Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like nutrient that helps produce energy in all cells of the body. It does so by supporting the mitochondria, the tiny power plants in each of the body’s cells. Coenzyme Q10 is in fact one of the most important and modifiable factors in the production of ATP (cellular energy) in the mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction and Coenzyme Q10 deficiencies have been implicated in many conditions such as fatigue, fibromyalgia, cardiovascular problems, neurodegenerative diseases and more.

Coenzyme Q10 is also noted for its powerful antioxidant activity, and even “recharges” other antioxidants by keeping them in their reduced, active states. Doctors have been recommending Coenzyme Q10to patients on standard heart medications for the last four decades, as statin medications are known to reduce Coenzyme Q10 levels in the body.

The aging and elderly would greatly benefit from adding Coenzyme Q10 to their diet. Those dealing with cardiovascular issues or taking statin medications should speak to their doctor about supplementing with Coenzyme Q10. Athletes or those dealing with fatigue would also benefit from Coenzyme Q10 to boost energy levels.

AOR Advantage

AOR’s Coenzyme Q10 is a potent antioxidant, protecting cells from the damaging actions of free radicals that are produced as waste products during energy metabolism. Not only does it have antioxidant activity itself, it also recharges other antioxidants to keep them active.

Cardiovascular Effects
Study #1:

In a clinical trial of 109 patients with essential hypertension, patients were individually given CoQ10. Doses varied until blood levels reached >2mcg/mL. The functional status of hypertensive patients improved with the need to gradually decrease any antihypertensive pharmaceutical treatment the patient was previously taking within one to six months of CoQ10 supplementation. 51% of patients were completely taken off their antihypertensive drugs by about 4 months of CoQ10 use. Patients also showed significantly improved blood pressure measurements (both systolic and diastolic) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class status (p<0.001). Echocardiograms before and during treatment showed significant improvements in left ventricular wall thickness and diastolic function after CoQ10 supplementation.

Langsjoen P, Langsjoen P, Willis R and Folkers K. (1994). Treatment of essential hypertension with coenzyme Q10. Mol Aspects Med. 15; Suppl: S265-72

Study #2:

In this study, 26 patients with essential arterial hypertension were treated with 100mg CoQ10 for 10 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased by 17mmHg and 12mmHg, respectively (P<0.0001). Serum total cholesterol significantly decreased and serum HDL cholesterol was significantly increased after treatment as well.

Digiesi V, Cantini F, Oradei A, et al. (1994). Coenzyme Q10 in essential hypertension. Mol Aspects Med. 15 Suppl: s257-63

In a European sub-population of the Q-SYMBIO trials, patients with moderate to severe heart failure were randomized in this double-blind trial to 300mg of CoQ10 daily. Study end-points were monitored at 3-months and 2 years. The group treated with CoQ10 had significant improvements in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, NYHA classification and left ventricular ejection fraction, compared to placebo.

Mortensen AL, Rosenfeldt F, Filipiak KJ. (2019). Effect of coenzyme Q10 in Europeans with chronic heart failure: A sub-group analysis of the Q-SYMBIO randomized double-blind trial. Cardiol J. 26(2): 147-56

Effects on Fertility

Study #1: Mitochondrial function of oocytes and sperm
As women age there is a corresponding decrease in the function of oocyte mitochondria. In an animal model of reproductive aging, aged mice were treated with CoQ10 for 15 weeks. Treated mice had increased numbers of primordial, preantral and antral follicles, compared to aged-matched controls. The magnitude of ovarian reserve was statistically significant in these CoQ10-treated mice. Researchers then conducted a breeding trial and found that the reduced litter size in control animals was normalized with CoQ10 treatment. Overall, CoQ10 supplementation resulted in improved mitochondrial activity in oocytes, an increase in oocytes ovulated in aged mice and more pups born.
Ben-Meir A, Burstein E, Borrego-Alvarez A, et al. (2015). Coenzyme Q10 restores oocyte mitochondrial function and fertility during reproductive aging. Aging Cell. 14(5): 887-95

Study #2: Pretreatment with coenzyme Q10 improves ovarian response and embryo quality

In a prospective, randomized controlled study, 169 patients younger than 35 years with poor ovarian response (low AMH levels, low antral follicle counts) were randomized to 600mg daily of CoQ10, for 60 days, before entering an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Women pretreated with CoQ10 had significantly lower requirements for gonadotrophin and had higher peak levels of estradiol. The results during the IVF cycle were that treated women had an increased number of oocytes retrieved, higher fertilization rates (67%) and higher quality embryos (p<0.05). There were significantly less embryo transfers that had to be cancelled in women treated with CoQ10 (due to poor embryo development), compared to controls.

Xu Y, Nisenblat V, Cuiling L, et al. (2018). Pretreatment with coenzyme Q10 improves ovarian response and embryo quality in low-prognosis young women with decreased ovarian reserve: a randomized controlled trial. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 16(1): 29

Study #3: Effects of the reduced form of coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) on semen

In a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study, 228 men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (low sperm count, poor motility and abnormal morphology) were randomized to receive 200mg of CoQ10 daily for 26 weeks. Treatment with CoQ10 led to significant improvements in mean sperm density [28.7× 10(6)/ml in the CoQ10 group and 16.8 × 10(6)/ml in the placebo group (p = 0.005)], sperm motility [35.8% in CoQ10 group and 25.4% in placebo group (p = 0.008)] and morphology [17.6% in CoQ10 group and 14.8% in placebo group (p=0.01)]

Safarinejad MR, Safarinejad S, Shafiei N, and Safarinejad S. (2012). Effects of the reduced form of coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) on semen parameters in men with idiopathic infertility: a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized study. J Urol. 188(2): 526-31

Fibromyalgia

Study #1: Effects on fatigue and pain in Fibromyalgia
Plasma levels of ubiquinol-10 has been found to be significantly lower in patients with juvenile fibromyalgia compared to healthy controls. In a study, 10 patients with juvenile fibromyalgia were given 100mg of CoQ10 daily for 12 weeks, then placebo for 8 weeks, and then 100mg of CoQ10 again for another 8 weeks. Subjective pain intensity did not change with CoQ10 supplementation, but symptoms of chronic fatigue (measured via the Chalder Fatigue Scale) significantly improved.

Miyamae T, Seki M, Naga T, et al. (2013). Increased oxidative stress and coenzyme Q10 deficiency in juvenile fibromyalgia: amelioration of hypercholesterolemia and fatigue by ubiquinol-10 supplementation. Redox Rep. 18(1): 12-9

Study #2: Oxidative stress correlates with headache symptoms in Fibromyalgia

In a study of twenty patients with fibromyalgia and fifteen healthy controls, ten patients volunteered to supplement with 300mg daily of CoQ10 for three months. At baseline, CoQ10 and catalase levels were significantly lower in patients with fibromyalgia, and markers of oxidative stress were increased, compared to control subjects. Researchers also found a significant negative correlation between CoQ10 and catalase levels and Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) scores. There was also a significant positive correlation between oxidative stress markers and HIT-6 scores. Patients were given CoQ10 had significant improvements in HIT-6 scores, Visual Analogue Scale score, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores. Findings were statistically significant from pre- and post-treatment, and with respect to controls.

Cordero MD, Cano-Garcia FJ, Alcocer-Gomez E, et al. (2012). Oxidative stress correlates with headache symptoms in Fibromyalgia: Coenzyme Q10 effect on clinical improvement. PLoS One. 7(4): e35677

Study #3: Coenzyme Q(10) for fibromyalgia

In a case series of five patients with fibromyalgia, patients were given 300mg of CoQ10 daily for 9 months. Patients had a significant reduction in symptoms as measured on the Visual Analogue Scale and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire.

Cordero MD, Alcocer-Gomez E, de Miguel M. (2011). Coenzyme Q(10): a novel therapeutic approach for fibromyalgia? Case series with 5 patients. Mitochondrion. 11(4): 623-5