. For preparations, it is produced with yeasts or bacteria or artificially generated.

3. What Does Coenzyme Q10 Do? What Research Shows

Fertility

In women with diminished ovarian reserve, there were more pregnancies, more eggs, and more good embryos with coenzyme Q10 before artificial fertilization 8. In men with fertility problems, several reviews found more sperm and better motile sperm than with sham treatment 71417. One review bundles coenzyme Q10 with vitamins and a hormone, so its result does not apply to coenzyme Q10 alone 3. The studies are numerous, but the form, amount, and duration of intake were not uniform.

Fatigue

A review found less fatigue with pure coenzyme Q10 than with sham treatment 10. In healthy people with mild tiredness, the reduced form decreased fatigue and drowsiness after mental tasks 46. The studies differ greatly in form, group, and amount, so the transferability remains open.

Blood Pressure

Three reviews found lower upper blood pressure values with coenzyme Q10 than with control 62728. In diabetes, the lower value also decreased in one review 28. Other studies found no difference in blood pressure 2536, and one review found none in the lower value 27. The amounts and time periods differed from study to study.

Heart Failure

In heart failure, coenzyme Q10 improved the heart's pumping power in reviews 301. Physical capacity and mortality also improved 30. The results come mainly from reviews whose certainty is considered moderate to low 30. Which form and amount work best remains open 135.

Muscle Symptoms Under Statins

For muscle pain with cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins), a review with coenzyme Q10 found less pain than in the comparison group 23, and another review describes an improvement 16. Other works found no advantage for pain or muscle values 2043. The participant numbers were small and the forms and amounts inconsistent.

Migraine

In migraine, a review found fewer, shorter and weaker attacks with coenzyme Q10 than with control 26. A study on a mixed product with L-carnitine also shows less headache, but cannot be attributed to coenzyme Q10 alone 41. Larger studies with pure coenzyme Q10 in migraine are still pending.

Tolerability and Safety

Several studies and reviews show predominantly no differences in side effects compared with sham treatment 1234424445. Coenzyme Q10 was also well tolerated in rheumatic diseases and during chemotherapy 1839. In a study in blood poisoning, some patients receiving coenzyme Q10 developed low blood pressure 37. The numbers of participants in the studies are mostly small.

Other Investigations

Several reviews found fewer signs of harmful oxygen stress with coenzyme Q10 than with sham treatment 513152122. Inflammation values and blood sugar were also favorably influenced in several studies 2911182531. A review in diabetes, by contrast, found no change in blood lipids 28. Form, amount, and duration differed from study to study and were often not reported.

4. How Was Coenzyme Q10 Taken in the Studies?

In the studies, coenzyme Q10 was almost always swallowed, mostly as the oxidized form, sometimes as the reduced form. There were capsules, soft capsules, and liquid preparations. Individual studies tested preparations that are absorbed better. The amounts and time periods differed from study to study and were often not reported precisely.

5. Is Coenzyme Q10 Safe? Side Effects in the Studies

A result can best be classified when the form, amount, and duration of intake are known. For combination preparations, a result applies only to the whole mixture, not to coenzyme Q10 alone. A measured blood level is not proof of a health benefit.

All details with tables and sources: full expert page on Coenzyme Q10