CoQ10: Do You Need a Supplement?

Jitka Burger

Oct 30, 2023

4 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

CoQ10 supplements are often marketed for more energy and healthy aging. But do you need one, and what does the research actually show?

What is Coenzyme Q10?

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also called ubiquinone, is a naturally occurring antioxidant that is found in every cell of the human body.

CoQ10 has three primary functions: it supports cardiovascular health, enables energy production and promotes healthy mitochondrial function.

Where does Coenzyme Q10 come from?

Most healthy people produce enough CoQ10 naturally, although its production decreases as we age.

We can obtain CoQ10 from dietary sources such as animal protein sources (pork, lamb, beef, chicken, oily cold-water fish), vegetable oils, nuts, vegetables (spinach, pea, broccoli, cauliﬂower), fruits (orange, strawberry, apple) and whole grains (rye, wheat).[1]

When to supplement with CoQ10?

CoQ10 deficiency can be primary or secondary.

CoQ10 supplements are a useful tool in the treatment of primary CoQ10 deficiencies.

What is primary coenzyme Q10 deficiency?

Primary coenzyme Q10 deficiency is caused by gene mutations and affects less than 1 in 100,000 people.[2]

What is secondary coenzyme Q10 deficiency?

Secondary CoQ10 deficiency can occur as a consequence of other conditions, including certain genetic and mitochondrial disorders. Treatment depends on the underlying condition, and the benefits of CoQ10 supplementation vary.[3]

Can CoQ10 supplements help with certain health conditions?

Researchers have studied CoQ10 for several health conditions. Some studies suggest it may help, while others have found little or no benefit. Here’s what they found.

Parkinson’s disease

A large clinical trial found that CoQ10 did not slow the progression of early Parkinson’s disease.[4]

Hypertension

There is evidence that CoQ10 supplements can statistically and modestly reduce systolic blood pressure by an average of about 3.5 mmHg across the studies, although results varied considerably. However, the decrease in diastolic blood pressure was not statistically significant.[5]

Heart failure

In the Q-SYMBIO trial, 420 people with moderate to severe chronic heart failure received either CoQ10 or a placebo alongside their usual treatment. Over two years, 15% of those taking CoQ10 experienced a major cardiovascular event, compared with 26% of those taking the placebo.[6] The American Heart Association considers these findings promising but says more research is needed to establish how much CoQ10 helps people with heart failure.[7]

Migraines

Taking CoQ10 regularly may help people spend fewer days each month with migraine. A review of five studies involving 346 adults and children found that, compared with placebo, CoQ10 was associated with fewer migraine days and shorter attacks. The review found no clear difference in the number of attacks per month or how severe they were.[8]

Autism

Research on CoQ10 in autistic children is limited. One study reported improvements in sleep and digestive symptoms in some children who took CoQ10. More research is needed to know whether these benefits are reliable.[9]

Muscle aches while taking statins

Researchers have studied whether CoQ10 supplements can ease muscle aches in people taking statins. Some trials found less pain with CoQ10, while others found no clear benefit [10]. The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association do not recommend routinely taking CoQ10 to prevent or treat these symptoms [11]. If you develop muscle pain while taking a statin, talk with your prescriber before making changes to your medication.

Are there any risks of taking CoQ10 supplements?

Most people tolerate CoQ10 well. When side effects occur, they are usually mild and may include nausea, an upset stomach, or diarrhea. You can check side effects and interactions on drugs.com. CoQ10 may make warfarin less effective at preventing blood clots. If you take warfarin, check with the healthcare professional who manages it before starting CoQ10.[12]

You should also be aware that just like with all other supplements, CoQ10 is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of any medical condition. The FDA does not approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed.[13] [14]

Do you need a supplement? Most probably not.

Getting older, by itself, is no reason to start CoQ10. If you’re considering it for a specific problem, ask what improvement you could reasonably expect. For migraine, that might mean fewer days in pain. For muscle aches while taking a statin, the better first step is a conversation with your prescriber.

References:

[1] Gutierrez-Mariscal FM, Yubero-Serrano EM, Villalba JM, Lopez-Miranda J. Coenzyme Q ₁₀ : From bench to clinic in aging diseases, a translational review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(14):2240-2257. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1442316