Taking coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) regularly offers potential health benefits. Research supports its role in energy production and as a powerful antioxidant.
CoQ10 may positively impact your heart health. I might help lower high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker linked to heart disease risk.
In a 2018 study, people with heart disease who took CoQ10 for 12 weeks showed a decrease in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Dosages ranged from 30-300 milligrams per day, with 175 milligrams as the median dose.1..To Read The Full Content; Tap Here Now .
CoQ10 may also prevent heart damage caused by certain chemotherapy drugs, like doxorubicin.2
A 2021 review of six studies showed that people with migraine who took a CoQ10 supplement for three months had improvements in their headaches.3
The severity of their headaches did not subside, but the length of their attack shortened. They also had fewer headaches compared to those who took a placebo.3
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain throughout the body as well as fatigue and sleep problems. CoQ10 has the potential to decrease pain, fatigue, and morning tiredness in patients with fibromyalgia. Even the depression and anxiety often associated with the condition may be improved with supplementation.4
One study found that CoQ10 can significantly improve most pain-related outcomes by 24% to 37%. This reduction in pain could also help improve the quality of life and daily functioning for people with fibromyalgia.5
Erectile dysfunction is when you have a problem getting and keeping an erection. A study that included 230 people found that CoQ10 supplementation may help with erectile dysfunction (ED). These individuals also had hypertension, or high blood pressure.6
Everyone took 200g of CoQ10 a day for three months, along with their hypertension medication. Those with mild ED saw improvements in their ED, with 20.1% no longer experiencing any symptoms. Those with moderate to severe ED did not experience such an impact.6
Controlling blood sugar (glucose) and insulin levels is an important part of preventing and managing diabetes. CoQ10 might help keep those levels in check. For example, it has been shown to help control blood sugar and improve cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes.7
A review of 40 past studies showed that CoQ10 reduced both fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels. CoQ10 also reduced HbA1C, which is your average blood sugar over the last three months. Among all the studies, the doses ranged from 100mg to 900mg a day. The supplement was used anywhere from four weeks to six months.8
CoQ10 is available in tablets, capsules, soft gels, and a liquid oral supplement in formulations from 30mg to 600mg. Topical over-the-counter versions are also available, though research on this type of use is limited.9
Dosage
There isn’t a minimum or maximum effective CoQ10 dosage. How much you take may be based on the underlying condition you are trying to help.10
For instance, daily doses of 100mg to 400mg have been used in heart-related studies. Doses of 600mg up to 3,000mg have been used when treating neurodegenerative diseases.10
Talk with a healthcare provider to determine the right amount of CoQ10 to take based on your health history, health needs, and any medications or supplements you may be taking. Make sure also to read the product’s dosage instructions.
CoQ10 is generally considered safe for adults, though it is generally not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.9 In any case, you should consult with a healthcare provider before starting the supplement.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved CoQ10 as a treatment for any particular condition. It is still a commonly available and recommended supplement.9
Potential Drug Interactions
Research indicates that CoQ10 may interact with some drugs and make them less effective. For this reason, it is important to share your medications and supplements with a healthcare provider before starting something new.
CoQ10 has been found to make the following medications less effective:11
Insulin, a diabetes medication
Some cancer drugs
Warfarin, a blood-thinning medication sold under the brand names Coumadin and Jantoven
What To Look For
The FDA doesn’t regulate supplements the same way it does medications. In fact, the FDA does not determine whether a dietary supplement is safe or effective before it hits shelves.12
For this reason, it is important to look for supplements that have been third-party tested by an independent organization. Some of the most notable organizations include NSF International, U.S. Pharmacopeia, and ConsumerLab.13
While these groups test supplements to make sure they are made properly and contain the ingredients listed on the label, this doesn’t automatically guarantee that the supplements are safe or effective for you.13 You still need to discuss their use with a healthcare provider.
If you have allergies, you should ensure that common allergens are not included. People with allergies and asthma need to pay particularly close attention to the label. They also stress that just because a label says “natural,” it does not mean it is safe.14
Can You Take Too Much CoQ10?
While it is possible to take too much of any supplement, CoQ10 tends to be very well-tolerated, even at high doses. Research indicates that toxicity is unlikely, even up to a daily intake of 1,200mg. Keep in mind that most studies have used typical dosages of 100mg to 200mg a day, though.9
Research indicates that CoQ10 is likely safe when used as intended. In fact, no serious side effects have been reported. You may still experience mild side effects such as insomnia or digestive issues, including upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.11
For instance, one study found that people who took 100mg or higher of CoQ10 each day for migraine experienced insomnia. Another study found that liver enzymes were elevated in people taking 300mg or more per day, but there was no liver toxicity.9
While rare, other side effects may include:9
Dizziness
Fatigue
Headache
Heartburn
Sensitivity to light