Ought I to Take a CoQ10 Supplement?

(SeaPRwire) –   Coenzyme Q10 might sound like an invention of skilled pharmaceutical researchers—but this fat-soluble, vitamin-like compound is produced naturally by the human body, and it plays key roles in core bodily processes by supporting enzyme function. “CoQ10 is also known as ubiquinone—a name tied to ‘ubiquitous,’ which means ‘everywhere’—because it exists in very low concentrations in nearly all plant and animal cells,” says Dr. David L. Katz, a preventive medicine specialist and former president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.  

CoQ10 supports production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s main source of energy, which is made inside mitochondria, the powerhouses of human cells. “CoQ10 also acts as an antioxidant, and in that role it shields cells and mitochondria from damage,” Katz explains. Research shows CoQ10 can counteract the harmful effects of oxidative compounds—thus protecting cell membranes—while also boosting blood flow and protecting blood vessels. 

 Beyond being made naturally in the body, CoQ10 can also be obtained from foods including meats, fatty fish (such as salmon and sardines), nuts, and certain oils. The body does not need large amounts of it. “For people who are young, healthy, and eat a balanced diet, there is little evidence that extra CoQ10 from supplements provides meaningful benefits,” says Candace Pumper, a staff dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

 That said, some people can benefit from getting more CoQ10. “Natural CoQ10 levels peak in early adulthood and decline gradually over time,” Pumper explains. “Lower CoQ10 levels are also linked to a range of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, fibromyalgia, and neurodegenerative disorders.”

 This does not mean every person above a certain age or with a specific health condition should take CoQ10 supplements. One key complicating factor: “Because blood tests cannot reliably measure how much CoQ10 is actually inside cells, true deficiencies are hard to confirm,” says Pumper. “When low levels are suspected, healthcare providers may recommend supplementation based on a person’s overall health and the best available research.”

Who might benefit from taking CoQ10?

Given how widespread CoQ10 is in the body and the many functions it serves, it can potentially impact multiple organ systems and health conditions. But in many cases, claims about the benefits of CoQ10 supplements (such as slowing aging or boosting athletic performance, for example) are overstated.

“The clearest benefit of CoQ10 is seen in congestive heart failure, where studies show it improves heart function and lowers mortality,” says Katz. “By boosting energy production in cells and protecting mitochondria, CoQ10 can raise overall energy levels” or even help the heart pump more effectively.

One of the most common uses of CoQ10 supplements is to ease muscle aches linked to statin drugs used to lower cholesterol. “Statins are the most widely prescribed cholesterol medication in the world, and the number one side effect is muscle soreness,” says Dr. Wahaj Aman, a cardiologist with Memorial Hermann Health System and UTHealth Houston. “The theory is that statins lower the body’s natural CoQ10 levels, so adding it as a supplement would, in theory, ease these muscle aches.”

There is solid evidence supporting the use of CoQ10 supplements to relieve statin-related muscle aches. And since the supplements are very safe, many doctors believe it is worth trying CoQ10 if you experience this issue. “I often recommend this supplement to patients who report muscle aches from statins because it carries little risk and may help,” says Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a cardiologist and clinical associate professor of medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Another potential benefit of CoQ10 is lowering blood pressure. A review of 45 randomized controlled trials, published in a 2025 issue of the International Journal of Cardiology Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention, found that CoQ10 supplementation significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (the top number of a blood pressure reading), especially when taken at daily doses below 200 mg and used for treatment courses longer than eight weeks.

There is also some evidence that CoQ10 supplementation may reduce how often migraine attacks occur, improve fasting blood sugar and insulin levels, and ease pain and fatigue from fibromyalgia.

“Because of its role in energy production, CoQ10 is also a reasonable option for any condition involving chronic fatigue or low energy,” says Katz. In fact, a meta-analysis published in a 2022 issue of Frontiers in Pharmacology found that taking coenzyme Q10 supplements had a significant effect on reducing fatigue.

The bottom line

CoQ10 supplements are widely considered very safe across a range of doses. Possible side effects include nausea, reduced appetite, diarrhea, and insomnia, “which is why some people advise taking it in the morning rather than at night,” Aman adds.

If you do decide to take CoQ10, you will need plenty of patience, because  “results won’t show up overnight,” says Kristin Gustashaw, an advanced clinical dietitian at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. “Research shows you should expect to take it for four weeks to four months before you notice consistent, long-lasting benefits.”

There is also concern that CoQ10 supplements can interact with certain medications. “If you’re interested in taking CoQ10, talk to your doctor about it first so they can review it alongside any other medications you take,” advises Goldberg. There is no standard universal dosage for CoQ10, so you should follow your healthcare provider’s guidance.

In particular, experts say people who take high blood pressure medications (such as beta blockers), anticoagulant drugs (such as warfarin), and some diabetes medications may be warned against taking CoQ10 or may need their medication doses adjusted to prevent unwanted interactions.

And people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer are typically advised against taking CoQ10, says Pumper. Because it is an antioxidant, CoQ10 can potentially interfere with cancer treatments designed to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells, which can reduce how effective those therapies are.

“CoQ10 isn’t a one-size-fits-all wellness supplement,” says Pumper. “Whether it is useful for any individual depends on their unique health status and guidance from a healthcare provider.”