What Does CoQ10 Do?
Quick Answer
CoQ10 is essential for cellular energy production in mitochondria and acts as an antioxidant. It's particularly important for high-energy organs like the heart. Supplementation helps: statin users (statins deplete CoQ10), heart failure patients, migraines, and possibly male fertility. Most people under 40 produce enough naturally.
Key Points
- Essential for mitochondrial energy production
- Statin users especially benefit from supplementation
- Proven for heart failure and migraine prevention
- Ubiquinol form absorbs better than ubiquinone
- Natural production declines with age
Detailed Answer
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally occurring compound crucial for energy production. Here's what it does and who benefits:
Biological function:
• Essential component of mitochondrial electron transport chain (energy production) • Every cell needs it, but heart, liver, and kidneys need the most • Also functions as a powerful antioxidant • Production declines with age (starts declining around 20, noticeable by 40)
Proven benefits:
• Statin users: Statins block the pathway that makes both cholesterol AND CoQ10. 100-200mg daily reduces statin-related muscle pain • Heart failure: Multiple trials show improved symptoms, exercise capacity, and quality of life at 100-300mg daily • Migraines: 100mg 3x daily reduces frequency and severity in several trials • Blood pressure: Modest reduction (around 10 mmHg systolic) in some studies • Male fertility: Improves sperm motility and concentration
Less proven:
• Anti-aging (theoretical, limited human evidence) • Athletic performance (mixed results) • Parkinson's disease (large trial showed no benefit)
Forms matter:
• Ubiquinol: Active form, better absorbed, recommended for over-40s • Ubiquinone: Standard form, cheaper, converts to ubiquinol in body
Evidence Quality
Multiple high-quality studies support this
Key Sources:
- reviewCoQ10 for Statin Myopathy: Meta-Analysis
- studyCoQ10 in Heart Failure: Q-SYMBIO Trial
- reviewCoQ10 for Migraine Prevention: Cochrane Review
Related Questions
Probably not, unless you're on statins. Healthy young people produce enough. Save your money unless you have a specific indication (heart issues, migraines, statin use).
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About this information: Our recommendations draw from peer-reviewed clinical trials, systematic reviews, and the same medical databases your doctor uses. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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